The World (as Told by a Five Year Old)

By Mackenzi V.

Room by Emma Donoghue is a novel limited in both setting and perspective, but not in capability. Written from five-year-old Jack's point of view, it brilliantly tells the story of him and his "Ma", who was kidnapped as a teenager and kept in a single room in her captor's backyard ever since. Despite these restraints, Donoghue creates characters and a plot which are equal parts sympathetic and captivating.

The narration is key to Room's effectiveness. Though wise for his age, Jack's knowledge is limited as a result of his enclosed environment. Because of this, the reader knows only what Jack knows, and is left to connect the dots of what he does not. While the childlike dialect can at times be difficult to comprehend, it is ultimately more powerful than any other perspective could be. Through Jack, we learn about himself, his Ma, and the particulars of their tragic situation. Donoghue is skilled at revealing without long exposition; crafting the past and present through a child's eavesdropping and a mother's subtle hints. The innocence of Jack's voice also packs a stronger emotional punch. The tear-jerking moments become more so, hitting harder when perceived through the mind of a five year old; making for a more raw, thought-provoking reading experience. Donoghue's narrative choice simultaneously makes for a sense of horror and deep wonder as the reader discovers the world outside of Room right along with Jack.  

Though certainly a difficult book (in terms of both readability and subject matter), Room is well worth the read for anyone who cares to recapture childlike awe. Donoghue expertly tells a story of terror, family, and learning. It is a story which allows the reader to recall their developmental years and rediscover the world around them in a new light.