Room by Emma Donoghue

Loosely based on similar actual events, this is the story of a little boy, Jack, who was born in captivity and remained there until he was 5 in 'Room' with his mother, who had been kidnapped and held captive for sexual purposes. The story is told from his viewpoint. Jack is very verbal and intelligent, but has absolutely no concept of the world outside. He has been able to watch tv, but thinks everything on it is fantasy.

I liked how the mother structured Jack's day and tried to see that he studied and learned, got as much exercise as possible in the confines of their small space, and ate as well as possible. I was bothered about her plan to use Jack as a means of escape.

Much of the story revolves around the post-Room life of Jack and his mother...people's reactions to them, and how they learned to integrate into the world. For the mother it was a long hoped for return, but for Jack it was a whole new world that could be quite frightening.

I don't think the mother's depression was explained well enough. I didn't think the way her parents treated her on her return was realistic. If it was, it was very annoying. I didn't understand how some of the family could take Jack to the mall on his first trip out. I could understand that there would be mixed feelings and misunderstandings, but such gross lack of understanding on the part of seemingly intelligent people was unrealistic.

All in all this was an interesting story that ends with a feeling of hope for the future. of Jack and his mother.