I wrote about my love of books long before I started reviewing them with any vague sense of commitment. Indeed one of the first posts on this blog in February 2009 was a book review of sorts.
Over the next four years I randomly wrote about my favourite books or series of novels reflecting everything from Jane Austen to Robert B Parker’s Spenser series. Another which made it on the blog remains one of the very few books to which I’ve awarded 5-stars and is possibly still my favourite book. Ever.
Yes siree, it’s a big call… but without a doubt Room by Emma Donoghue is one of the best-written books I’ve ever read. To quote myself:
I enjoyed Room so much that it is the only book I can ever remember reading that I wanted read it again straight away. Even now I am pining for Jack’s turn of phrase. And it’s stayed with me for days; weeks even. Just as all beautiful and thought-provoking voices should.
I won’t rehash my review or the plot cos you can read it at the link above, but the reason I’m reflecting on this at all is because it’s been made into a movie and the trailer was released on the weekend.
I can’t watch it without becoming a sobbing mess, but that may be only because I’ve read the book. I rarely watch a movie if I’ve read the book but this will be one exception.
The little boy who plays Jack looks freakin’ amazing and Brie Larson is almost unrecognisable from the annoying dippy daughter she played on The United States of Tara.
Have you read Room? Will you go to see it?
Do you find the trailer fabulously haunting?
Linking up with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.
August 5, 2015
Never heard of this but the trailer looks interesting.
August 5, 2015
It’s beautifully written. ‘Voice’ tends to be all-important for me and many of my favourite books have been those in which the voice of the narrator has really been nailed. I’m not sure how this will translate onto the screen, but I’m hoping it does it justice.
August 5, 2015
I read the book about a year or so ago. I stopped in the middle and almost didn’t continue because I found it so incredibly depressing, but then I picked it up and finished it and was glad I did.
It was amazingly written, but I do have 2 major points for determining a book’s enjoyment to me– quality of writing, and plot. This one would score a 5/5 on writing, and 4/5 on plot because of my ambivalence about the setting. This is just me and I can understand how much you enjoyed it. Good post! Not sure if I would want to see the movie. If it came to Netflix, etc. yes but not sure about in the theater. Thanks.
August 5, 2015
Oh yes Rita, the writing was amazing. I note some are saying the trailer gives too much away but (I recall) before I read the book I knew they ‘escaped’ so there was no spoiler there for me. In some ways I liked the scenes in Room (as in THE room) better but guess the adaptation to outside was a key feature.
August 5, 2015
I have to be honest and state this isn’t the sort of book or movie that I would enjoy but I hope you enjoy the movie and that it complements a book that you found so good.
August 5, 2015
Thanks Kirsty!
August 5, 2015
Oh wow – that trailer looks fantastic! There is something familiar about this story. I can’t help wondering if I have read it or was it a similar story that I read? I’m going to have to look at your review and Google the storyline to be sure I think! Thanks for letting us know it was coming out as a movie! 🙂
August 5, 2015
I think I’d like it. I’ll probably cry too. I’m interested to see why you think the narrator is so good Deb!
August 5, 2015
The writing and little boy’s voice is beautiful. It’s really cleverly written the way objects become proper nouns almost… hard to explain. At the time finding kidnapped girls (etc) after a long incarceration was very uncommon, though I know there’s been a few more cases in recent years.
August 5, 2015
I was a NO NO NO until I saw the trailer as well.
now Im already in line 🙂
ok metaphorically.
August 5, 2015
Oh same Carla!
August 5, 2015
I loved Room – I can’t wait to see the movie. Thank you for letting me know
August 5, 2015
Good to hear Trish – I was a bit of a latecomer to the book all of those years ago. I want to read it again, but don’t… because I know I’ll miss it as soon as I finish it again.
August 5, 2015
I have never heard of the book, but the trailer looks intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
August 6, 2015
It’s great Stephanie… not necessarily light reading / viewing but stunning.
August 6, 2015
I’m so glad I stopped by your blog today. Room is definitely one of my all-time favorite books. I’m so excited to see that someone has made it into a movie. If you decide to read it again, I can strongly recommend the audio book. It was amazing.
August 6, 2015
Oh, that’s a good idea Elsi – I didn’t think of that!
August 6, 2015
Wow – that trailer looks intense! haven’t read the book but from that minute of the trailer, I have a feeling I’d be a blubbering mess and may not have any fingernails left after watching the whole film. I hope the film lives up to your expectations!!
August 6, 2015
Because everything I’d read about the book shared that they escaped Room I guess I knew there was going to be a happy ending. Of sorts. I think the book’s as much about their life after Room and their adjustment (or not) to the outside world.
August 6, 2015
The trailer reminded me of the book Flowers in the Attic, though it wouldn’t be hard to be 100 x better than the movie they made of that!
August 6, 2015
Oh god, so true Janet! I liked those books when I was at school (I think that’s when I read them) and the movie was a shocker, although I saw something recently about the books having been remade as telemovies.
August 8, 2015
Ohh I want to read it now!
August 9, 2015
It’s lovely Jess.
September 25, 2015
I am almost beside myself, loved the book, thought about it for months afterwards and now a movie! Cannot wait. I am an avid reader and am so happy I found you.
September 26, 2015
Thanks! And yes I LOVED the book so can’t wait for the movie, though not sure how it will translate onto screen.