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Format: Audio Book
Genre:Fiction
Purchase: Indie Bound
Challenge: 2012 Audio Book Challenge
This is a book I tried to read after BEA 2 years ago because of all the buzz. I couldn't do it.
It is in the voice of a 5 year old boy and it was difficult for me to wrap my head around his simple verbage or lack thereof.
So, I turned to the audio. Though jarring at first to hear the tale being told by a animated, mostly cheerful child, it turned out to be utterly, wholly absorbing. I was fascinated, riveted by the awesomeness of his perception of things. Room to him was his world. He knew no other. The rituals, the structure in which his mother created for him, safe, sound, secure, everything he needed.
The voice of his mother, naturally, was the opposite. Lovable, nuturing, yet tense. Calm yet ready to break at any time. Encouraging yet bored with the pace of their existence.
The story alone is one that will make you shudder. A woman kidnapped, forced in captivity, assaulted repeatedly, made to give birth alone and raise that child in one room with no questions asked and no hope of escaping. It made my blood boil at times.
I was so moved to rage and sadness while listening to this story. I loved the little boy Jack, wanted to rescue the mother, kill the abductor and shake the media. Then I would flip flop and get irritated at the boy, curse the mom and the whole situation.
You as a reader, understand Jack's inability to care about the outside world because he doesn't know anything else but you also feel the frustration of the mother who so badly wants to get back to it.
Rating: Recommend
Overall, the listening experience proved to be much better than the reading for me. The voice of Jack was riveting to listen to and I yearned for freedom and happiness for them both. I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read it or listened to it.
I'm on a listening roll. This one did not disappoint.
Happy reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!
red headed book child
6 comments:
Intriguing, i'm surprised you tried again, obviously you wanted to experience this book, good for you.
Sounds good.
Oh wow. Sounds very very powerful.
I'm not sure I could listen to it but I can see how the voice of a child made it more engaging.
Wow, so it is a child narrating the audio? That's cool... is it a well known child actor? Anyway, I'm glad you found a format to enjoy it in because I thought it was a great read!
I listened to this on audio too, and it certainly made for a compelling listen! Great review. :)
I'm glad you enjoyed this one Michelle! I've passed my copy on to a couple gals in my book club and they are loving it also. One gal just told me last night that she can't read it at night though, because it is just too disturbing.
Never have made up my mind about this one, some just love it and others loathe it. But the audio sounds like a great way to go. May have to look into that!
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