AudioBook Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

Room by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jack is five years old and to him Room is his entire world. He lives in Room with his Ma, Joy, and calls each inanimate object by it's name, toilet, sink, table, plant, etc. What Jack doesn't know is that his Ma was kidnapped 7 years ago and was brought to Room and hasn't left since. No one knows she is there and no one knows Jack exists. When Joy decides it's time to make a great escape, she has to tell Jack about the outside world. Up until now, he has thought everything outside of Room was only on TV. He doesn't know that there are really other people and a great big world outside the walls of Room. Will the plan Joy has mapped out work? How will their lives change if they are able to get away? What happens if they don't?

Room has been on my TBR for a very long time. I have no idea why I didn't read it sooner, I loved it. The book made me laugh and cry. I also watched the movie, which as usual was not as good as the book, but still it was a good movie.

I love that the book was told from Jack's perspective. Getting to see him learn the world for the first time is interesting and exciting. You feel for his mother and all that she has to endure just to keep Jack safe. They look forward to "Sunday Treat" from Old Nick, their capture, they move all the furniture around in the house to run track and stay healthy. Even though the TV is the only connection they have to the outside world, she still limits Jack's time on it so it won't rot his brain.

If you haven't read Room, I suggest you pick up a copy right away. Read the book and then see the movie. The only other book I have read by Emma Donoghue is

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Review--If I Fall, If I Die by Michael Christie

If I Fall, If I Die by Michael Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Will Cardiel and his mother live together in Thunder Bay.   To Will's knowledge, he has never been outside of his house.  He has never been to school, never had a friend, and has never been to a family members for the holiday.  His mother has taught him everything; how to create masterpieces on canvas, how to write a check and how to answer the door for all the different delivery people who visit their house.

When Will hears a loud bag Outside, he is determined to find out what it is and why his mother insists he stays Inside.  Will's Mom, Diane, is agoraphobic and the idea of Will or herself going Outside sends her to a place, Will calls the Black Lagoon.  When Will finally makes it Outside, he's not sure what the big deal is.  He find himself on the Outside more and his mom gets sucked deeper into the Black Lagoon.  

Michael Christie writes an interesting quirky novel that keeps the reader guessing about where they are.  While the location of most of the book takes place in the town of Thunder Bay in Canada, but the Cardiel's have named each room in their house after a major city.  The Basement is Toronto, the Kitchen is Paris, Will's Room is New York, Diane's Room is San Francisco, the Living Room is Cairo and the Bathroom is Venice.  Inside and Outside are capitalized throughout the book as if they also are their own little towns.

I have never met anyone who has agoraphobia before.  Diane reminded me of Joan Cusak's character on the show Shameless.  When she was first introduced into the show, she could not leave her house.

While Will is Outside, Diane tries all she can to relax.  Will these two be able to both live their lives in a reasonable manner?  Is there any way for Will to enjoy the Outside without sending his mother so far into the Black Lagoon, she may never return.  This is a beautifully written book, but it gave me many mixed emotions throughout.

**I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.**

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