ROOM

 

the title says it all. 

i was intrigued by this book and all of the reviews i had read. "astounding" "riveting" "unbearably tense thriller." at first i thought it was about a mother who kept her son, "jack" in a room because she felt as if she was protecting him from "outside." i couldn't understand, being a mother myself, how she could think she was protecting him, when really she was only sheltering him from civilization in an unhealthy way. almost like he was a prisoner of his own room.

 

the book only had five chapters:

PRESENTS

UNLYING

DYING

AFTER

LIVING

 

before reading the book, none of these made sense to me.

but like the title, only one word was needed to describe each chapter.

it starts out with "ma" and "jack" as the only characters. they speak to each other but the story is told from "jack's" point of view. "jack" is only 5 years old. he is a very curious boy. all he knows is ROOM, bed, chair, bath, wardrobe, book, tv and the sun is the golden man he sees through the only light in ROOM, the skylight.

as i started to read. i began to understand that "ma" takes care of "jack" the best she can with what she has in ROOM. a man, "old nick" is introduced and then it all becomes clear. "old nick" has kidnapped "ma". "jack" was created by "ma" and "old nick". he keeps them locked away in this shed for over 5 years. he brings them food, but only comes in the night. once "jack" is old enough [in his moms eyes] she makes a plan to escape. "jack" is scared because all he knows is ROOM, everything outside scares him because he has never experienced it. "ma" pretends that "jack" has become ill and because he didnt seek real medical help, she convinces "old nick" that he has died in the night. 

my heart is beating, as i read page after page. i cant put the book down because im dying to know if she escapes with her son alive. having a son and being a mom, this is like my worst nightmare. being kidnapped and held like a prisoner, especially with your kid is [un]thinkable. there are some sick people out there. you read/hear about these types of stories and hope that you never have to go through something as traumatic as this. 

i don't want to spoil the end, i actually still have one more chapter to go. if you are looking for a book to read, i highly recommend this book. it has changed my life and i probably wont ever forget reading it. 

something like this could happen to anyone, that's what makes it so real.