Originally Published: August 6, 2010

By: Emma Donoghue

Told through the point of view of a five-year-old boy, Room is an intense novel that will keep you gripped for the entire story.

Jack and his mom live in a room and it’s Jack’s whole life. What Jack doesn’t realize is that Old Nick is holding him and his mom captive. Jack is the product of sexual assault that his mom has endured while being imprisoned. When they escape from Old Nick’s clutches, Jack has to adjust to the real world while his mom experiences freedom.

The fact that Jack is trying to figure out what everything is makes the story incredibly hard to read – and not in a bad way. You’ll feel for both Jack and his mom because of the terror they’ve been through.

Emma Donoghue has created a masterpiece.

Final say: A beautiful, heartbreaking piece. ★★★★★