*This is one of the first book reviews I wrote*
I really want to commit to writing reviews of books I've read
previously, as well as ones I've just read. But this is the second time
I've picked a book and stared at the screen. I was pretty happy with
what came out of the God of Small Things review, though, so we'll see
what happens this time.
I picked this up as a popular book this
year (I try to balance my books between new and popular and classic or
off-the-beaten-path, mixed with a healthy dose of SF.) I'd also added it
to my library hold list shortly before hearing the author talk at a
conference about the research for her next book (which sounds
fascinating, let me say that now.)
Room is a hard book to know
how to write about. Like God of Small Things, it's not one that moves me
to become evangelical about it. Yet I enjoyed it. If someone asked if
they should read it, I'd probably say yes.
Of course, the subject
matter is in and of itself difficult, and the fact that the narrator is
five only highlights the horrors. I did enjoy the narrative voice,
which was neither too precious, nor too knowing.
But still, I
didn't love it. And it's hard to say I "enjoyed" it, but I'm not sorry I
read this book. That space between loving a book and respecting it is a
large one, and I do respect this book, and what the author was trying
to do - I don't think she shied away from taking the harder choices,
from making freedom come at too cheap a price.
Okay, this review was a lot more confused. I may come back to it.
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