Book club choice for 29th March – 26th April, Room by Emma Donoghue
On the 29th March my book club will meet for the first time, at this meeting we will discuss how the club will be run and choose the next couple of books we would like to read.
We are kicking off with Room by Emma Donoghue. On the 26th April we will be discussing this book and answering the discussion points below. We will make a group decision on what we liked most about the book and giving it a star rating out of 5. I will then write and post a review taking the other group members opinions into consideration.
I would like to offer you the opportunity to be a virtual member of this book club. If you would like to read the book over the same time period that we are I would appreciate it if you would consider answering some or all of the discussion questions. I will then collate all your answers and incorporate them into the physical book club on April 26th, an average star rating will be worked out from the virtual and physical members opinions.
If this idea works out and takes off I will continue it and lists will be published of upcoming book choices, you are welcome to suggest books for later months and I will either start a poll or let the actual book group make the final decision.
Here are the discussion points for Room, courtesy of http://www.ReadingGroupGuides.com
1. Why do you think the entire book is told in Jack’s voice? Do you think it is effective?
2. What are some of the ways in which Jack’s development has been stunted by growing up in Room? How has he benefited?
3. If you were Ma, what would you miss most about the outside world?
4. What would you do differently if you were Jack’s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start?
5. If Ma had never given birth to Jack, what would her situation in Room be like?
6. What would you ask for, for Sundaytreat, if you were Jack? If you were Ma?
7. Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick’s story?
8. What does joining the outside world do to Jack? To Ma?
9. What role do you think the media play in the novel?
10. In a similar situation, how would you teach a child the difference between the real world and what they watch on television?
11. Why are we so fascinated by stories of long-term confinement?
12. What were you most affected by in the novel?
Further to these questions please suggest future books you would like to read, give a star rating and a short synopsis of what you thought of the book.
Thankyou, I look forward to welcoming you to the group.
Adele
