Room – Emma Donoghue
Room by Emma Donahue is not for the weak-hearted, emotionally I mean. I had read this book quite a while ago and at that time I was not a parent and yet it was a bit hard for me. I am not sure if I will be able to read it today. The theme of the book is not unique, as I have also read a few other novels based on similar incidents that took place in the USA where a young woman was abducted and kept in confinement for years.
The uniqueness of this book is due to the way it has been written. It’s a story seen through the eyes of a 5-year child and how human perception can change due to the environment he is brought up in. I can’t ever imagine any child going through such an experience and some parts are simply heartbreaking.
The first few pages of the book were a bit confusing for me and I was not able to understand what was going on but then you realize the situation that the child is in and it’s then that the story hits you. The book though ends on a happy note with the protagonists escaping and being in the real world again but I am somehow left with doubts on whether they will recover from the trauma of the experience that they went through especially Jack and how they will cope up with the real world that they discover.
This is definitely not one of those books that you read and forget about but one that will haunt you for quite a while. My only advice ..Do keep a box of tissues handy.
If you are someone who prefers a visual medium for stories, the good news is this book has been made into a movie with the same name.
Recommended Reading Age for this book is: 18+