Creative, resilient, and bitter. When discussing heroic mothers in fiction, any list would be empty without “Ma” from the 2010 novel, Room, by Irish-Canadian Author Emma Donoghue. As a college freshman, Ma was abducted and locked in a shed for 7 years. Despondent in her confinement, it’s not until her son is born that Ma is renewed and dedicates her life not only to their escape but to providing the naïve Jack with a full and healthy life, unaware that he is in captivity. Inspired by the real-life determination of mothers and women in the face of impossible circumstances, Room is the winner of the Alex Award, a New York Times Best Book of the Year, and 2010’s Irish Novel of the Year.
Five-year-old Jack lives with Ma in Room. There, they play, learn, brush their teeth, exercise, and look out Skylight. Every night, he goes to sleep in Wardrobe while a mysterious man comes to visit. Ma doesn’t seem to like Old Nick, but Jack likes it when he brings them new things like clothes, food, and sometimes candy! To Jack, Room is all there is, and he wants everything to stay the same forever. But now that Jack is 5 years old, his curiosity is harder to contain, he gets in fights with Ma, and Old Nick gets so upset that their power is off for days! Maybe he should have just stayed 4. Ma is changing too. She decides it’s time to tell Jack a story, a real story this time, about a place called Outside. And about a plan where Jack must be brave, get to Outside, and save Ma.
“I’m not in Room. Am I still me?”
– Emma Donoghue
Engaging for Mature Teen and Adult readers, Room is a sociological exploration of what makes our reality, and the persistence of the human race to thrive against all odds. From discussing faith, the sensationalism of tragedy, and the spirit of motherhood, love is at the forefront of this novel. Narrated by Jack’s unusual and childish voice, Room’s language will take a second to get used to and is not for everyone. We follow his malleable young mind as it opens up and tries to process this place that was previously far beyond his understanding. But once the reader is enveloped in his unique world, it’s hard to leave and return to Outside.
Room was adapted by Emma Donoghue into an academy award winning movie of the same name starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay.
If you’re interested in requesting Room for your book club, you can find the Request Form here. There are 11 copies and an Audio CD. (A librarian must request items)
Donoghue, Emma. Room. Little, Brown and Company. (2010)
