"Jack is five. He lives with his Ma. They live in a single, locked room. They don’t have the key."
From the moment I started reading, I couldn't put this down - Emma Donoghue weaves a wonderful tale that fills you with uneasiness from the start and doesn't let up. The story is told through the eyes of five year old Jack, a heart-meltingly charming little boy who knows nothing of the real world. He lives in a tiny room with his Ma, and believes that 'Room' is all there is. The author does a magnificent job of keeping Jack's voice consistent throughout, and unveiling the truth of their situation piece by piece. Although you know there is something not quite right from the first couple of pages, you soon begin to realise there's something very wrong from some of Jack's observations and descriptions.
I don't want to give too much of the plot away - needless to say, Jack is soon faced with information that changes everything, and what follows is a gripping, nail-biting, horrific chapter or two that had me feeling sick, anxious and desperate to discover the consequences of 'Plan B'.
The second half of the book does feel slightly rushed, but I think that actually sets the tone perfectly for the circus of activity and life-altering changes that Ma and Jack have to deal with. Jack's transition is handled very well and my heart went out to him with each paragraph. It definitely gives you a new perspective on a horrific scenario that unfortunately we've all become familiar with over recent years.
This haunting, mesmerising story stayed with me long after I'd finished the last page. Often, I find that the books that 'everyone is reading' turn out to be a let down, but in this case the hype is well-deserved.
