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Room / Emma Donaghue

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Jack and his Ma live within the confines of a room 11-feet square. Their existence is quite extraordinary since this small windowless room and all its contents (Rug, Duvet, meltedy spoon, Remote, the egg snake...) is the only world Jack has ever known. Gradually the true circumstances of their confinement are revealed to the reader as Ma and Jack plan a daring escape. Their lives in the outside world present far more problems than they could have predicated and Jack somewhat disturbingly yearns for the comfort and familiarity of Room and the exclusive relationship he had with his mother. The story, told through Jack's 5-year-old voice, is thought-provoking and gripping. Of course it's fiction, but one can't help making comparisons to real-life stories such as Austrian Natascha Kampusch or another horrifying Austrian case that made headlines not so long ago. An unusual but rewarding read.

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  1. BethJanuary 15, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Just found your blog - enjoying the reviews!
    This is on my to-read list - need to get round to it!
    Beth :)

    ReplyDelete

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