One of my book club’s May selection is Room. I also had the added bonus of my friend getting tickets to see the author, Emma Donoghue speak last Friday. In addition to the many best of and award lists it has made, I was really excited for this novel.
And for good reason. It was excellent. There aren’t too many books that I appreciate so throughly that I will talk to strangers about, but this is one of them.
It is the story of Jack and his mother, told from Jack’s 5 year-old perspective. And though I was slightly concerned I would find it annoying, I didn’t. At all. His mother was kidnapped at the age of 19 and gives birth to him while held in captivity. Somehow, she is able to be not only a capable mother, but quite a good one. I really don’t want to give anything away so I will leave the book description as that. I will say there were several giggle moments and several gasping moments, plus a few things that almost surprised me in the sense that I didn’t consider them at all.
I’d read in the back of the paperback version (which just came out) that the author intended for the audience to be 11+. I was a little surprised when I read that as I felt it was for a much more mature audience. My Peanut is 11. However, the more I think about it, the more I can see where Ms. Donogue is coming from. I think my daughter and I could have some really good discussions after she reads it.
I read this in about 2 days and was shocked to realize it was 330ish pages. I cannot recommend it enough. It is not a light book, so be prepared for that. And it will definitely make you think. Deeply.
And to round out the whole experience, we went to her talk last week. Rainy Day Books brought her to Kansas City. I loved her Irish accent and bright red hair. I also loved how down to earth she is. She spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions for about 45 more. I worked up the nerve to shout one out which had to do with the role of Christianity. I don’t think I will spoil anything by typing it. Basically I asked how she was able to balance religion in the book. There are a few references to Christianity via an art postcard on the wall of their room, churches, and saying grace. I wondered how she was able to not make it a bigger deal as in the mother feeling totally forsaken or possibly becoming a zealot. She answered that Ma’s religion wasn’t fully developed as she was still not quite an adult when abducted and that they were used more as a form of storytelling. And that Ma didn’t have room to expand her religion as her son became the sole motivation for her from the moment he was born.
To say I really liked her would be putting it mildly.
I bought one of her back catalog and am excited to dive into it. Her books are all stand alones and generally historical fiction. I had her sign the paperback of Slammerkin for me. She thought the ‘Nerdy Apple’ was fun.
“I like how books have an afterlife.” - Emma Donoghue
It sounds like a book I’d like, it’s on my list!
I’ve followed you since “the” post, and I think you’re awesome and really look up to you… I’ve written an English post, both about Storm (the “secret gender” baby), but also on my views on gender issues. I’d be absolutely honoured if you’d read it. If you commented I’d possibly die….. But it’d be a beautiful death…
http://mammaiengland.blogg.se/2011/may/the-gender-issue.html
I just finsihed this book! EXCELLENT! How lucky you were to meet the author! Super cool:)
You MUST read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! I read it when I was 8 or 9 — STILL love it! Also, if you haven’t, read James Herriot’s books, too. The author of Room was interviewd on NPR several months ago — I need to read the book!
This book is on my Kindle wish list. You ( and the other commenters) may have just convinced me to finally bite the bullet and buy it!
Both “Slammerkin” & “Life Mask” are currently on my shelf on constant reproach…I have read her collection of short stories “The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits” & it was fantastic…now “Room” is on my ever growing list! :)
Sorry completely off topic, but was wondering if you had seen this. Made me think of you.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110524/ts_yblog_thelookout/parents-keep-childs-gender-under-wraps
Room was an amazingly good story. It stayed with me a long time after finishing the book. Kind of haunting but in a really though provoking kind of way.
Loved, loved Room. Can you report back on what you think of Slammerkin?
I know you are always looking for new reads - have you read Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok? I read it yesterday morning and still can’t it out of my mind.
I read it in one sitting. I woke up at 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep. My inability to sleep probably wasn’t helped much by how engrossing and compelling the book was. Oops!
I absolutely loved this book. I also read it in about 2 days. She has such a magnificent imagination. Thanks for sharing!
I whole-heartedly agree. Absolutely loved reading Room!! And I have talked to quite a few people about it since them, encouraging them to read the book also. It is a great book, from a very unusual point of view regarding the world.
I finished this book weeks ago, and was so sad to have it come to an end. It is one of my favorites I have ever read (and I have read ALOT! It is a work of art and one that I feel honored to have read. I’m going to check out her other books. :)