It's Jack's 5th birthday and this year Ma has given him a drawing of himself, Old Nick comes in the night and leaves a gift for JAck too, but Ma doesn't want him to have it. Jack and Ma live in room with all of their friends: wardrobe, bed, stove, bath, and plant. Because Jack is a big boy now his other birthday gift is learning about "Outside," a place they haven't ever been but Ma would like to see again.
This leads to a daring escape and the emotional troubles of being freed from captivity. Told by Jack, the first 1/3 of the story drudges on a bit (yes, I get it, you are in a room) but boy oh boy does it pick up after that.
Not many books really get at my insides but this one made me tear up and have strange dreams of captivity. It was fantastic how Donoghue was able to convey a ton of information through the mind of a 5 year old.
Rating: ****
Quotes:
"Scared is what you're feeling. Brave is what you're doing"
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