Room - upsetting?

[pirateparty]

Just want to know if this book is going to upset me greatly in my hormonal pregnant state? It looks fab from the reviews and I definitely want to read it at some point but should I postpone it until I'm a bit less - well, hormonal?

I know it sounds stupid, but I get disproportionately upset by anything remotely sad at the moment (and have a small ds and anything to do with children is especially likely to involve a lot of tears) and will happily put it off until later if someone thinks it might set me off!

[Scorps]

No, it's fine, the ending won't upset you.

[rubyslippers]

It's intense

[mrbearn]

I'm half way through and not upset yet and I hate the subject matter and so was relucant to read it.

[Ciske]

I read it and it's not at all a dark book. The writer obviously refers to the bad stuff but doesn't dwell on it. It left me feeling quite impressed with the mother in the book and positive about how much as a parent you can give to your children in spite of circumstances. Recommended read, go for it!

[PheasantPlucker]

I am reading this at the moment, was bought it by one of my best friends for Christmas.

[thunderbird69]

I reckon it could be a better read once you have children yourself, not sure what others think?

I think it is actually a very positive book and leaves you thinking about all sorts of aspects of life and what is important.

[mrbearn]

I've just finished it and did cry a bit but yes it is positive in a lot of ways. YOu wonder how you would be in similar circumstances.

[Marlinspike]

TBH it really hung around with me, IYSWIM. I was flu-ey when I read it, and running a bit of a temperature, and I had some very strange dreams for a couple of nights. It is a great book, but I can see that if you are a bit hormonal and "off kilter", you could feel a bit... sad.

Maybe that's just me; I can get quite bound up in books...should stop now, had too much shiraz!

[mrbearn]

Actually I feel quite disturbed by it and want to start something else straight away to get the subject matter out of my head. I get very affected by books too Marlinspike.

[Chocaholica]

It hung around in my head, too, but not in a particularly negative way, more that it really made me think about what children need, and how we give it to them, and what it means to be a mother.
Had it been written from Ma's perspective I suspect it would be much more harrowing. Jack's perspective on the room is so different, it isn't just sad, it's also very thought-provoking, and there is positive strength there too.

[TillyBookClub]

I'm hearing you, pirateparty: am 41 weeks pregnant and I have a five year old son called Jack, which makes the whole process even more daunting. But am finding the book fine as long as I don't read it at night before going to bed. Somehow it is much more do-able in daylight.

Looking forward to the chat on Feb 16, will be a great book to discuss...hope you can all join us

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

The main character/narrator is a cheerful little soul and knows nothing other than the inside of his room, so it isn't distressing at all because he doesn't find his situation difficult.

Great book!

[pirateparty]

Thanks for that everyone. I am going to give it a go!

[sugared]

Such a brillant read, read it in six hours last night couldn't bear to put it down, it had me gripped from the very start!

Can't wait for the web chat

[kpdchudleigh]

Gosh, I was pondering whether this would be too difficult to reach, having lost my six year old two years ago I still struggle with my emotions.

However, having read the reassuring posts here I can't wait to finish my current read and delve into this book. I'd start now, but stress means my brain is not smart enough to juggle two stories these days! Going to have to get an early night with my book.

[kpdchudleigh]

And of course, I did mean READ in my previous post! Where oh where is the edit button? :)

[shubiedoo]

I think what makes the book so good is exactly that it's not more disturbing, considering the subject matter. Through the eyes of a child, all kinds of things can seem normal.

[KittaKatta]

actually found it quite uplifting in a way, God does that make me seem weird?

[BelligerentGhoul]

Not upsetting. V interesting.

I liked the first half much more than the second half though.

[waybuloony]

I found it utterly depressing and it really affected my mood throughout the whole of January. I was given the book as a xmas present by my dad and weirdly it even made me feel slightly resentful that he should have chosen a book with such a disturbing theme.

I wouldn't recommend it, particularly if you're a SAHM and sometimes feel as if the walls are closing in....

Mind you - it could have affected me so badly cos I'm in early pregnancy with dc2...hadn't really linked the two until now!

[Haribojoe]

I enjoyed the book.

I marvelled at the way the Mum taught her son so much and structured his day with exercise, word games etc.

I also thought the "voice" of Jack was brilliantly written.

[pink4ever]

I bought this yesterday and read it in a couple of hours.Thought the first half was ok-tbh didnt really find the narration of jack that believable. The second half was crap-totally unbelievable and far too "americanised" imo.
If anyone is looking for a book that really does linger in your mind(but in a good way) then please read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Superb.

[moodymama]

I didn't find it depressing at all. I can be badly affected by books but I found this was written in a very light way.

[gallifrey]

I've just downloaded this book onto my Kindle and am about 15% of the way through. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm very curious as to what happens eventually and why they are in the room.

[Pixel]

My friend lent me this and I stayed up half the night because I couldn't put it down. The most harrowing bit I found was right at the end (don't want to spoil!) but that was only because it brought the rest of the book home iyswim. Otherwise, as others have said, it was quite cheerful in a strange way.