The Room by Hubert Selby Jnr-BOOK REVIEW

[@niaralosusa]

This review of The Room is exactly how I feel about it. I was interested in reading a dark novel and, after much research on the internet, I decided to read it. I was very disappointed. Much like you, I made it through several dozen pages, found myself skim-reading, then asking myself "why am I doing this?" Spot on! Regards

[@shortycareface9678]

I had similar experiences with this one. The dog scene (and a certain other scene) absolutely blew my mind.... but besides that it was largely uneventful. And yes, I understand that that's probably the point. Doesn't make it more engrossing, however. While I did enjoy the fluidity of the narrative (to a certain degree), I just found this novel too repetitive, in general.

[@AuthorJamesFlynn]

Yeah, it’s a bit like reading the ramblings of a madman on methamphetamines (If that’s how you spell it), with a couple of shocking chapters thrown in.

[@seifhashem6818]

Man I think you’re going really hard on the book , the writing style and apostrophes thing you can completely forget about if you focus on the story not the author , the book has many other cool parts in it than the dogs such as the cross examining , the circus and the rape scene ,which is the most disturbing in the book, you can easily conclude that the protagonist is not guilty because of course no one would be that pissed off if he was actually guilty lol, my only problem with the book is the cinema part which I didn’t find relevant, otherwise , it’s a perfect novel Regarding requiem for a dream , never judge that one by it’s beginning ! , that one really proves Selby as a genius in psychological horror , and if you haven’t seen the movie this book will haunt you after finishing it , it just takes it’s time to uncover itself , and it’s my all time favorite book.

[@AuthorJamesFlynn]

I think his writing style either clicks with you, or it doesn’t. For me, it just doesn’t work. I don’t mind a bit of manic chaos, for example I love Fear and Loathing, but Selby’s style just gives me a headache.

[@seifhashem6818]

Well , Selby’s style is indeed polarizing , personally I liked it because it emphasizes emotion when there is a flow of thoughts like in the room case , but I can get if you didn’t like it , but like I said , if you get invested in the story and put yourself in the protagonist’s shoes you’d completely forget about the style , you can even enjoy it.

[@niaralosusa]

...interesting perspective. I actually felt the opposite about the main character...I felt that he was likely not innocent and was angry he was finally caught...for some petty crime, nonetheless. Who else understands the very nature of evilness and depravity than someone who has experienced it first hand (i.e. a serial killer or psychopath)?

[@carlkamuti]

Maybe you'd be better off listening to audiobooks of his books, rather than straining your mind.

[@AuthorJamesFlynn]

They’re too expensive for my liking.