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Room Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

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Room by Emma Donoghue

Room

A Novel

by Emma Donoghue
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (8):
  • Readers' Rating (64):
  • First Published:
  • Sep 13, 2010, 336 pages
  • Paperback:
  • May 2011, 352 pages
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About this Book

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Emma Donoghue and our BookBrowse Review of Room.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

  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?
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  1. How does the author develop themes of identity and belonging throughout the narrative?
  2. What role does the setting play in shaping the characters' decisions and relationships?
  3. Discuss how the ending reframes the events of the story. Were you surprised?


Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Back Bay Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.

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Beyond the Book:
  Emma Donoghue

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