Despite the tough subject matter, “Room” was a wonderful book. I would suggest it to anyone looking for something to read with a little depth to it. I read it in just two sittings, which is very unusual for me.
It is about a 26-year-old woman who was taken off a street when she was 19 and held captive by a man, “Old Nick” in a modified garden shed. When she was 21 she had a son, Jack. The book begins as Jack turns 5. The book was written before Jaycee Dugard was found, but it is based somewhat on a similar story from Austria that took place a long time ago.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to read it and there are parts in the first half of the book where I didn’t know if I could handle it. I think it really helps that the entire book is written from the son’s point of view. It kind of lightens the tone.
In the first half of the book they are being held in an 11 x 11 shed that has been turned into a room for them with a TV, bed, table, stove, refrigerator, and sink. The only outside light coming from a skylight. Ma has basically taught Jack that the room is real and everything on TV is fake (or outer space) so he doesn’t really know they are being held against their will. Because he’s getting older though, Jack is starting to piece things together and ask more questions. Then when things start to get bad, she realizes that “Old Nick” has been without work for 6 months, putting him in danger of foreclosure and what that would mean for Ma & Jack. A plan is hatched and they end up escaping.
This is where I stopped for the night, which wasn’t very smart because the intensity of the book made it really hard for me to sleep.
The second half of the book focuses on their life once they are free – how does she adjust to being free after being held captive for 7 years? How does Jack adjust to suddenly learning that everything is real and there are other people, and he had a Grandma and a Grandpa and an Uncle, etc. etc? They start their journey at a psych hospital and then eventually in an assisted living facility. It was much easier to read the second half, but it was still just as fascinating. It makes you realize how much you take for granted – outside, separate bathrooms, haircuts. The list could go on and on.
There has been a lot of talk about Dugard’s memoir lately, but I don’t think I could handle reading it. Just reading this fiction book was hard to take in at times. I can’t even imagine going through something like this, and honestly don’t know if I would have the strength to survive. Hopefully I’ll never have to find out.
