The Room, by Emma Donoghue

So I have managed to read another book! As always, it took me awhile because my life consists of more than just me reading alone. Now there's other people, and I want to talk to them. And there are games to play and tv shows to watch and conversations concerning ice cream to have!

I acquired this book via Books-A-Million gift card. I took a chance on it because it was, essentially, free. I'm glad I did.

It concerns Jack, 5 year old boy, and Ma, 26-ish mother, and their Room. Jack has never left the room, he knows no other world, so it is Room. Bed is Bed, and wardrobe is Wardrobe. They are people to him. He knows of things outside Room, via television and books, but Ma told him they are make-believe. They are not real.

Jack tells the story, so the mystery of why they are in Room is not known to us until Ma decides to tell him. The story up to that point drags. It's kind of interesting, trying to decode Jack's observations of things to figure out what is really going on, but once you figure that his mother was kidnapped and the guy has them prisoner, it's kind of slow. You just want the book to get to the point.

Ma angers me. The escape plan requires Jack to do things he's never done in a world he's never known, and she's understandably in a hurry to do this, but she's impatient with him and I don't like it. Same thing when they finally do escape. She just wants to run around and live, but her child has never been outside, grass is scary, people are scary, EVERYTHING IS SCARY and she has the audacity to get mad at him for being frightened, and it fucking pissed me off. And THEN! Then she decides life is too tough and attempts suicide. Jack has to go stay with his Grandmother, who he barely knows, and who tries to understand him, but makes some really shitty mistakes at first. She thinks she knows kids, but she doesn't know this kid! She can't stop to think "Maybe this will freak him out. Maybe I shouldn't except him to love a playground just because all other kids love playgrounds."

But in the end, Ma and Jack are free, and they're making their way, and you get the idea that everything will be okay eventually.

I also read "Memories of the Future: Volume I" by Wil Wheaton, where he rewatches the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation and writes hilarious synopses and critiques, and behind-the-scenes memories. It was funny, and actually prompted me to watch a few of those old episodes on youtube. However, it's only Volume I. Where's Volume II, dude? You only covered half the season!

Viktor Hertz

Viktor Hertz is an artist. He calls himself a graphic designer, but to me he is an artist. He does these awesome pictograms of movies and ideas that I absolutely LOVE.

Link to his web page: http://viktorhertz.carbonmade.com/

Link to his Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hertzen/ Be sure to check out the Taxi Driver and Rosemary's Baby movie posters!