Imagine you’re a little boy named Jack. You and Ma live in an 11x11ft. space that you call Room. You have no contact with the outside world and the only other person you've seen is Old Nick. You don’t know your existence is part of a kidnapping story. You were born in captivity and Ma protects you from this reality. Room is all you know. Room is your whole world. You don’t realize that Room is a shed in Old Nick's backyard. Your only connection to the world is through television shows and the view from Skylight. You sense there’s a world out there but this leaves you confused. Then you turn five and your Ma tells you things you find hard to believe. She unlies about the outside world. Ma says the world is real and not just TV real. Do other children really exist? Is Dora the Explorer real? What about everything in your story books? Are there real Dylan the Diggers in the world? You’re curious to know more and you're imagination runs wild! You have so many questions but don’t know where to find your answers. Is there some way to get the truth? All you know is Door is the only way out of Room.
You might think this subject matter is too dark and depressing for you to read but don’t get the wrong impression. In Room author Emma Donoghue tells a tragic story but she does it with such sensitivity that she leaves the reader with a feeling of hope, not horror. Jack is a funny and loveable character who sees everything through child’s eyes. Ma does a good job shielding Jack from the whole truth. Room is a tribute to the enduring bond between mother and child. I won’t tell you what happens to Jack, his Ma or the despicable Old Nick. That’s for you to read and discover dear reader.
I suggest you check out Emma Donoghue's website, view the book trailer and take a tour of the interactive Room.
Chapters Indigo recently asked readers to nominate their favorite book for 2010 and Room came out on top as the most recommended by readers. You can read more about Room being chosen as the Indigo Fan Choice. Room has also been put on the longlist for the 2010 Man Booker Prize. You can check out the great deal on Room in Chapters.ca and note that Room has become a Heather's Pick. Room is also available as an eBook on Kobo.
Like Chapters Indigo on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChaptersIndigo
Follow Chapters Indigo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chaptersindigo
BOOKALICIOUS BOOK GRAB GIVEAWAY
To celebrate the success of Room, Chapters Indigo has graciously offered copies of Room to three lucky Bookalicious readers who leave a comment below suggesting their favorite book published in 2010.
Yummy Rules and Regs: You must be a Yummy Mummy Club member to win. Click to sign up! It's free and filled with perks. One comment per member. Entries accepted until Friday, November 26th, 2010. Contest open to Canadian residents only. Winners will be picked using www.random.org.
Good luck!
Relish reading,
Wanda Lynne Young
Bookalicious: Newsletter
Twitter: @YMCbookalicious
Facebook: wanda.lynne.young
Facebook: Bookalicious Fan Page
Website: Bookalicious
Printer-friendly version