Today I wanted to look back at the first psychological thriller I remember reading as a young teen, Room by Emma Donoghue. Darkly creative, its unique narration style and messed-up premise have always stuck with me.

The narrator, Jack, is a 5-year-old boy who has never seen the outside world. His entire existence has taken place inside “Room.” The only people he knows are himself, his mother, and Old Nick, the man who brings them supplies. They have a TV where they watch people Jack believes aren’t real, along with a few basic pieces of furniture. Jack has lived this simple life for as long as he can remember and never realizes anything is wrong.

One day, his mother reveals the truth: there is an entire world beyond the door – a world where she was raised before she was kidnapped as a teenager and locked away inside Room. Now that Jack is old enough to begin understanding, can they hatch an escape plan together?

Since the book is narrated by a five-year-old, Donoghue makes a point to write the dialogue the way a child that age would actually speak. Some people find this creative choice frustrating, but I think it adds to the authenticity of the story. It puts the reader in the mindset of a little boy whose whole world has just been turned upside down.

I actually came upon this book by chance. When my cousins visited from Ireland one year, they brought a friend with them, and that friend accidentally left his copy at my parents’ house. They ended up losing contact with him soon after, so I just kinda ended up with the book. This was my first real dip into the psychological thriller genre that I can remember (I was probably around 14 years old), and for that reason, it’s always stuck with me.

It’s definitely one of a kind, so if you’re looking for a unique read this summer, this is a great pick! Just note that it covers some very heavy themes.