Room
Registered by shelj7k of Blackrock, Co. Dublin Ireland on 1/16/2011
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
14 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.co.uk:
This is the story of a mother, her son, a locked room and the outside world. Jack is five and, like any little boy, excited at the prospect of presents and cake. He's looking forward to telling his friends it's his birthday, too. But although Jack is a normal child in many ways - loving, funny, bright, full of energy and questions - his upbringing is far from ordinary: Jack's entire life has been spent in a single room that measures just 12 feet by 12 feet; as far as he's concerned, Room is the entire world. He shares this world with his mother, with Plant, and tiny Mouse (though Ma isn't a fan and throws a book at Mouse when she sees him). There's TV too, of course - and the cartoon characters he thinks of as his friends - but Jack knows that nothing else he sees on the screen is real. Old Nick, on the other hand, is all too real, but only visits at night - like a bat - when Jack is meant to be asleep and hidden safely in Wardrobe. And only Old Nick has the code to Door, which is otherwise locked...Told in Jack's voice, "Room" is the story of a mother's love for her son, and of a young boy's innocence. Unsentimental yet affecting, devastating yet uplifting, it promises to be the most talked about novel of 2010.
This is the story of a mother, her son, a locked room and the outside world. Jack is five and, like any little boy, excited at the prospect of presents and cake. He's looking forward to telling his friends it's his birthday, too. But although Jack is a normal child in many ways - loving, funny, bright, full of energy and questions - his upbringing is far from ordinary: Jack's entire life has been spent in a single room that measures just 12 feet by 12 feet; as far as he's concerned, Room is the entire world. He shares this world with his mother, with Plant, and tiny Mouse (though Ma isn't a fan and throws a book at Mouse when she sees him). There's TV too, of course - and the cartoon characters he thinks of as his friends - but Jack knows that nothing else he sees on the screen is real. Old Nick, on the other hand, is all too real, but only visits at night - like a bat - when Jack is meant to be asleep and hidden safely in Wardrobe. And only Old Nick has the code to Door, which is otherwise locked...Told in Jack's voice, "Room" is the story of a mother's love for her son, and of a young boy's innocence. Unsentimental yet affecting, devastating yet uplifting, it promises to be the most talked about novel of 2010.
I was afraid that Room might have been one of those books that didn't live up to its reputation when I first started to read it. The story is told by 5-year-old Jack and I found his childish language took me a little while to get used to. However, I soon found myself gripped by this page turner.
I have offered it as a bookray and it will travel as follows:
Book One is for EU and Book Two is for the US and Canada.
Book One
01: lady-anglophile (Kuwait/Mail Intl)
02: LittleDachshund (Bulgaria/Mail EU)
03: vedranaster (Croatia/ Mail
04: silvia-pco (Portugal/Mail EU)
05: Nakipa (Portugal/Mail Int'l)
06: rodespringbal (Belgium/Mail EU)
07: Lardon (Finland/Mail Int'l)
08: Vekiki (UK/Mail UK)
09: abigailann (UK/Mail UK)
10: alexpanda85 (UK/Mail UK)
11: SudoKris (UK/Mail Int'l)
12: Angel135 (UK/Mail UK)
13: WormyOne (UK/Requests to be last)
Book Two
01: ravencat (US/Mail US or Canada)
02: collectorkerri (US/Mail US or Canada)
03: valpete (US/Mail Int'l)
04: dabercro (US/Mail US or Canada)
05: kayjay33 (Canada/Mail US or Canada)
06: mumtotwo (Canada/Mail Canada)
Please try to pass the book on within a month to six weeks, but if you need more time let me know. Enjoy!!
I have offered it as a bookray and it will travel as follows:
Book One is for EU and Book Two is for the US and Canada.
Book One
01: lady-anglophile (Kuwait/Mail Intl)
02: LittleDachshund (Bulgaria/Mail EU)
04: silvia-pco (Portugal/Mail EU)
05: Nakipa (Portugal/Mail Int'l)
06: rodespringbal (Belgium/Mail EU)
07: Lardon (Finland/Mail Int'l)
08: Vekiki (UK/Mail UK)
09: abigailann (UK/Mail UK)
10: alexpanda85 (UK/Mail UK)
11: SudoKris (UK/Mail Int'l)
12: Angel135 (UK/Mail UK)
13: WormyOne (UK/Requests to be last)
Book Two
01: ravencat (US/Mail US or Canada)
02: collectorkerri (US/Mail US or Canada)
03: valpete (US/Mail Int'l)
04: dabercro (US/Mail US or Canada)
05: kayjay33 (Canada/Mail US or Canada)
06: mumtotwo (Canada/Mail Canada)
Please try to pass the book on within a month to six weeks, but if you need more time let me know. Enjoy!!
I got the book today.. YAY!!! thank you so much
This is just an update letting you know that I still have the book. I haven't finished reading it yet because I was so busy. But, i will hog it for one more week and then I will send it out to the next person, I promise :)
AMAZING book!!! It made me cry because the story is so humanely touching. Thank You so much for sharing it with us :)
I'm ready to send it to the next person as soon as i get the mailing address.
I'm ready to send it to the next person as soon as i get the mailing address.
Mailed the book today.. safe journey, little book :)
Received the book today. I'll start reading it as soon as I finish my current read.
Posted to silvia-pco.
This book is a quick read and I liked the "second" part (after the escape) the better. Jack is a lovable character and his constant asking of questions sounds too familiar to me as my four-years old son also keeps asking me relentlessly. These questions show how Jack sees the world and it's the most valuable characteristic of the book.
Book two arrived today. Just finishing my current read and will start this one.
I was really excited to start reading this book after all the positive reviews but I must admit I am the minority here as to finding this book difficult to get interested in. Something about the way it was written with the annoying narration of broken language from five year old Jack just did not go over well with me and at times I felt it was overkill. The story was telling me the same thing over and over and I didn't feel that there was any real climax to the book. I liked Ma in Room; and I can't begin to imagine her trauma but I had a difficult time relating to her once they were free of Room. I did appreciate Grandma and Steppa who came across as understanding and sympathetic of Jack's needs outside Room. I have next person in line address and will post it next week. (Recovering from knee surgery Aug. 2) Thank you shelj7k for including me in this ray.
Sent to next person in ray (collectorkerri).
Received today. Will read ASAP.
Here it is! I'll try not to keep it for long, even considering that my Mount TBR has seen better days :) Thanks for sharing!
Wow. What a tremendously disturbing, but ultimately fascinating, book. A blurb on the front from author Audrey Niffenegger sums it up better than I could: "Room is a book to be 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."
I think I will be haunted by this book for quite awhile. It's now on its way to California for the next leg of its journey.
I think I will be haunted by this book for quite awhile. It's now on its way to California for the next leg of its journey.
I received this today and do look forward to reading it. However, I do have a few before this one and can't possibly get to it within the next 2 months. So, please let me know if you'd like me to move this along to the next reader.
My apologies for keeping this so long! The story was reminescent for the true life story of Jaycee Dugard. When I started it, I wasn't sure that I could stay with it - the writing from the view of a 5-year old was odd and jarring. However, I did get into the rhythm of the writing and found it to be an absorbing book.
I'll be sending it along to the next reader.
I'll be sending it along to the next reader.
I'm finally moving this Ray along to Dabercro. Enjoy!
Book 2 arrived in the mail yesterday. This has been on my wishlist so I'm looking forward to reading it. I should be able to start this in the next few days.
This story will linger with me for awhile. As stated by previous journalers, at first it was hard to get used to the childish language but it was well worth the effort. I also found it odd that inanimate object were referred to by a proper name instead of with "the". I did enjoy the back half of the book more after their escape. Jack, who is five, hasn't experienced anything outside of "Room". He has seen things on TV but has not even experienced fresh air. It makes me look at my environment with different eyes. Being on the "Outside" after seven years and now with a five year old, also takes a toll on "Ma".
**Kayjay33 has asked to be skipped and mumtotwo has dropped out of bookcrossing. Waiting to hear from shelj7k what she would like me to do with this copy.
**Kayjay33 has asked to be skipped and mumtotwo has dropped out of bookcrossing. Waiting to hear from shelj7k what she would like me to do with this copy.
I apologize for keeping Book 1 for so long! Mt. TBR has been hard to manage and it took me a lot more that I would want to pick this up.
I quite liked the book, specially because it tells such a different story from what I'm used to. I didn't find it so hard to get used to Jack's childish language, and it gave a more unique touch to the story, a touch of authenticity if you will. I was most gripped by the plot during Jack and Ma's Great Escape, even if, in retrospective, it would take a huge deal of luck for a 5-year-old to perform such a task.
I found the whole story after the escape very interesting as well. To me, the ending suited the plot well, and was a good way of wrapping up such a strange tale.
Nakipa is currently unavailable to get the book, as she will be out at sea working until August. If you can, shelj7k, please be so kind as to put her on the bottom of the list :) I have contacted rodespringbal and I'm currently waiting for her answer.
Thanks for sharing!
I quite liked the book, specially because it tells such a different story from what I'm used to. I didn't find it so hard to get used to Jack's childish language, and it gave a more unique touch to the story, a touch of authenticity if you will. I was most gripped by the plot during Jack and Ma's Great Escape, even if, in retrospective, it would take a huge deal of luck for a 5-year-old to perform such a task.
I found the whole story after the escape very interesting as well. To me, the ending suited the plot well, and was a good way of wrapping up such a strange tale.
Nakipa is currently unavailable to get the book, as she will be out at sea working until August. If you can, shelj7k, please be so kind as to put her on the bottom of the list :) I have contacted rodespringbal and I'm currently waiting for her answer.
Thanks for sharing!
Journal Entry 22 by dabercro at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (5/2/2012 UTC) at ~~~ ♥ ~~~ A Friend ~~~ ♥ ~~~, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
BOOK TWO
I have had no response from shelj7k so I have decided to move this book along to another bookcrosser. Sending to Aberpeter in WA.
I have had no response from shelj7k so I have decided to move this book along to another bookcrosser. Sending to Aberpeter in WA.
Book 1 is on its way to rodespringbal as of Friday. Enjoy!
Thank you dabercro
Journal Entry 25 by 
rodespringbal
at Moerbeke-Waas, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Monday, May 14, 2012
rodespringbal at Moerbeke-Waas, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Monday, May 14, 2012
BOOK 1 is with me now but... it will have to wait, still 2 ringbooks before this one.
So I hope to send it as soon as possible after reading.
So I hope to send it as soon as possible after reading.
What a powerful book! Room not only tells the story of a kidnapped woman and the son she bore in captivity but also makes one appreciate all the small things taken for granted everyday. I have to admire Ma's determination and will to create a better life for Jack, although she does make a decision that seemed very out of character for her, that decision felt very plot driven. These characters, especially Jack, are going to live with me for quite some time.
Journal Entry 27 by rodespringbal at Moerbeke-Waas, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Monday, July 16, 2012
rodespringbal at Moerbeke-Waas, Oost-Vlaanderen / Flandre Orientale Belgium on Monday, July 16, 2012
Book 1 is finished :-) such a lovely and wonderfull read. I enjoyed every moment of the story of Jack, well written and lively like you could imagine been in the ROOM yourself.
Will go to Lardon when I have the address.
Thanks shelj7k for hosting :-)
Will go to Lardon when I have the address.
Thanks shelj7k for hosting :-)
Received the book 1 today - thank you! :) I try to be quick!
I posted the book today to abigailann as Vekiki had already found the book elsewhere. I enjoyed the book a lot, although at times I had to put the book down not get too emotional. I liked Jack's voice, all the details a 5-year-old sees and the questioning of adult rationale. Thank you for the experience! This was the first book ray I took part in.
Journal Entry 30 by abigailann at Abingdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 11, 2012
Had totally forgotten I was on this ray, so a lovely surprise.
I have quite a few books to read at the moment, but will get to it asap
Book Two:
adding to the Read and Journaled Bookbox
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/10140636
adding to the Read and Journaled Bookbox
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/10140636
Chosen from Aberpeter's Read and Journaled bookbox
It's hard to say you "enjoyed" a book about captivity and its consequences, but this certainly earned a place on anyone's list of books to be respected and remembered. I can sympathize with ravencat's struggle with the nonstop 5-year-old language - it can get very irritating very fast. Which only increased my admiration for his Ma, who tolerated it with love, and with NO other human outlet but her captor.
Incidentally, I keep being astounded at how perceptive, determined and smart she was. She foresaw the consequences of the captor losing his job even before he did. With almost no resources, she kept planning and attempting escape until she succeeded. All this while educating Jack and keeping him healthy and exercised.
Donoghue really does a great job of showing us the world only through Jack's eyes, which gets downright heartbreaking when he doesn't want to abandon the only home he's known for a completely unknown world. It's another tribute to Ma that he's eventually as willing to learn and grow as she is. A wonderful story!
Incidentally, I keep being astounded at how perceptive, determined and smart she was. She foresaw the consequences of the captor losing his job even before he did. With almost no resources, she kept planning and attempting escape until she succeeded. All this while educating Jack and keeping him healthy and exercised.
Donoghue really does a great job of showing us the world only through Jack's eyes, which gets downright heartbreaking when he doesn't want to abandon the only home he's known for a completely unknown world. It's another tribute to Ma that he's eventually as willing to learn and grow as she is. A wonderful story!
Journal Entry 34 by JudySlump612 at By hand, by hand -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, December 8, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (12/8/2013 UTC) at By hand, by hand -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Shared with quietorchid at the Twin Cities meetup
JudySlump612 passed this on to me at the Twin Cities Meet-up.
The first part of the book was great. Told from the perspective of Jack, we see Room as a world. We see Ma as a complex individual, not always understandable to Jack, but trying her best in an impossible situation. While the childish language was occassionally off-putting, it works to strengthen the narrative of Room.
The story falls apart once they leave Room. Where is the child advocate? Where is the Guardian ad litem? Ma clearly understood she needed help after her experiences, so why was Jack left out? He's been OUTSIDE six times, his mother has been incapacitated by depression, and the hospital staff lets Jack go out to the Mall and to a Museum with his Uncle who he hasn't spent time with? And Jack goes? I found that unbelievable. He comes back to the hospital and discovers Ma comatose, he now has new cuts on his hand from his Aunt, and the Hospital turns him over to his Grandmother who he has always refused to touch?
I tried to go along with the narrative, but as the story veered further from any possible reality, I found Jack's childish voice as the narrator more and more forced and unbelievable. It was an excellent book until they left Room, and that is sad, leaving me to throw away any insights I might have garnered from the first part of the book in the wake of the second part.
Ah well, what is life but diversity, and everyone liking the same book would also be boring and unbelievable. I will save this and bring it to the next Meet-up for another reader.
The first part of the book was great. Told from the perspective of Jack, we see Room as a world. We see Ma as a complex individual, not always understandable to Jack, but trying her best in an impossible situation. While the childish language was occassionally off-putting, it works to strengthen the narrative of Room.
The story falls apart once they leave Room. Where is the child advocate? Where is the Guardian ad litem? Ma clearly understood she needed help after her experiences, so why was Jack left out? He's been OUTSIDE six times, his mother has been incapacitated by depression, and the hospital staff lets Jack go out to the Mall and to a Museum with his Uncle who he hasn't spent time with? And Jack goes? I found that unbelievable. He comes back to the hospital and discovers Ma comatose, he now has new cuts on his hand from his Aunt, and the Hospital turns him over to his Grandmother who he has always refused to touch?
I tried to go along with the narrative, but as the story veered further from any possible reality, I found Jack's childish voice as the narrator more and more forced and unbelievable. It was an excellent book until they left Room, and that is sad, leaving me to throw away any insights I might have garnered from the first part of the book in the wake of the second part.
Ah well, what is life but diversity, and everyone liking the same book would also be boring and unbelievable. I will save this and bring it to the next Meet-up for another reader.
Journal Entry 36 by quietorchid at Gingko Coffee Shop - Snelling And Minnehaha in Saint Paul, Minnesota USA on Sunday, February 2, 2014
Released 10 yrs ago (2/2/2014 UTC) at Gingko Coffee Shop - Snelling And Minnehaha in Saint Paul, Minnesota USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Left on the shelf to find a new reader!
Welcome to Bookcrossing, where Books roam freely! I hope you enjoy the book, and leave a journal entry so I can see where the book ended up. You can remain anonymous if you'd like, or join and follow the book's travels throughout the world. The site is free, secure, and non-spamming. Take a look around, and then go read!
P.S. If the book is too good to read and release, that's okay, you can keep it, just let me know that it's found a good home!
Welcome to Bookcrossing, where Books roam freely! I hope you enjoy the book, and leave a journal entry so I can see where the book ended up. You can remain anonymous if you'd like, or join and follow the book's travels throughout the world. The site is free, secure, and non-spamming. Take a look around, and then go read!
P.S. If the book is too good to read and release, that's okay, you can keep it, just let me know that it's found a good home!
