Room by Emma Donoghue

For my November book club book we read Room by Emma Donoghue.  I unfortunately didn't make it to the meeting to discuss the book.  But I REALLY enjoyed it.  I wasn't sure how I would feel about it because the book tells a fairly dark story.  The way Donoghue tells the story is pretty genius and made the book a very good read.

Room is about a woman who is abducted and held for 7 years.  During the time of her captivity she gives birth to a little boy, Jack.    I don't remember ever learning the actual name of the woman who was abducted, but I could be wrong. Jack simply refers to her as "mom".  Jack and Mom are held in an 11x11 storage shed in the abductor's backyard. The abductor provides basic needs such as food and clothing, and even provides SOME entertainment such as television and books.  The book really reaches a climax when Mom devises a plan of escape which puts the 5 year old Jack in the spotlight.

I don't want to reveal whether or not they escape or not.  Check out the book!

The thing I really loved about this book is that it shows the love a mother has for a child. Jack was conceived out of HORRIBLE circumstances.  But his mom loved him unconditionally.  Mom does the best she can for Jack given her situation.  She has raised Jack to believe that "Room" (the name she and Jack have given their living area) is it's own world. She tells him that what he sees on television isn't real so that Jack doesn't realize the horrible situation he is in.  She does her best to have a school environment for him.  She has "gym" classes to provide Jack the physical development and exercise he needs.  Where many women would have wanted nothing to do with a child conceived out of rape Mom loves her child endlessly.   She counts Jack as a blessing, convinced that if it weren't for Jack she quite possibly would have been killed by her abductor already. Jack helps her from going crazy in this small room and gives her a reason to live and try to find a way to escape.

As you can tell from my short summary this book covers some dark subject matter.  If you are looking for a fun, easy-going read I would shy away from this.  But if you are looking for a great story that reads very quickly and keeps you on the edge of your seat I would DEFINITELY pick this up.   I seriously loved it a lot more than I thought I would.

Up next for my book club is The Martian by Andy Weir.  I am hopefully picking up the book this weekend so I can get started on this read.  I am still plugging along with The Little Women Letters as well.  I keep forgetting to bring the book home from work so that limits when I can read it.  Plus. . . Netflix.  I've been feeling really lazy and have been turning the tv on more than reading the past couple weeks.  Hopefully that changes.  Reading is SO much better for the brain.

Until next time!

~Tara