Official Book Club Discussion: Room by Emma Donoghue

absolutelymaybe · July 2014

Since no one has posted this yet, I figured I'd get this going. It seems like several of us our eager to discuss this month's book club selection, Room by Emma Donogue.

I've never been in a book club before and not exactly sure how this should go. I looked up some sample questions (below) if anyone is struggling on what to write. Otherwise, I'm assuming it's a free for all.

Is the book believable?
What is the book’s greatest strength or most serious flaw?
Did this book shock or disturb you?
If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be?
What other books that you have read could this one be compared to?
Would you recommend this book to someone else?

mb314 · July 2014

I read this book like 3 years ago, and loved it. I wasn't the parent at the time, and think I may have had a different take on it if I had read it after having DS. In any case, I find that it is a book that has stuck with me. For instance, if I'm in a windowless doctor's room, I think about what it would be like to be stuck in a room like that, with a child, for years (ugh, how awful). I really enjoyed the child psychology aspect of it - like how the boy had a hard time adjusting at first to things like grass and not being in the same room as his mom, and how he really wanted to go back to the Room.

I admire that the mom limited TV. I think if it were me, I would just have the TV on all day. And I think her decision to not tell her son about the outside world was an interesting one - not necessarily one I would make, but I see why she did it (more so now that I"m a mom).

In any case:

Is the book believable? Yes, I think so.

What is the book’s greatest strength or most serious flaw? I think it's greatest strength is the child psychology aspect of it (not that I know anything about child psychology, but I found it to be the most interesting). I think it's most serious flaw is the inconsistent tone. The beginning starts out in the boy's voice, and it written like a child, which is really annoying, but that voice changes. Did this book shock or disturb you? I wouldn't say shock, but it is disturbing. I think that's why it's stuck with me. If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be? I think disturbing fits well. What other books that you have read could this one be compared to? Hmmmm.. can't think of anything off the top of my head. Would you recommend this book to someone else?yes. I recommended it to my other book club.

absolutelymaybe · July 2014

Note: I listened to the audiobook version.

Review: I would give this book 3.5/5 stars (average - 4 stars for the first half and 3 for the second half)

From the synopsis, I knew Room was told from the perspective of a five-year-old, but all that entailed didn’t quite sink in until about 30 seconds into the audiobook. I mean, we’re not talking about an adult version of a kid – proper grammar but with a juvenile take on life – but like an actual five-year-old wrote it, improper grammar, poor sentence structure and all.

All I could think was, “Shoot. Me. Now. Is this what I have to look forward to in five years?” and I officially banished the idea of going on any long road trips with the twins – or at least not without a roll of duct tape.

As the story progressed, my annoyance with Room’s juvenile narrator, Jack, lessened. Or maybe I just got used to it? I felt myself bonding more with “Ma” – sympathizing with her horrific experience of kidnapping and imprisonment and being in awe of how she managed to not only survive the ordeal, but actually create such a positive environment for Jack to grow up in.

The first part of the book with its world building (or room building?) and lead up to the escape was great. I think it was a little too short, though. Maybe it’s because I’m used to reading suspense/mystery books, but I thought there would be more of a struggle to escape or that we hadn’t seen the last of “Old Nick”? I kept thinking, “That was too easy.”

The second half of the book, which focused on Jack’s integration into society, just got tiring. Perhaps if I was more into child psychology, it would’ve been more interesting? I just felt like I was reading the same things over and over again – especially his preference for breast feeding. (I’d actually read other people complain about it in reviews when I was about half way done with the book and I thought, “Oh, it’s not that bad.” No, it gets old. We get it. Kid likes the boob – the left one, specifically.)

Overall, I’d say it was OK. I felt like I should’ve been getting more out of it than I did. I’m glad I read it, though, because it was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not quite sure I’d recommend it to anyone else. I don’t think I know anyone who would enjoy it and I just didn’t think it was that earth-shatteringly awesome.

Lilwatz · July 2014

I'll write more later, but I agree with everyone else. My brief synopsis of my thoughts while reading the book were identical to when I read Wicked.

"This is weird."

"But I am really starting to like it."

"I'm so bored."

"It's over?"

sweetbabyrahe · July 2014

I read this book a few years ago and just re read it. I think I enjoyed it more the second time, maybe because DS is older now and I can identify more with some of the motherhood aspect. The parts about trying to protect your kid no matter what and trying to explain the world to them in a way they can understand- I could identify with that.

Is the book believable? For the most part. I think the before part is although it would take a tremendous amount of strength for Ma to keep his so happy, educated, exercised, healthy, etc. I think the after/reintegration is believable too, but I agree with pp-the escape was not- to easy for a plan of two days.

What is the book’s greatest strength or most serious flaw? Maybe this will be an UO but I think the greatest strength was that it was written from Jack's perspective. It allowed it to be more about his relationship with Ma and coping with the crazy outside world.

Did this book shock or disturb you? A little disturbing because these situations happen and that is scary to me.

If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be? Thought-provoking

What other books that you have read could this one be compared to? Not so much in content but the way they tend to make me think- books by Jodi
picoult

Would you recommend this book to someone else? Yes and I have many times.

JSwinford · July 2014

flutterbuggie said:

I'll write more later, but I agree with everyone else. My brief synopsis of my thoughts while readinf the book were identical to when I read Wicked.

"This is weird."
"But I am really starting to like it."
"I'm so bored."
"It's over?"
Ha I love that you compared it to Wicked! I had such a hard time getting into that book but I ended up enjoying it. Not enough to read all the other books in the series though. :P

THIS. I liked Room, but it took me a while to get used to the style of writing. I liked that it was told from Jack's point of view. I wouldn't say this book shocked me, but it was disturbing. I was disappointed in the escape...I don't think it would be that easy in reality. I have recommended this book a few times and would recommend it again. (Off topic: I have been trying to read Wicked for YEARS and I just can't get into it.)

Dimples0101 · July 2014

I agree with a lot of what PPs said. First, I really liked the book. But, I also had a hard time getting into it because of the way it was written. I had to reread many lines, but eventually I got used to the writing and really appreciated that the book was from Jack's perspective. When it came time for the escape, I thought there was no way they would pull it off because the book is only half way over. I never even considered how Jack would handle the outside world. It really made me think. It's like raising a child all over again. All of the things they had to teach Jack about the outside world, you teach all children, but a lot of times other children have a sense of the world before you begin teaching these life lessons.

Looking at the situation from the outside, I was very impressed with Ma for all that she did for Jack when the were in Room, but I was very disappointed when she tried to commit suicide. I have been lucky enough to never suffer from depression up until this point and obviously I have never been through anything as traumatic as she did, so I found it very hard to relate to. I was just thinking, how could you do that to your child? I unfortunately knew a couple of people who committed suicide that had children and I just cannot make sense of the decision. I was so happy that she was okay because I cannot imagine the effect that would have had on Jack.

Also looking from outside of the situation, I sometimes felt frustrated with Jack's grandmother and aunt and uncle. I felt that they shrugged off his concerns at times and didn't necessarily understand the scope of what he was going through. Again, this is from the outside looking in, where it is so much easier to say oh, I would have done this or that instead. But, I loved Steppa. He seemed very real and fun while being no-nonsense.

I would definitely recommend this book. It wasn't like any book I've read before, but I really enjoyed it.

rsmall326 · July 2014

I too was skeptical about the narrator being a five year old but I so quickly fell in love in with him. I think the author did a terrific job of putting us into his mind set. Overall I think it was a really good book completely unlike anything I've ever read and yes I would recommend it.

Lilwatz · July 2014

I left feeling very unsatisfied. I am not sure I would recommend it to people, actually. Well, I might, but with caveats that although it is a fresh new idea and makes you think I did not love it.

I really enjoyed learning about their world in Room and how the author told the truth in bits and pieces throughout that section. I found myself always wanting Jack to tell me more completely normal things to him that illuminate how his mom got there and what Old Nick was really doing.

I found the escape a good read. Although I agree it was unbelievable that it was so easy, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I definitely found the assimilation into the real world interesting at first but it was SO long and SO detailed and SO factual. This happened. That happened. Another thing happened.

I read it on my Kindle and the book had so much material at the end (like book club discussions, etc) that it finished at something like 78%. So when I got to the end I expect another quarter of the book and was so disappointed by it. It was so abrupt. And yes, I see how it brought closure to his experience in a way, but in another way it totally left it open. I have no reason to believe that Ma has any ability to live successfully in the world, let alone to keep him safe. I don't know. I was left disappointed and not that happy with the book.

lizgrace03 · July 2014

I thought it was okay to pretty good overall. I gave it 3/5 on Goodreads, but I probably would have given it 3.5 if given the option. It was a very quick read--I finished it in two days, which was a welcome change because I just finished reading The Poisonwood Bible for my IRL Book Club, which took a WHILE to read.

Is the book believable? Well, no. Like PPs have mentioned, the escape was just too easy and convenient. Ajeet was way too helpful. I'm not sure a stranger IRL would automatically know to call the cops immediately and that the cops would be so competent and helpful. I'd like to think so, but... Anyway, I'm not sure the point of the book was to be believable, however. Somebody else mentioned the child psychology POV, and I think that makes a lot more sense as the reason the book was written, rather than as a thriller or adventure tale. I actually liked the second half of the book better (UO alert).
What is the book’s greatest strength or most serious flaw? I think the greatest strength was that it was fairly realistic in terms of explaining things from Jack's POV. I imagine this is how a child would process things. Most serious flaw was its lack of believability. I think there are a few things that could have been done to make it more realistic.
Did this book shock or disturb you? No. But like PPs mentioned, the breastfeeding thing was kind of weird and annoying.
If you had to describe this book in just one word, what would it be? Decent.
What other books that you have read could this one be compared to? It reminded me just a little of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, as being written from the perspective of a young boy.
Would you recommend this book to someone else? Yes, probably.

ETA, I thought the Grandma character was really good. She was realistic and I thought it was interesting that Jack actually seemed to make quite a bit of progress when he was staying with her, despite the way that she shrugged off some of his issues. I wonder if this was intentional on the author's part?

Jan1214 · July 2014

Warning: I'm still having trouble making paragraphs on my iPad even though people have given me pointers. I apologize in advance for the wall of text. I will limit how much I write to save your eyes. I actually measured out 11 by 11 feet so I could picture being confined in that room. It really helped me to put myself in those dimensions. I was frustrated with Jack's narration at first, but I really liked how his use of language evolved after he was exposed to more people. I thought the days when Ma was "gone" were very believable, and her suicide attempt in the second half seemed to go along with those days. I could understand that once she was able to make sure Jack was safe, the enormity of her experience would seem overwhelming. She had been holding it together for Jack. Of course, this event in the plot allowed for Jack to break away from her, so I see how the author was using it to move the plot along. The brother and SIL characters drove me crazy! Why would they ever think a trip to the mall and a museum would be a good idea? That was a stretch, as was the whole escape. It was thrilling, but I really thought there would be more to it than that. The breast feeding didn't really annoy me, but Tooth did! I was so grossed out by it, especially because it was rotten.

absolutelymaybe · July 2014

Jan1214 said:

Warning: I'm still having trouble making paragraphs on my iPad even though people have given me pointers. I apologize in advance for the wall of text. I will limit how much I write to save your eyes. I actually measured out 11 by 11 feet so I could picture being confined in that room. It really helped me to put myself in those dimensions. I was frustrated with Jack's narration at first, but I really liked how his use of language evolved after he was exposed to more people. I thought the days when Ma was "gone" were very believable, and her suicide attempt in the second half seemed to go along with those days. I could understand that once she was able to make sure Jack was safe, the enormity of her experience would seem overwhelming. She had been holding it together for Jack. Of course, this event in the plot allowed for Jack to break away from her, so I see how the author was using it to move the plot along. The brother and SIL characters drove me crazy! Why would they ever think a trip to the mall and a museum would be a good idea? That was a stretch, as was the whole escape. It was thrilling, but I really thought there would be more to it than that. The breast feeding didn't really annoy me, but Tooth did! I was so grossed out by it, especially because it was rotten.

SIL/BIL: Yes! I thought that was extremely bizarre Jack's mental health professionals (since Ma was "out" that day) would let him go off with basic strangers to a public place (the museum) and I thought it was weird BIL/SIL thought bringing him to the mall was a good idea.

Tooth: Double yes! I think I found myself gagging toward the end as he talked about sucking on his mom's rotten tooth.

lizgrace03 · July 2014

Ew, I totally forgot about Tooth until now. Icky!!!

Jan1214 · July 2014

^^ Tooth almost ruined the book for me.

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