“Room” by Emma Donogue is an engrossing novel narrated by a five-year-old boy named Jack. The life of a five-year-old may not seem all that intriguing, but this is no ordinary boy.
Jack and his Ma live together in an 11 by 11 room. Jack was born in this room. His mother gave birth to him on the rug, all alone, in the very same room in which they now live together. Her only visitor is her rapist, who has been holding her captive in what we learn to be a completely soundproof shed, hidden from view of any outsiders.
Jack’s story is unique and completely captivating. Just as soon as I had read the first paragraph, I was hooked. Jack believes only in what is inside the room. The rest of the world exists only in the three “planets” of TV, and Dora the Explorer is Jack’s best friend. Jack sleeps in a wardrobe, bathes in a sink and reads the same five books over and over again.
Emma Donogue knew what she was doing when choosing Jack as the narrator for this story. Jack’s voice is relatable, heartbreaking and sometimes downright hilarious. “Room” is well organized and easy to read. It is divided into four parts.
The only flaw I felt this novel had was a bit of confusing dialogue. Jack and his Ma often refer to their belongings as proper nouns, such as “Bed” for their bed and “Table” for their table. It is hard to explain out of context and also hard to read in the beginning of the novel.
After reading “Room,” I felt a new sense of freedom. I wanted to lay in the sunshine, call my mom, hug my daughter and go for a run, just because I could, all at one time. If you decide to read this novel, make sure you have the day off. You may not put it down for a while.