This is a gem of a book by a Canadian author who won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 2010.
Donoghue’s book is very much about perspective. For five-year old Jack, his room is a wonderful place of refuge, where he could eat, sleep, play and learn. Jack is also able to create imaginary worlds’ in his room that are not possible anywhere else. He feels safe in his room. So, although the room is home to Jack, this isn’t the case for his Ma. For Ma, the room is a prison where she’s been held captive for seven long years since she was 19 years of age. She created a life for herself and her son because of the great love that she has for him in an 11 x 11 foot room. But can that room be satisfying for both of them forever?
This is a story about a strong mother-son bond and love. It’s a wonderfully intriguing and moving story. There are dark elements to the story, but it will give the reader a glimpse into a world that is simple, yet very complex too by the characters that are in it.
I recommend the book for readers of all ages. It is a book that will captivate and hold the reader spell-bound until (s)he is finished reading it.
Reviewed by: Irene S. Roth
Rating: 5 stars
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