casualwriter 's review for:

Room by Emma Donoghue

3.0

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This was a difficult book for me to really get into. The narration I think being the key. Told through the view of a five year old, the story is awkward in its narrative and painful to read at times. The subject of a kidnapped woman and her child is extremely disturbing, twisted and harrowing, yet because of the chosen point of view it almost creates a disconnect because of the naive atmosphere it creates. It's a frustrating read at times because of this and it makes it difficult to emotionally connect with the characters. As much as I have some empathy for what the woman and jack go through, it's hard to view this story as more than just a bizarre goldfish bowl perspective on a unique event. I'm not sure if the author Emma was also trying to make a statement about the way our society sensationalizes crime and its victims, but if she was her point came out quite weak and muddled. Overall this story was alright, unique in a way but had the potential to be way more than it was. I wish someone would do a rewrite of this, because I can see a more effective way of getting it across.