Scan barcode
A review by jamiesbookclub
A Room Called Earth by Madeleine Ryan
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It's a fine book. As far as literary books go, I've definitely read worse. There were a lot of things I related to as an adult women who may be on the spectrum. I love that the main character was not infantilized and even called out the infantilization she experienced. I love that she had beautiful thoughts about life, her body, philosophy, etc. And I enjoyed the juxtaposition between her thoughts and feelings versus how she is able to interact with the people around her.
I really hoped this book would focus more on the relationship she starts with "the man" (I'm just now realizing I don't thi k anybody has a name in this book). I think the concept of finding a person you can have a genuine connection with is great. Having those easy interactions where you don't feel like you're pretending to be a person, there's nothing better. But that is a very small section of the book.
The entire book is a stream of consciousness monologue that takes place over one (1) night. It got very slow and a little annoying but I could push through. Then we focused on her parents and the really cool rooms in her house a little too much. I don't see how that's relevant to anything else.
I appreciate what this book is doing bit it wasn't my cup of tea.
Also the main character is waaaayy too hippie/boho/spiritual/crystal girlie for me.
I really hoped this book would focus more on the relationship she starts with "the man" (I'm just now realizing I don't thi k anybody has a name in this book). I think the concept of finding a person you can have a genuine connection with is great. Having those easy interactions where you don't feel like you're pretending to be a person, there's nothing better. But that is a very small section of the book.
The entire book is a stream of consciousness monologue that takes place over one (1) night. It got very slow and a little annoying but I could push through. Then we focused on her parents and the really cool rooms in her house a little too much. I don't see how that's relevant to anything else.
I appreciate what this book is doing bit it wasn't my cup of tea.
Also the main character is waaaayy too hippie/boho/spiritual/crystal girlie for me.