Meet Jack. He’s five. He’s living in an 11 by 11 foot room with Ma. Sometimes, when “Old Nick” comes by for the night, Jack sleeps in the Wardrobe.
Well there you have it. That’s all I can write without revealing some plot points. So if you don’t want to spoil the story, quit reading now, go get the book and experience one of the most original, horrific, funny, suspenseful, and heart-felt novels to hit the shelves in recent years
Jack tells the story so, as readers, we know only what Jack knows. Life within the Room seems unusual but not terrible. Jack is happy in his daily regimen of exercise, watching TV (but not too much because “it rots our brains”), playing with a snake made of eggshells, coloring on toilet paper. But then there are the clues; Ma’s screams and her dislike of Old Nick. A sense of fear and dread builds as we begin to “get it” even though Jack doesn’t. They are being held captive!
The story then takes a turn and through some harrowing, thrilling pages, Ma and Jack escape the Room. But there is no “happily ever after” following such an ordeal. There is so much they have missed out on or not experienced at all, that it is overwhelming for both mother and son. Seeing the real world through Jack’s eyes is at once funny and heart-wrenching. Donoghue pulls it all together and provides an ending that is just right, both honest and satisfying.
This is a memorable book, one that you won’t be able to get out of your head for weeks. You will be sucked into Jack’s world and you will reconsider your own. For a book discussion, there are many facets to explore: familial love, discovery and rediscovery, aggression, human suffering, resilience and isolation to name a few.
Check out Donoghue's fabulous web site which features an interactive drawing of the ROOM.
