Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
The ROOM discussion
It's time to discuss our book. You can answer as many or as little of the questions as you want. I thought maybe this would get the ball rolling and then we can go from there! I enjoyed the book a lot. Maybe we can do Sarah's Key for next month if everyone is in agreement since that was the 2nd book suggested.
First rate on a scale of 1-10.
Why do you think the entire book is told in Jack?s voice? Do you think it is effective? What are some of the ways in which Jack?s development has been stunted by growing up in Room? How has he benefited? If you were Ma, what would you miss most about the outside world? What would you do differently if you were Jack?s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start? If Ma had never given birth to Jack, what would her situation in Room be like? What would you ask for, for Sundaytreat, if you were Jack? If you were Ma? Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick?s story?What does joining the outside world do to Jack? To Ma? What role do you think the media play in the novel? In a similar situation, how would you teach a child the difference between the real world and what they watch on television? Why are we so fascinated by stories of long-term confinement? What were you most affected by in the novel?
Re: The ROOM discussion
I would rate the book about a 6 or 7.
1. Why do you think the entire book is told in Jack?s voice? Do you think it is effective?
I think the book was told in his perspective so we could live the story though him. Although, I think it was effective I think it was hard to get used to at first.
2. What are some of the ways in which Jack?s development has been stunted by growing up in Room? How has he benefited?
He obviously doesn't have the greatest health due to lack of food, vitamins and doctors. He also is not very educated due to being locked in a room and having no schooling. I think he was stunted but at the same time also benefited from not having to deal with the harsh realities of the crazy world!
3. If you were Ma, what would you miss most about the outside world?
Wow I am not a homebody at all so I would almost miss everything of the outside world.... the grass, the trees, the sun, the socialization with others on a daily basis. Everything that I take for granted right now.
4. What would you do differently if you were Jack?s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start?
I would probably try to tell him as much from the start as I could and also maybe ask for some nature books and other books to show him some of the things that he was missing and get him ready for the outside world in hopes that some day soon he would get to experience that.
5. If Ma had never given birth to Jack, what would her situation in Room be like?
If Jack was not around, I think Ma would have it worse. Jack kept her going and kept her spirits up but without him I think she may have just given up on life itself.
6. What would you ask for, for Sundaytreat, if you were Jack? If you were Ma?
If I were Jack I'm sure I would ask for a toy or for dessert of some kind.
If I were Ma, I would ask for newspapers / magazines so that I would be able to see what was going on in the outside world!
7. Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick?s story?
The less you know about Old Nick the more intriguing the story is. Also, it keeps the focus more on Ma and Jack.
8. What does joining the outside world do to Jack? To Ma?
The outside world to Jack is definitely sensory overload so he wants to go back to his comfort zone which is the Room since it's the only thing that he knows and is familiar.
As far as Ma, I think it is liberating for her to be out but also hurtful and different to deal with her parents again after all these years.
9. What role do you think the media play in the novel?
I don't think they really play that much of a role. Not as much as expected when a situation like that happens.
10. In a similar situation, how would you teach a child the difference between the real world and what they watch on television?
It would be hard but I would try to tell them by showing them on the TV the real and fake and telling him stories of things in my past life.
11. Why are we so fascinated by stories of long-term confinement?
Because it's fascinating and mesmerizing to hear other stories of something that you have never experienced and could never imagine in a million years. You want to hear what people went through and what it was like so you can try to imagine yourself in that situation.
12. What were you most affected by in the novel?
I think during the whole book, I kept thinking about being her and what I would do to try to get them out of there and for my son to live a normal life. I think the best part was when he was escaping and what happened. I was so afraid that Old Nick was going to take him back but luckily the guy and the dog scared him off! I wonder what goes on in peoples minds that are that sick to kidnap someone and hold them against their will!
Hopefully these answers make sense. I'm exhausted and not feeling well but wanted to post now since I'm not sure that I will be on until late tomorrow and I know everyone gets on here at different times.
Thanks for organizing this!
First rate on a scale of 1-10.
I rate it an 8.
Why do you think the entire book is told in Jack?s voice? Do you think it is effective? I think the author wanted to capture the story from a different prespective. I definately think it was effective. You were able to draw your only opinons/thoughts but at the same time you see how innocent and naive Jack is. What are some of the ways in which Jack?s development has been stunted by growing up in Room? How has he benefited? Aside from medical treatment, I would say his social skills and being able to relate/have kid interactions other than the TV. I think he's benefited by appreciating the little things in the outside world and his innocence. If you were Ma, what would you miss most about the outside world? I kept thinking about this when I was reading the book...there's so much! Feeling the sun on my skin, fresh air, smell of fresh cut grass, having different foods & chocolate/ice cream, just being able to have an adult conversation other than with your victom, freedom of doing anything and everything. AND a washer & dryer. I can't imagine doing my laundry in the bathtub. What would you do differently if you were Jack?s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start? Honestly, I think she did a great job doing what she had to do, considering the circumstances. Altho everytime I read about the breastfeeding, I wanted to gag. Phrases like 'the left is creamer' made me slightly gag. I probably wouldn't have told Jack about the outside world right away because then I would think that would make him sad in some way. Even though he's never experienced it, he would always wonder. I would want him to capture his youth and be a kid. If Ma had never given birth to Jack, what would her situation in Room be like? VERY lonely. Having Jack with her gave her a sense of purpose; a daily routine. She had to be responsible for another human being. What would you ask for, for Sundaytreat, if you were Jack? If you were Ma? For Jack it would be more games/toys. For Ma, I would say something as a treat for herself, like something she missed food wise. Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick?s story? Ma relied on Old Nick for the essentials. He had the power. As you read in the book, he could turn the heat off and stop delivering their supplies and their life would end. She had to 'keep the peace' with Old Nick for means of surival. I don't think there was enough dimension for Old Nick's story. I would have like to known what made Old Nick do it. What does joining the outside world do to Jack? To Ma? Jack is faced with the unknown. He doesn't know how to behave with others and his surroundings. As for Ma, it caused her to overdose on her pain meds. It was too overwhelming for her. She left the world as a teenager and came back as an adult and a mom. What role do you think the media play in the novel? It definately gave exposure to a sick and cruel thing these 2 were victomized to. In a similar situation, how would you teach a child the difference between the real world and what they watch on television? This is a tough one. I really don't know what I would do. I would try to explain the entertainment part of the TV and how it really is in the real world. Why are we so fascinated by stories of long-term confinement? I'm thinking because of the unknown and the mentality of it all. What were you most affected by in the novel? The almost daily tourture of Ma having to sleep with Old Nick. I mean its bad enough she has to live in confinement, and for so many years, but she had to be physical with him too. UGH. Sick.
I'd give this book a 7.5/8. It was unusual, but I couldn't help thinking about Jaycee Dugard, the girl who was kidnapped and held for 18 years. I haven't read anything like it, that's for sure. Once I got used to Jack's way of telling the story, it got easier to read. I definitely liked the first part of the book more than the end. I felt the end was kind of anticlimactic.
I give the book a 7 or so....it was good, but not something I would read again.
10/11: Dx PCOS, 2000mg Metformin
My Blog
April Nesties March siggy challenge: Next Vacation, Anguilla!!