'Room' by Emma Donoghue
This novel sparked off some interesting discussions!
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2 comments:
This in from Helen: I really enjoyed Room. I loved the little boy and his Mum and I thought the author had well thought through some of the complexities that a situation like that would throw up i.e. the grandfather rejecting the boy (even though I don't believe he should have done this obviously).
Thanks Helen,
Love Janie xx
I think we all agreed 'Room' was very creepy but there were also some positives; the Mum was just so good with Jack. She was organised and always held out hope for their escape. She also spent long hours educating Jack so he emerged as a well-advanced child in some respects but, understandably lacking in others. Their intense time together secured a bond no other mother/child relationship could compare to.
I must admit, I would like to know why this middle-aged (late 40's?) man would plan to and steal a girl and keep them caged up. He even seems a little sad for the Mum when he believes Jack is dead - not the sort of person you'd think would feel empathy for another soul. This is a long-term 'commitment' he has taken out. By stealing her he now has responsibilities - to feed her, clothe her and her child etc etc.
In other stories ('Lovely Bones' and 'Dead Man Walking' - which I can't read!!) the abductor kills the victims and so disposes of any responsibility. They are cold, callous killers. However, this man doesn't do that. Is it even worse what he's doing?
We chatted about loads of other child abduction scenarios but I'm not going to dwell on them
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