Book Review: Room by Emma

I was urged by a co-worker to read this book. She gave it to me along with another book and promised I’d like them both. Each had interesting covers, both had been adapted for the screen, and I hadn’t seen either. On August 5,^th I blogged about books being adapted for the screen and Room was honorably mentioned but had never picked up the book. The other wasn’t on my radar at all. I read a few chapters of each to gage which would be better, initially, neither really caught my attention. Room is told from the perspective of a 5 year-old, it was super annoying – at first. The book that will not be named was just okay, interesting but not enough.

After the third or fourth chapter of Room, I was hooked. Jack, the point of view character, is smart for a 5 year-old, and spunky. I adore him! His interpretation of the world around him, his interaction with Ma and even Old Nick, is so cleverly written I was jealous I hadn’t written it myself.

The reader is not told that the pair, Jack and Ma, are hidden away in a room. Why? Because Jack doesn’t know it, either. “Room” is his whole world. Everything outside of this space does not exist for him.  As the story progresses, it becomes clear that things are not as grand as Jack makes them seem. The voice of Jack is remarkable. He made me want to cry, laugh out loud, and left me confused a few times (in a good way).

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a story with strong characters and great plot. Now I’m going to watch the movie and rate that on my next post.

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!