Room: the unputdownable bestseller that inspired the Oscar-winning film
Paperback Published on: 07/01/2011
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Bookseller Reviews
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Absolutely Fantastic!!
Having seen how many different awards the book was nominated for I decided to see for myself what exactly all the fuss was about. Now I find that it I am a... READ MORE

Sarah Fay at Wells

Emotional
I have to applaud Emma Donoghue who wrote this, she really is a good writer who evoked so many emotions in me with this story. It is written from 5 year ol... READ MORE

Hannah Mulligan Ward at Woking
Synopsis
Now a major Oscar-winning film starring Brie Larson
Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize
Jack is five. He lives with his Ma. They live in a single, locked room. They don't have the key.
Jack and Ma are prisoners.
Room by Emma Donoghue is an extraordinarily powerful story of a mother and child kept in isolation, and the desire for, and price of, freedom.
'Room is a book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days.' – Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife
Publisher information
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9780330519021
- Number of pages: 416
- Dimensions: 199 x 135 x 31 mm
- Weight: 286g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View all
Room
I really thought the subject matter would make for uncomfortable reading. However, after the first couple of pages I was hooked and read the book in one da... READ MORE

rediscoveringmypassion for books

Marvelous! Just marvelous!
You think that story about small room can be boring? If yes, than you never read anything like "Room" before. Exciting and thrilling, sad and happy. There ... READ MORE

bukajeva

Amazing
Written in the voice and thoughts of Jack, a 5 year old who has lived in "Room" all of his life with his kidnapped mother, this book is brilliant.
Not at a... READ MORE

sandyhutch

Strange
Very strange and gripping. All the world in a room seen by a 5 years old boy and his discovering of the external world.

Mariasole

Completely Different...
I loved this extraordinary,unnerving,sad,simplistic,funny, and totally believable book.Written through the eyes if 5 yr old Jack
this book is both compelli... READ MORE

elliebo

An interesting book
What struck me about this book was the clever use of narrative at the beginning. Whilst it took a while to get into, it engaged me by raising lots of quest... READ MORE

emmielou

Brilliant!
I wasn't sure how easy this book would be to read but i found it very easy. The writing flows well and the story grips you in a very subtle way. I couldn't... READ MORE

Victoria Hicks

room
I absolutely loved this book, I didn't want it too end. The way it ended was just right. When the boy lived with his grandparents I feel that's when he thr... READ MORE

ratty

Outstanding
i thought this book was excellent, i love the way it was written. it made me giggle on several occasion. Brillant read

Picklearchie

feels false
The story of a mother, her son, a locked room and the outside world...
A tag line like that definitely had me intrigued. With Room I expected a tale with a... READ MORE

KOTW

Highly Original Novel, Beautifully Written
Emma Donoghue is a fantastic novel. "Room" tells the story of Jack, a five year old boy that lives in a single locked room with his Ma. However, all is not... READ MORE

davidokeeffe

Read this book, it's fabulous
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's an astounding work of fiction that will make you so sad and so angry all at the same time. Read it in one s... READ MORE

roisindubh

Room
When I heard about the premise of this book I was intrigued, fortunately I was not let down when I came to read it. I found this to be a real page turner. ... READ MORE

CHRIS H 82

Its great !
total not what I expected , I love this book

mc84

Different but amazing :)
Description
In many ways, Jack is a typical 5-year-old. He likes to read books, watch TV, and play games with his Ma. But Jack is different in a big way--h... READ MORE

Tara Jayne Bell

Couldn't Put It Down
I loved this book so much so I read it one day whilst on holiday recently. I think what makes it so gripping is because it is written from a 5 year old chi... READ MORE

Bumbles

Room
I loved this book after I got used to the narative style. .
To read a book from the perspective of a 5 year old was a really good idea as events were writt... READ MORE

MichelleKT

Good
It's okay, but it's not my favourite. At first I found it hard to read because of cleverly written it is! But after a while I felt eased into it. For me pe... READ MORE

GeorginaClaire

A MUST READ
Jack is a five year old who has lived his entire life in a small cramped room where he and his mother are held prisoner. From the beginning it is clear tha... READ MORE

Angie Scarth

four and a half stars
Room is the story of Jack, who is five years old and lives in Room with his Ma and with Rug and Meltedy Fork and Bed, among others. Room is the only world ... READ MORE

Vinca Russell

Worthy of 3star+ as it's different but not amazing
The cover compares it to The Lovely Bones and whilst it is, without doubt, original, it falls short of the WOW factor of Alice Sebold's novel. Certainly it... READ MORE

She who is too fond of books

Mostly great
I couldn't put this book down. Read it within a few sittings.
At first I struggled to get used to the fact it is written from a 5 years olds point of view... READ MORE

CherylB

Disappointing
After reading the reviews on this book i couldn't wait for it to arrive and start reading. I feel it could have been a great read, as the actual concept is... READ MORE

Barbara Kendrick

Lovely

1980

Fascinating and Complusive Read
It took me quite a long time to get into this book but once I did it was hard to put it down and I read it in three days.
Hearing it from the child's poin... READ MORE

panayim

Haunting, innocent voice that will stay with you
Narrated in the voice of five year old Jack, this is a haunting, innovative and brave story that will stay with you long after the final page. A sad situat... READ MORE

Robin Leggett

Gripping read
This is a very unusual book and not my usual style, however I was gripped from the start - firstly to find out what it was all about and then to find out w... READ MORE

moany mum

Amazing!!
Love the way the story is told from the perspective of a 5 year old, it is refreshing and cleverly written. I never saw the 'twist' coming and thought it w... READ MORE

jess1470

A compelling read
From the moment I first picked up ‘Room’ I was hooked and devoured the novel in 2 days flat. It is a harrowing and yet compelling tale told from the view o... READ MORE

Fletcher

Suprising and heartbreaking...READ IN ONE DAY!
When I started to read this novel, I honestly hadn't expected to be as moved or as absorbed by it as I became. What I found in it's pages was an unflinchin... READ MORE

bookfanatic

One of my all time favourite reads!!!
"Room" has got to be one of my all time favourite books. I absolutely loved it.
I came across this book whilst looking on the Waterstones website, read the... READ MORE

Liam286

A wonderful read.
I was intrigued by this book after reading the synopsis, but I felt a bit put out by the fact that it was from the perspective of a five-year-old. I am now... READ MORE

Becka

Room
One of the most moving and gripping books I have read this year. Simply grabbed me from the first page and I couldn't put it down until I read it whole. Ja... READ MORE

Dabarai

Brilliant
When I first started the book i didnt like the writing style and nearly didnt carry on reading. I am so glad i did!!! The style of writingfrom a 5 year old... READ MORE

Nicki B

A story of true determination!!!
This book is amazing I loved it there were certain bits where I couldn't put it down. A 5 year old boy telling the story of his life in 'ROOM' only to be t... READ MORE

LauraJB

Engaging and unsentimental
Ma and Jack live in room, just the two of them; it’s not giving too much away to say that the door of room is locked. Our protagonist is Jack, he’s just tu... READ MORE

Emma Gould

Powerful and well observed
Not an easy subject but an easy read - couldn't put it down. Author's observations on how a child would see the world from a room were very thought-provoki... READ MORE

Chubby

Not what I was expecting, well worth the read
I don't know if it was the author's intention but what I got from this book was a better appreciation of the time I spend with my children.

C. Peake

Room

Srspencerxx

astounding
astounding was the first word that came to mind after turning the final page of this fantastic novel. it's moving to say the least and truly and utterly co... READ MORE

matthew jewell

wonderful!
This book is beautifully written and perfectly done. I read it in days but still think about it weeks later. It really does stay with you.

wellread

Moving and Heart Warming
I approached this book with trepidation, expecting it to be a depressing, gloomy and harrowing read but I was wrong. From the very first chapter I was enth... READ MORE

AR

A Must Read
Considering this is a book which you could easily devour in one sitting, written in quite simplistic language, narrated by a five year old boy it would see... READ MORE

Teresa Majury

Brilliant!
want to start by saying that I loved this book - loved it! When I see other reviews, prior to me reading a book, that state phrases like "unputdownable" an... READ MORE

Boof

A pyschological story told with a child's innocence
It's taken me a little while to digest this book as it is written in a rather unique way, which I'm still not convinced I completely liked, and is a very d... READ MORE

Ecowitch

A grim story
This is a traumatic story about a teenager who was kidnapped and held against her will in an outside shed for seven years. She had two children by her abdu... READ MORE

Half Man Half Book

A real page turner
I read it in 2 days, couldn't put it down. The narrative from Jack's point of view is brilliant, it is both heart-wrenching and makes you giggle.
Although ... READ MORE

Amandine

Room

doyle

ok
I brought Room because of all the hype about it. I did read 50 pages or so of room, , but although i could see that it was well written Room just didnt app... READ MORE

Bookread2day

room
very good book .very feeling book how on earth did she manage to stay on the ball her one aim was to give her little boy a normal a life as possible . when... READ MORE

noddy2

Room
This is not usually the sort of book i would pick and read, however, i have to say i was very pleased i took the time to do so.
The book is extremely well ... READ MORE

buttonjb

Recommended!
In this book, Jack, who has just turned five, tells us about his world. He is a kid who was born and lives in Room with his Ma. In Room there is Bed, Rug, ... READ MORE

Mady

Thought provoking
Just finished reading this extraordinary book - didn't want it to end as I loved being in the mind of 5 year old Jack. His take on life is truly thought pr... READ MORE

Roby

Superb
This book is unlike any other I have read before and it is certainly not a comfortable read. It deals with a horrifying subject but in a sensitive and imag... READ MORE

Kim Weir

Definitely worth a read
Initially I picked up this book because of all the rave reviews from critics. As well as that I was intrigued where Emma Donoghue would take this story of ... READ MORE

Kirby

through a child's eye
Written from the perspective of a young boy makes this a really original read.the storyline was unpredictable, very imaginative and so innocent that it can... READ MORE

average superwoman

amazzzing
i picked up this book and couldnt put it down, when i had to put it down i couldnt get it out of my mind and actually found myself speeding back from a day... READ MORE

mumof3

Absolutely brilliant
I love this book from the moment i picked it up i couldnt put it down. I dont know what else to say really you need to read it for yourselves to understand... READ MORE

Kyla

Very gripping!
I was slightly apprehensive about reading this book as I thought due to the subject matter - a little boy locked away in a room with his Mother may be dist... READ MORE

Brenda

Fantastic read! Highly recommended.
Very cleaverly written from the readers point of view. I didnt think I would like it, due to the subject matter - but I was pleasantly surprised.
The char... READ MORE

regina 48

room
strange at first as it is told by a child but turned out to be a great read!

noelle

Loved it :)
So from the title and the blurb i didnt really get what it was about but after reading the passage from the online store it sounded good , so i ordered it.... READ MORE

LilMissB

Amazing
Immediately wanted a sequel.
If you only read one book this year, make it this one.

billybudd

Absolutely incredible!
This book is incredible, read it in two days, couldn't put it down. Expertly written to show the thoughts of a five year old. Definitely a must buy book, l... READ MORE

LauraC

Room for a Little Improvement.
Room was mostly excellent. It was truly 'unputdownable' and I read it in one sitting over the course of an evening. Donoghue's storytelling ability is exce... READ MORE

Laura Barbour

You must read this book.
I found this book on the Waterstone's page and was intrigued by it and ordered it straight away. It is one of the best books I've ever read and I've read l... READ MORE

Hannah Jazmine

wow
I thought this book was going to be a traumatising read but i had read other reviews and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Instead of it being dee... READ MORE

suzyq

A great read
Jack and 'Ma' Live in the 'Room'. Jack is five and his best friend is Dora the explorer. Outside the room is outer space where Old Nick Lives who brings th... READ MORE

Jane Tyler

One of my all time favourite books so far!
I first bought this books as it was a best seller, however, i didn't think much of it at first.......However, the book was gripping from the very start as ... READ MORE

Joelle

Very moving
Room is about a 5-year-old boy Jack who lives with Ma. They don’t just live in an everyday house like other children his age, but a shed more fitting for t... READ MORE

Lou Graham

A heratbreaking but great book!!!
This book is a MUST READ!!!!!

Cameron

Absolutely Brilliant
I could not put this down for the first 3 days of my holiday.....i thought it may be too much of a touchy subject to me (being a mother of a nearly 4yr old... READ MORE

suzieDBJI

Quite simply, an amazing love story
It has been said that he most powerful love known is that of a mother for her child. This book explores the demonstration of that most basic and natural of... READ MORE

GIJayne

Profoundly Affecting
Emma Donoghue's Room has been long-listed for the 2010 Booker Prize and if it doesnt get on the short-list then go on to win I will be completely amazed. I... READ MORE

Anne Cater

Strange little tale
Room is the story of Jack aged 5. Jack and his ma live in Room. Room is all Jack has ever known but his ma has seen more and now Jack is 5, ma tells Jack w... READ MORE

Mazmum

The best book I've read for ages!
The best book I’ve read for ages! It was so difficult to put this book down between sittings, and I really didn’t want it to finish.
The book is narrated ... READ MORE

Mary

INSIDE OUT
INSIDE OUT
This is a new novel from Emma Donoghue for 2010 which will keep both regular readers of her books and newcomers to her work intrigued throughou... READ MORE

dickins

Room for thought!
An excellent read from start to finish. The book had me intrigued from page one and the author has a talent for drawing the reader in even though half the ... READ MORE

Angie P

absolutely gripping
From the first to the last page. Although sometimes very moved by the horrors the boy and his mum go through, I can really recommend this book as one of th... READ MORE

mayAC

Wow!!!
What a book! I could not put it down and read it over 2 days. Initially it took a couple of pages to get used to the fact that it was being written from th... READ MORE

Ennovy

Unmissable.
This book was truly unputdownable for me, I started it in the morning and 6 hours later I emerged from the last page, eyes blinking, in a silent house, com... READ MORE

Vee

WOW. What a read!
I started this book at 9.30pm last night, read until 3am, just HAD to finish it! Not functioning at work this morning as I can't stop thinking about the pe... READ MORE

scottish girl

Fantastic Read Recommended to all!!!!!!
From the start of the book i discovered the innocent and honest character of Jack, and his understandin of his world which he innocently interpreted as the... READ MORE

Naila

Different to many other books
An occasionally dark and uncomfortable read, Room is an unusual novel told from the point of view of a five year old boy. The narrative could become quite ... READ MORE

jango

Unusual and endearing
The opening few pages of this book had me puzzled. I found the grammar slightly awkward, the prose stilted and it overall quite difficult to read. And this... READ MORE

zuni44

Damn brilliant!
My second favourite book in history. I can relate a lot to the main character's child and their situation, so this book obviously hit home for me quite qui... READ MORE

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