Comments on: Room, Emma Donoghue (a guest review by Mumsy)

By: Room by Emma Donoghue « Page247

Room by Emma Donoghue « Page247 — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:24:47 +0000

[…] Jenny’s Books (Guest Review) […]

By: Alyce

Alyce — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:55:51 +0000

I am of the same thought as you – I don’t know if it’s one I’ll ever read. I’ve heard so many good things though that I’m half-tempted.

By: Mumsy

Mumsy — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:48:01 +0000

In reply to Nishita. Y'all are so kind. I really think "what the book's about" is less about abuse and sexual cruelty than about the power of love to shelter innocence and to save our lives. Truly, it is not graphic, and it is equal parts bright and dark. Jack is so endearing! The parts about Ma and Jack re-encountering the world are completely fascinating.

By: Nishita

Nishita — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 07:40:06 +0000

Your mum writes so well. She’s built up such an atmosphere with this review.

This book has been nominated for a Booker as well, so I definitely do want to read it. I am just not sure that I am prepared to getting so disturbed.

I find it very difficult to read stories of abuse (especially when children are involved). From this review, I gather this is what the book deals with?

By: Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:03:47 +0000

This is a really great review! I like your point about how a child narrator makes the adult conversations even more terrible. Sounds like a tough read, but a good one too.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:11:29 +0000

I haven’t picked this one up yet because it looked a little too violent and a little too sad. Glad to hear that’s not the case. I’ll have to see if I can find a copy. Great review Mumsy!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:52:01 +0000

I hope to read this one day, but probably not for awhile. I’ve just seen it in so many places that I’m trying to wait until my expectations have tempered a bit…

By: sadiejean

sadiejean — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:43:04 +0000

Agree with your great review! Thanks so much! I had trouble like zibilee with Jack’s voice at first; I was groaning that the narration was going to get old and obnoxious real fast. But then the story hooked me and it became a truly remarkable read. No one should be afraid to read it! It is not dark, and the love between the son and mom is beautifully written.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:50:48 +0000

What a terrific review! I felt much the same way as you did about this book, and couldn’t pull myself away from it. Although I had a little trouble with Jack’s voice in the beginning, I grew to love it, and him. I am so glad you loved it too!

By: litlove

litlove — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:29:48 +0000

What a lovely review! I join all the wimps in the corner who are too scared to read this book. I fear it will tear me into little sobbing shreds. But I’m enjoying reading other people’s thoughts on it!