Room by Emma Donoghue

I began this book thinking what the heck is going on here and how am I ever going to get through a book that ignores descriptive articles like the!  I guess I have lost touch with my inner five year old!  By page 57 I was getting into the book and had already figured out a few items--like her nursing the five year old and the fact that she was being unable to leave her room. I don't recall realizing she was a captive until much later. I assumed prison and wondered how she was able to keep the child with her.

This reminds me of the Jaycee Dugard story except that her story must be even worse.  I like how Ma has taught Jack life's lessons as best she can given the conditions. The creativity of the two is amazing--using egg shells to make animals, measuring things using a makeshift ruler and other such inventive items makes one realize that the human mind and spirit can really overcome most everything. Even Ma's knowledge that Room was getting too small for the two of them and the plot to escape is amazing. 

Introduction to Outside proved difficult for both Jack and Ma.  Ma had a knowledge base from which to work but seemed to have a more difficult time than Jack. I think this is because she was finally able to "crash" after the seven year ordeal and needed her own time to heal.  Jack had to learn new items like interacting with others.  I found it interesting that Leo, who had no children of his own, seemed more suited to help Jack than Grandma and definitely Grandpa! Steppa stepped up!

Returning to Room was both cathartic and rueful for Jack. Ma did not want to return but needed to help Jack, and in doing so maybe helped herself heal as well.  Jack needed to see Room as it was now that he had seen Outside.  It was not exactly as he remembered (secure, small and safe) but he still needed to say goodbye before moving on. Ma needed to face her fears by facing the demons that lingered in Room.  Hopefully both go on to live normal lives but as they discussed at the Clinic, Jack would probably have an easier time (being plastic and five) than Ma who has missed seven years of her life and will still have to face Old Nick in court. 

While I am sure this is not based on the lives of any of the many who have endured such hardships in the past, it does seem the author wants the reader to accept that this is unfortunately, not the exception. Many people exist every day in captivity and survive. The human spirit is strong and while each case is different, survival is the key and we can all learn from what others have endured.