‘Room’ by Emma Donoghue takes readers into the psychological mindset of a five-year-old boy and his twenty-something mother. Their relationship is explored through various means, including how they talk to and interact with one another, allowing readers to contemplate the uncertainty and horrific nature of their circumstances.

Held in captivity for seven years, the mother’s only solace comes in the form of her son, Jack, whom she loves unflinchingly. Their struggles are real, beyond the incapability of ever being part of the outside world. The way in which Jack is portrayed as someone who only takes for granted the room he lives in with his mother draws quite a distinction between the way the the world in general seems to take things for granted and the way in which people should be grateful for every little nook and cranny because there is no telling when or for what reason it can be taken away. Jack’s anxiety about the outside world is realistically captured through his narration, and his distorted vision of reality shaken at every turn as he breaks free both physically and mentally from the bonds that he didn’t even knew held him.

Old Nick is the man who tore Jack’s mother away from her life, causing Jack the pain and anguish (even if he doesn’t realize it) of living in “room,” as Jack calls it without even using “the” in front of it. It is home, and it is all Jack knows. Despite being characterized as someone who seemingly might have cared for them at least a bit, bringing them Sundaytreat, a once a week item of their choosing that Jack is especially attached to, it is revealed that beyond that one “nicety,” if one can even call it that, Old Nick is a psychologically manipulative and angry man who has stolen years of life from them.

The book took me a while to get into, but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. There were certain parts that I wish would have been further explored as well, including seeing what happened with Old Nick once certain events transpired that caused Jack’s and his mother’s circumstances to change.

Narrated by Jack in a five-year-old’s voice, with details clearly shown through his eyes, ‘Room’ sets the stage for a worrisome, thought-provoking read that makes readers feel threatened, brave, and hopeful. The rollercoaster of emotions has its ups and downs as Jack and his mother seek escape, come to mutual understandings, and gather strength that they (especially Jack) never knew they had.

You can find ‘Room’ by Emma Donoghue by clicking here.