Friday, October 8, 2010

ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY: ROOM AUDIO BOOK- REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS FRIDAY'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
AUDIO BOOK CHOICE IS.....
GIVEAWAY ENDED
ROOM
BY EMMA DONOGHUE
Shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize

ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Dublin in 1969, Emma Donoghue is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction whose novels include the bestselling Slammerkin, The Sealed Letter, Landing, Life Mask, Hood, and Stirfry. Her story collections are The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits, Kissing the Witch, and Touchy Subjects. She also writes literary history, and plays for stage and radio. She lives in London, Ontario, with her partner and their two small children. For more information, go to www.emmadonoghue.com.

Audio and Video


"I was born in Ireland in 1969 and lived in England before moving to Canada. I write fiction (including the bestselling Slammerkin), drama for stage and radio, and literary history; Room is my seventh novel. Some of the places I found inspiration : Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719), ), FeralChildren.com, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road (2006), Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Aurora Leigh (1856), John Fowles’s The Collector (1963), Anne Frank’s Diary (1947), Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932), Terminator 2 : Judgment Day (1991), The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs (1966), but above all in conversation with my five-year-old son."

MY REVIEW:

Emma Donoghue's ROOM is an amazingly different kind of book that hit me unlike anything I have read in a very long time. I was concerned reading the first few pages as initially I thought that the five year old narrator’s way of expressing himself was too frustrating for me to get used to. However, I stuck with it and within a few minutes became intrigued at what Jack, the child, was saying. Jack referred to things like calling a pitifully wilted plant “Plant”, and his bed he called “Bed”, as if those were their names like his was Jack. The people he saw on television were “Only TV”, and you slowly realize that the likes of Bed and Plant are characters to him because this is Jack‘s world. These characters live in the only world Jack knows and so of course they have names just like his mother is “Ma”. This is Jack’s world and he literally believes that anything outside of ROOM is outer space.

Readers learn through Jack’s narration that “Ma” has been locked in ROOM for seven years. Thus one realizes that Jack has been in ROOM for all of his five years with neither ever having set foot outside of this eleven square foot converted shed in all that time. You ascertain that Ma was kidnapped as a young college student by a man whom she and Jack refer to as “Old Nick”. As details of Ma’s kidnapping and subsequent repeated rapes are revealed the horror of what is really going on goes far beyond a story told about just a five year old’s life. Readers are seeing the story through Jack’s eyes and so there is nothing graphic about the criminal assaults by “Old Nick”. However, the mere emotional tension as Jack counts and listens to how many times the bedsprings squeak when Old Nick visits at night allows one to feel the psychological terror Ma endures. Each and every evening that Old Nick comes in ROOM, Ma submits in order to keep her son safe and in return for Old Nick bringing them much needed bare bones supplies on Sundays. Ma realizes that they must find a way out for Jack’s safety if not her sanity.

Jack has no interaction with Old Nick as Ma wants to protect Jack from any contact with something so evil. But one night it all becomes too much for Ma and she realizes they must try and escape before Old Nick decides to do something to Jack. Her goal is to protect her son  and she worries about what could become of them and doesn’t let Old Nick see him lest Jack be tainted by his evil. 

Jack and Ma have such a strong bond and you have to admire Ma for her dedication to raising Jack as normally as possible in what is an anything but normal situation. And the suspense builds as Ma begins to plan an escape. The only world that Jack knows will be no more.

Looking at the world through Jack’s eyes is fascinating as well as frightening, whether in ROOM or not. What is Jack’s life really like in ROOM and how will that change if he leaves that prison he calls ROOM? What kind of life will Jack and Ma lead if they do escape? Will Jack be able to acclimate to the real world? 

It is no surprise that ROOM is on the short list for the Man Booker Prize to be announced in October. This psychological thriller will get inside your head as much as Jack will get inside your heart. Living in Jack’s world is disturbing while fascinating. The creativity with which Donoghue portrays such a disturbing and terrifying subject will draw you in and not let you alone even long after you have left the ROOM. She has created a believable portrait of what we sadly know from today’s headlines every day in our  WORLD could happen and does. I strongly recommend you get a copy of this BOOK and go to your ROOM and start reading right away. I am pretty sure you won’t stop until you finish the BOOK.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO ANNA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS FASCINATING
NEW AUDIO BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT ROOM ABOVE AND WHY YOU THINK YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN THIS AS AN AUDIO BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY


+1 (0R ?) MORE ENTRIES: COMMENT ON ONE CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. FOR EVERY ONE YOU ENTERED AND COMMENT ON SEPARATELY, IT COUNTS AS ANOTHER ENTRY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, OCTOBER 29!


GOOD LUCK!

124 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I think it's so interesting that the story is told by a young child and am so curious about what the narration would be like!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I also entered the Tania French giveaway

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

debbie said...

I find it so interesting that it is told through a 5 year old. I think this would add to the shock, when you listen to it. I would really like to have this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the just one taste giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the freedom audiobook giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the bury your dead audiobook giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the mary mac tearoom giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

I've heard a lot of buzz about this book, including the breakout idea of the Booker prize. It seems like such a sad subject, done well.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Tana French giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Bury Your Dead.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered False Friend.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Thereby Hangs a Tale.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Mary Mac Tearoom giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Once Wicked, Always Dead.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Just One Taste.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Jon Stewart giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

PoCoKat said...

Would love to win this audiobook...it sounds fascinating...that his mother has been held captive for 7 years.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Anonymous said...

I think this story sounds very interesting. The story is told by a young child. Please enter me in contest. I would like to win this audio book. Tore923@aol.com

justpeachy36 said...

I have heard so much about his book and the powerful story it is. One thing that I find fascinating about it is that the little boy not only has been kept in this room but he was also born in it. His mother's abduction has colored his life in such a profound way.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I entered the giveaway for a copy of Freedom...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Steve Capell said...

I can’t imagine the physiological damage that can occur by being kept captive for seven years. This book sounds like an emotional novel and one that I would like to give a listen too. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This fascinating yet disturbing book is intriguing. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

gcpeach17 said...

To listen to this audio book through a childs voice and perspective is going to be awesome. I would absolutely love to win this audio book.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

gcpeach17 said...

I entered False Friend Giveaway

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Linda Kish said...

This book sounds terrific. Good write-ups. I'd love to be able to listen to the audiobook.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Mary Mac's Tearoom giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the False Friend giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Alphabet Woof giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered the National Adopt-a-dog month giveaway

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Team JC said...

I have heard so much about this book. I am even more interested in this audio book since it is told through the voice of a child. Thanks! ctgriffin99 at aol dot com

hendy said...

I like that it's told from the voice of a young boy (interesting plot line) and I need something to listen to on my 30 min. drive to work each day.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Tweeted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/27017438888
hmhenderson At yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Entered Just One Taste giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Just One Taste Part 2 Interview
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hendy said...

Entered Lethal Lies giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Freedom giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Bury Your Dead giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered The Search For Wondla giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered The Room (hard copy) giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Mary Mac’s Tea Room
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hendy said...

Entered Please Stop Laughing At Me
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hendy said...

Entered the False Friend giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Alphabet Woof book giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Ciao Italia cookbook giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Once Wicked Always Dead book giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART PRESENTS EARTH giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered OCTOBER PARANORMAL ROMANCE GIVEAWAY
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hendy said...

Entered IF YOU LIVED HERE YOU'D BE HOME
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hendy said...

Entered NATIONAL ADOPT-A-DOG MONTH GIVEAWAY
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Tina said...

I really am interested in hearing this from the child's perspective. I love audio books. Please enter me.

tbranco at hughes DOT net

g.g. said...

I would like to win the audio book of Room because I want to hear how it is read being it is from a child's point of view.

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I entered for the Halloween paranormal romance giveaway

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I entered for the adopt a dog month giveaway

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Tina said...

I also entered the giveaway for Bury Your Dead

tbranco AT hughes DOT net

g.g. said...

I entered for Mary Mac's Tea Room

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Tina said...

You are posted in the Giveaway sidebar of my blog http//tutus2cents.blogspot.com

Glenn said...

Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Laura H. said...

What a compelling book! This is the first psychological thriller I've heard of told from a 5-year-old's perspective. Interesting!!! I would like to win the audio book so that on my drive to and from work I can pick up right where I left off reading the night before. Thanks for the giveaway!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/27773608222

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered “The Search for WondLa” giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Entered “The False Friend” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Alphabet Woof” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Once Wicked, Always Dead” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Ciao Italia” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Room” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Oogy” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “The Good Sister” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Safe Haven” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Earth” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Safe Haven” audio book giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered the October Paranormal Romance giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “If You Lived Here, You’d be Home Now” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Dead Head” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Dirty Business Mystery Books 2&3” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “Let’s Eat!” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered National Adopt-a-Dog Month 5-Book giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “A Nose for Justice” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “The False Friend” author Interview giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “The Home for the Friendless” giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered the Halloween Books for Kids giveaway.

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Laura H. said...

Entered “The Search for WondLa” bonus entries giveaway.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

This looks like a book that would be very hard to put down once started, so I think listening to the audio version would add so much to the reading experience.

Jolee said...

I find it fascinating that this is narrated from the child's perspective and wonder how this will present itself in audio. Wow. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Am intrigued by the story being told thru the eyes of a 5 year old (If I entered just about the same comment, sorry! I didn't think it went through). joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

also entered Ciao Italia joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

also entered Kids Halloween book giveaway. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

also entered Room (the book) giveaway. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

also entered Oogy giveaway. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered Good Sister Giveaway. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered SAfe Haven giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Safe Haven audio giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered If you lived here, you would be home giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Dead Head giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Nose for Justice giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Home for the Friendless giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered National Adopt a Dog Mo giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Painted Ladies giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Fly Away Home giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

entered Juliet giveaway too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

hendy said...

Entered Kids Halloween Book Set giveaway
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Entered The Good Sister giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Dead Head Mystery Series giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Let’s Eat giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered A Nose for Justice giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered A Home for the Friendless giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Painted Ladies giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Fly Away Home giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Juliet giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered A Desirable Residence Audio book giveaway
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hendy said...

Entered Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook
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rubynreba said...

Just thinking of a young child held in a room is mind boggling! An audio book would be an interesting way to hear this story.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered Oogy giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered The Good Sister giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Jon Stewart giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Safe Haven audio giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered If You Lived Here You'd Be Home giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Dead Head & Dirty Business giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Let's Eat giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered A Nose for Justice giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered The Home for the Friendless giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Painted Ladies giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Fly Away Home giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Entered A Desirable Residence giveaway
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rubynreba said...

Entered Better Homes & Garden New Cookbook giveaway
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