Monday 16 February 2015

Book Review: The Room by Jonas Karlsson

Title: The Room
Author: Jonas Karlsson
Publisher:
Hogarth
Publication Date: 17 February 2015
Pages: 128
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Fiction
Source: ARC via NetGalley



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804139989/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0804139989&linkCode=as2&tag=nijma-20&linkId=KWOXNOSK7PDMUETX
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Bjorn is a compulsive, exacting bureaucrat who discovers a secret room at the government office where he works-a secret room that no one else in his office will acknowledge. When Bjorn is in his room, what his coworkers see is him standing by the wall and staring off into space looking dazed, relaxed, and decidedly creepy. Bjorn's bizarre behavior eventually leads his coworkers to try to have him fired, but Bjorn will turn the tables on them with help from his secret room. Debut author Jonas Karlsson doesn't leave a word out of place in this brilliant, bizarre, delightful take on how far we will go-in a world ruled by conformity-to live an individual and examined life. (Goodreads Synopsis)


The Room is a delightful read that very much reminds one of the works of Kafka. The story is simple and plainly told, and yet it exudes confidence and every subtle twist and turn is a pleasure to read. Despite its outward simplicity, the story poses many interesting questions on the nature of conformity and the struggle for individuality in a global culture. A masterful debut work. 




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