tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post5599442406812144102..comments2024-03-27T05:13:25.241-05:00Comments on The New Dork Review of Books: Room: "Human Kind Cannot Bear Very Much Reality"Greg Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-81308474555920689452012-07-25T12:34:39.046-05:002012-07-25T12:34:39.046-05:00Well Mr. Zimmerman as always your review is spot o...Well Mr. Zimmerman as always your review is spot on and very well written. I agree with all your points. This book was written with a very talented pen and Jack's voice was sweet, true and unintentionally funny. My most recent review was on Room and I linked your review to mine. Keep up the good reviews!Lauren {Geeb}https://www.blogger.com/profile/12127992084400995650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-5848742166933627762010-10-28T10:44:05.479-05:002010-10-28T10:44:05.479-05:00Well,Greg-Life Mask is a completely different kett...Well,Greg-Life Mask is a completely different kettle of fish,as the story centers around a female sculptor in the Victorian era who is just starting to realize the true nature of her sexuality(I know that description sounds sleazy but the book is definitely not).<br /><br /> More than one viewpoint is present and it's mainly told in the third person. I found it to be a deeply layered and engaging story,with a slow but steady pace. I do recommend it and will probably try to tackle Slammerkin again myself.lady thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287907577241697874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-74525254320465433752010-10-27T19:45:29.772-05:002010-10-27T19:45:29.772-05:00Well, now I know which book I need to go pick up. ...Well, now I know which book I need to go pick up. Great review Greg. I also appreciate all the comments your followers posted. I would be an idiot not to try it.SariJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11576155931734364322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-26488944932136056202010-10-27T18:34:20.301-05:002010-10-27T18:34:20.301-05:00I just finished Room and had the same reaction. I...I just finished Room and had the same reaction. I was astounded at the level of detail Donaghue was able to achieve using Jack's voice and his experiences. And I loved the Alice in Wonderland references (both subtle and explicit). <br /><br />I agree - one of the best books of the year.<br /><br />PBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-42895545668817424222010-10-27T17:42:03.266-05:002010-10-27T17:42:03.266-05:00Great review, Greg! I've found that this is a ...Great review, Greg! I've found that this is a book that has stayed with me. I read it last month and still have flashes of it that I return to mull over.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-59169453655838480002010-10-26T16:31:53.815-05:002010-10-26T16:31:53.815-05:00Hi Greg,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm...Hi Greg,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm now following yours.<br /><br />I've been meaning to pick up this book for a while, and your review has convinced me to go ahead and buy it already!Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-90938846046220376552010-10-26T13:00:10.320-05:002010-10-26T13:00:10.320-05:00Now that is a ringing endorsement if ever I've...Now that is a ringing endorsement if ever I've read one. Room goes to the top of my list. Thanks, Greg.Patrick (at The Literate Man)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05126952182728811711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-47853123138946934792010-10-26T11:59:55.743-05:002010-10-26T11:59:55.743-05:00@TNBBC - Me too - I liked it even better than Free...@TNBBC - Me too - I liked it even better than Freedom, and THAT'S saying something! ;)<br /><br />@Bookshelf - I had basically the same reaction when I finished. I immediately started researching Donoghue's other books, but it sounds like Room is pretty unique compared with the rest of her oeuvre. Too bad. <br /><br />@Sandy - Yeah, she really keeps you on your toes as a reader. You aren't ever comfortable in that you're sure you know what's going to happen.<br /><br />@mummazappa - Now, that's a nice win! Hope you enjoy it...<br /><br />@Kerry - You read any of her other stuff?<br /><br />@Kath - Thanks, but sorry to rub it in. :(Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-47011874129333630562010-10-26T11:55:27.797-05:002010-10-26T11:55:27.797-05:00@nomareader - Soooo good!
@lady T - Is Donoghue&#...@nomareader - Soooo good!<br /><br />@lady T - Is Donoghue's other work (at least the one you've read) as well-written as Room? What's her non-child-narrator voice like?<br /><br />@Noe and Suz - This would be a PERFECT break from supernatural books. Maybe it'll convince you not to go back. ;)<br /><br />@C.B. - Yeah, it's hard to know when the "less is more" strategy is appropriate and when it's the reviewer just being lazy. Very fine line, but for reader of reviews and reviewer.<br /><br />@Jessica - You're right - definitely a lot of issues raised. Interesting point about why Jack's vocabulary may have been beyond a normal five-year-old's. The negative reviews of the book I've seen cited that as a turn-off; well, that and they said his voice wasn't consistent - that sometimes he sounded like a two-year-old. Not sure I agree with that assessment at all. I thought his voice was very faithfully rendered.<br /><br />@Brenna - Thanks - yeah, it really is a fantastic novel!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-22731057033824985022010-10-26T11:50:14.294-05:002010-10-26T11:50:14.294-05:00@Kathy - Thanks! Other commenters have mentioned a...@Kathy - Thanks! Other commenters have mentioned a few of Donoghue's other novels, but a complete list of her work (including a few plays), is on her wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Donoghue<br /><br />@Amy - Yeah, it is definitely a book that begs for conversation. It was really hard to resist the temptation to bring up some of the plot points to see what other people thought, but definitely didn't want to ruin it for folks who haven't discovered how awesome it is yet.<br /><br />@Erin - Definitely lived up to the hype! I became a bit wary with all the post-Booker "Room got hosed!" cries. But I'm glad I picked up. I think you will be too.<br /><br />@Trish - Jack's voice and perspective are really unique - and really work well! I hope you enjoy it!<br /><br />@Kerry - Well, I'm not sure what constitutes good honeymoon reading, but yes. ;)<br /><br />@Suzanne - Yeah, it's not so much spoiler just as much of a sense that you really have NO idea what's going to happen. That's what I loved about it. Donoghue certainly didn't take an easy ways out with this plot!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-76608239136621802442010-10-26T11:35:13.228-05:002010-10-26T11:35:13.228-05:00I'd already got a hankering or this book - now...I'd already got a hankering or this book - now it's ten times worse! Great review :)Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16731173186767835989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-25102733770502810672010-10-26T07:56:17.800-05:002010-10-26T07:56:17.800-05:00Kathy - She also has one called The Sealed Letter,...Kathy - She also has one called The Sealed Letter, and I saw one of hers - Landing - at a local store the other day.Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595812677247405225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-69953147826126843342010-10-26T07:46:40.873-05:002010-10-26T07:46:40.873-05:00I just won a copy of this, should receive it in th...I just won a copy of this, should receive it in the mail in a few days - I'm so keen to read it. Great review too!Danielle Zappavignahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10493099952285137131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-85376349075527987612010-10-25T19:26:22.216-05:002010-10-25T19:26:22.216-05:00I just finished this book and bumbled through some...I just finished this book and bumbled through something sort of resembling a review...hell I should have just called you. Excellent review. I agree, you just can't say much about this plot because the thrill (or the terror?) is the not knowing. It is freaking brilliant in every way.Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-41076666617087366532010-10-25T16:56:11.914-05:002010-10-25T16:56:11.914-05:00I was absolutely blown away by this book. Glad to ...I was absolutely blown away by this book. Glad to see it struck you as well. I can't remember the last time I was so affected by a book. When I finished, I closed it, said 'Wow', and just sat and stared for awhile.A Bookshelf Monstrosityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674115889348650429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-85486573146535956772010-10-25T14:50:07.918-05:002010-10-25T14:50:07.918-05:00This was a great write up. I loved this book, one ...This was a great write up. I loved this book, one of my favorites of the entire year, and I've read a load of good books, so that's saying something!TNBBC Super Modhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15153016306489908880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-16768443534585983232010-10-25T14:46:03.663-05:002010-10-25T14:46:03.663-05:00This sounds like such a unique book. Awesome revie...This sounds like such a unique book. Awesome review I can't wait to get my hands on it.Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10780185535345559390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-7720518155684301032010-10-25T13:32:25.295-05:002010-10-25T13:32:25.295-05:00I loved this also and I enjoyed the voice of 5 yea...I loved this also and I enjoyed the voice of 5 year old Jack. I thought that it raised alot of other issues and thoughts like prolinged breastfeeding and I thought it was interesting that Jack had a higher than average vocabulary because of the constant contact he spend with his mum.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08861424110678889637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-51694101488037590202010-10-25T13:31:50.727-05:002010-10-25T13:31:50.727-05:00I'll look for it.
I, myself, have used the ...I'll look for it. <br /><br />I, myself, have used the "less said the better" trope in a couple of reviews. It's annoying, but what do you do when it's true?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06906212382849291562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-5104139514539497992010-10-25T13:26:10.304-05:002010-10-25T13:26:10.304-05:00You know I need a break from my supernatural books...You know I need a break from my supernatural books. This looks perfect and your review is great. I look forward to reading this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-12456879081941449382010-10-25T13:20:06.550-05:002010-10-25T13:20:06.550-05:00I'm glad you enjoyed Room,Greg-it's on my ...I'm glad you enjoyed Room,Greg-it's on my Best of the Year list as well. Kathy,Emma Donoghue has a couple of historical novels,with Slammerkin being highly recommended by many. I haven't read that one but did enjoy Life Mask quite a bit.lady thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287907577241697874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-9283559247839957402010-10-25T13:19:52.357-05:002010-10-25T13:19:52.357-05:00I'm so glad to see you love this one too! It i...I'm so glad to see you love this one too! It is my favorite so far this year.nomadreader (Carrie)http://nomadreader.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-65441016251153779532010-10-25T13:19:39.682-05:002010-10-25T13:19:39.682-05:00I agree with Amy that it is definitely a discussio...I agree with Amy that it is definitely a discussion-worthy book. Not a lot of spoilers to give away, but you're right -- some things are best discovered on your own.<br /><br />Great review.<br /><br />(p.s. Kathy if you don't mind my answering your question I know of one other novel by Emma Donoghue, Slammerkin; I'm sure she has others though)Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027628103746160956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-72418906148563033812010-10-25T12:44:19.893-05:002010-10-25T12:44:19.893-05:00Ooooh I can't wait to start this. What do you ...Ooooh I can't wait to start this. What do you think, appropriate honeymoon reading? Hopefully I'll have more time in a few weeks and can give it the attention it deserves. Great review!Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595812677247405225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-16677257790233875632010-10-25T12:06:16.079-05:002010-10-25T12:06:16.079-05:00Yes, it does indeed sound like a good book. I'...Yes, it does indeed sound like a good book. I'm looking forward to picking up a copy. I especially like the idea of writing from a child's point of view . . .Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18273468231529654323noreply@blogger.com