Room by Emma Donoghue; read by Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Robert Petkoff, and Suzanne Toren- Audio CD
- Publisher: Hachette Audio; Unabridged edition (September 13, 2010)
- ISBN-13: 978-1607886273
Back-of-the-box blurb: 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.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ thoughts: Wow. Let me start by saying this is the rare audiobook for which I also plan to read the print edition. It’s that good; I want to read it again, to catch any details, symbolism, or literary inflection that missed the first time around.
When I first started listening, I was a bit uncomfortable. First, with the premise; this is, after all, a horrific situation. As a woman, I can’t imagine what Ma has been subjected to. As a mother, I can only imagine the fierce love and protection she feels for Jack. Second, with the format; the perspective is that of a 5-year-old, I wondered if his innocence would shake me to the core, and if his grammar would irk me. Yes, I confess that the ‘baby talk’ of mismatched subject/verb/tense and assigning Proper Names to things like “rocker,” “skylight,” and “shelf” took me aback:
Today I’m five. I was four last night going to sleep in Wardrobe, but when I wake up in Bed in the dark I’m changed to five, abracadabra. Before that I was three, then two, then one, then zero. “Was I minus numbers?”
I wasn’t knocked off my listening game for long. Jack’s voice swept me right into the story, into his little world. Literally, the tiny little 11 x 11 world is all he knows, and I saw it though his eyes. Eyes that would of course give Wardrobe and Bed and even Room the upper-case attention they deserved. Donoghue didn’t write Jack’s voice to be cute, she wrote it to be real. And it is.
Ma blew me away with the love and patience she shows Jack. She lives for this boy, and gives him the best life she possibly can; it is astonishing, especially in light of their situation. They read together, tell stories, craft a snake from carefully emptied eggshells, establish routines that become Ma’s security. Jack doesn’t know any different – this is life (or Life), and he has no longing for anything else.
But what might happen if Jack gets an inkling that there is something beyond Room, past the bit of Outside that he can see through Skylight? Will Outside prove to be a savior, or something – like Old Nick – that Jack needs protection from?
Listen to Room; the multi-reader cast is excellent – pacing is perfect. Or read the print edition. Or – like me – take a double-dip with a scoop of each.
I wondered how this would translate to audio. I definitely would have listened to it had I not won the print book. Our book club read it and it blew every one of us away (except for the pregnant girl, who couldn’t get past page 30, understandably). We spent an unusually long time talking about breast-feeding at older ages, which kinda cracks me up. Of all things for us to focus on! This book will most definitely end up on my Best list. Talk about a masterpiece.
I wondered how this would be on audio since I struggled with Jack’s voice at the beginning of the book, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it.
Wow — okay, I was going to listen anyway. Now I will listen and read. I know the premise but I’m afraid of learning much more than that before I dive in.
This has been on my TBR list for a while. My secret santa sent it to me so I’m looking forward to reading it soon. I’m also going to see if my library has the audiobook!
This was one of the best books I read this year, and I am glad to hear that you loved it too! I got a chance to meet Emma Donoghue at SIBA this year, and it was one of the most exciting moments of my life. I talked to her a bit about the brilliance of her book, and told her that I really don’t know how Ma did it. She agreed that Ma was one of a kind. Thanks for the excellent review! I may have to check this one out on audio as well.
I agree – the audio is great!
I’ve only read the print version. It’s nice to know the audio is great as well. This is definitely one of my favorite books of the year!
I know this is absolutely a must read (and now listen) for me but I know I have to be in the right frame of mind. It’s good to know listening will be just as good as print.
One of my on-line book clubs picked this for February. I actually wasn’t going to read it- it just sounds so tough, but now I may have to give it a try.
Sandy – if you ever have time for a re-read/listen, I highly recommend the audio; very well done. I haven’t discussed the book face-to-face with anyone, but I can see a convo going to breast-feeding!
Kathy – oh, glad I’m not the only one who struggled with his voice (print or audio). It didn’t take long for me to jump right into the rhythm. He was very real/believable to me.
Beth F – you’re an over-achiever, juggling print AND audio! Yes, it’s hard to avoid talk/spoilers about this book, so I only scratched the surface.
Mary – very nice Secret Santa
I’ve dipped into the print when I was looking for quoted passages, but decided to stick with the opening paragraph for my review/thoughts
zibilee – wow, how cool that you got to meet the author! I think I’d be star struck and tripping over myself
rhapsody – hold on … we AGREE on a book!?? (yay!)
Bailey – I don’t have an official ‘best of’ list, but if I did …
Martha – because Jack is the narrator, we see the world thru his eyes (putting an innocent childhood spin on things we would see as harsh)
carol – I would have put it down if I found it too disturbing; I hope you find it as palatable as I did.
Wow, this sounds amazing! I keep hearing great things about this book but this is the first time I read what it’s about. Sounds fascinating. Have to add it to my lengthy TBR list!
Sue
I have not found anyone else who has read this book and have been going crazy wanting to discuss it with someone. I totally agree with your review. Ma was so resourceful…I have actually done some of her teaching games with my own kids!
I am glad you like it so much. I did not listen to the audiobook, but rather read it, and have to agree it was a winner.
Sue – “lengthy TBR” … I can relate (yes, it’s that good!)
Lisa – none of my local friends have read it. It will make a great discussion, but my book group insists on waiting for paperbacks
caite – I don’t know that I’ve read any negative reviews (I’m sure they’re out there, but this is one that the “hype” is deserving, in my opinion)
I can’t imagine listening to this on audio. It seems that it would tear my heart out to put a physical voice to Jack. You have definitely piqued my interest with this one.
I’m glad to hear this one is good on audio too! I may have to get it on audio, as it’s my favorite read of 2010. The multi-character cast sounds interesting!
I’ve had the same feeling with a couple of audio books; “Serena” by Ron Rash comes to mind. It’s one of the reasons I have a hard time with audio–I’m always wondering if I’m missing something by not looking at the printed word.
I was also curious about the audio! I was glad to see someone review the book, but also the audio version.
It’s funny, I am in the process of writing a post of my favorite books of the year and this one was certainly in my top five! And I was visiting book blogs to seek out other “best of” lists to link to when I happily came across this!
I am wondering how it will read for you now in print that you’ve heard it? I don’t know if you are planning to write more, but I would be interested in reading more comments after you are done reading as well.