Room

A Novel

By: Emma Donoghue

Narrated by: Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Robert Petkoff, Suzanne Toren

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2010 Emma Donoghue (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The award-winning best seller that became one of the most talked about and memorable novels of the decade, Room is "utterly gripping...a heart-stopping novel" (San Francisco Chronicle).

"Emma Donoghue's writing is superb alchemy, changing innocence into horror and horror into tenderness. Room is a book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days." (Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry)

"This is a truly memorable novel, one that can be read through myriad lenses - psychological, sociological, political. It presents an utterly unique way to talk about love, all the while giving us a fresh, expansive eye on the world in which we live." ( The New York Times Book Review)

Wonderful Story

Listening to the story from a child’s perspective and voice was very macabre like. It took a long time to get to the climax of the story. The story was brilliant and riveting.

Disturbing!

Really original story, and very well written. I didn't mind the narration at all. The subject matter was unsettling for me, but didn't stop me from finishing the book! I am glad I listened.

Saw the Movie First, Still Loved the Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Room to be better than the print version?

I don't know - I think whether it's audio or print, there will be some aspects that are enhanced but some elements that are lost. I read this book to explore the linguistic impact of a child basically growing up in a bubble, and in some senses it could have helped to have time to look at the words, but also hearing them outloud helps immerse you in his life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Jack's mom - I always love survivor stories, and hers is one of incredible resilience and self-advocacy.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard any others, but I had no complaints.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What if your whole world was just one room?

Soooo Good!!

I know I shouldn't let my daughter listen... but she loved Jacks voice (she is five and has a brother named Jack). I caught her listening while I was doing the dishes and I didn't realize it. I don't think she understands the whole story... but it is kinda nice to hear her ask questions. Anytime I listen she is in there with me. There was a few bits I turned off and said we will listen later... then listened when I knew I was alone. Anyways... amazing book!!! And the little guy could be annoying if you are not used to kids... but I have three under five so what is one more little voice in the house. Jack fits right in.

Wow

At first I wondered if I would like this book but after the first hour I was hooked.
Very enjoyable. Thanks

Heart breakingly good

What made the experience of listening to Room the most enjoyable?

The narrator wasperfect!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ma because she did all that she could to make life better for Jack.

Which scene was your favorite?

when Jack realizes how small Room is.

Who was the most memorable character of Room and why?

Jack, because of his experiences you can never forget him.

Surprised by how much I liked this

I was really surprised by how much I liked this book. It stayed on my wish list for a long time, just based off of recommendations by others. But I never purchased because it just didn't seem to fit with what I would like. Boy was I wrong.

I loved this book. What a mom! I was amazed by how this mother created an entire world for her child, and kept him safe and happy, while being help captive by a maniac. Just....wow!

Loved it!

This was an absolutely fabulous listen. I loved the voices used and the story was so novel. It really made me stop and think about what it would have been like to be these characters and what I might have done in the same situation. It's been months since I read it and I still think of it now and again. It was worth a listen.

Heartbreaking

This book actually made me gasp, laugh and sob audibly. I was not expecting much based on the horrible reviews. I haven’t seen the “R” rated film. This book is not an “R” rated book, based on any actual, scenes, language or content. However, the subject is mature, and this would not be a book for a young person to read in my opinion. It does deal with rape/sexual abuse, and it is not graphic whatsoever.
The narration is predominately from a young child, and it ripped my heart out. It IS annoying at first, but as soon as you realize the enormity of the situation, everything becomes terribly clear.
The entire book was phenomenal, the way it is narrated made it come alive. (The best book I can liken it to is, “The Help.” In the manner of having narration by various characters.)
I had my family asking me what has happened as I listened, because they heard it on a speaker, and I was painting a living room. It hooked them, just from just the bits and pieces they had heard. That is how powerful the child’s voice was.

Not bad

It was difficult to get past the high-pitched pitched narration, but once I did I got hooked into the story. I'd have to say that I desire more with the ending. Too many open ends, and holes. It lacks a sense of closure.