Every week over on Breaking the Spine, book bloggers highlight what books they’re looking forward to. This week, I am kind of waiting on: The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
You’re going to have to read the blurb before I explain why I am actually torn about this but can’t help myself:
In Emma Donoghue’s latest masterpiece, an English nurse brought to a small Irish village to observe what appears to be a miracle-a girl said to have survived without food for months-soon finds herself fighting to save the child’s life.
Tourists flock to the cabin of eleven-year-old Anna O’Donnell, who believes herself to be living off manna from heaven, and a journalist is sent to cover the sensation. Lib Wright, a veteran of Florence Nightingale’s Crimean campaign, is hired to keep watch over the girl.
Written with all the propulsive tension that made Room a huge bestseller, THE WONDER works beautifully on many levels–a tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.
So, I haven’t read Room, and I don’t plan to. I haven’t watched it either, because, well I don’t know. It was a bit overhyped, I guess? Shrugs. I always planned to but I never quite got around to it. But, I can’t say that the rave reviews about Room haven’t got me interested in this.
Part of me is intrigued by a child living on manna from heaven, whatever that is in reality, and an investigator and protector, who both seem built to butt heads.
But, it’s that last paragraph, about it working on many levels that gives me pause — a tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a powerful psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil — it sounds like the book is trying to be too many things at once.
I don’t know, I really am torn — what do you think?
Hmmm. I’m not too sure about this one. It’s probably not for me, but it still looks interesting.
I hope you enjoy it if you do read it.
Thanks for stopping by my #WoW earlier.
I’m quite torn about certain aspects, but I am also very curious about it too. I hope it holds up — by all accounts, Emma Donoghue has a lot to live up to considering the success of room!
I’m looking forward to this one, too! It sounds very different and unique.
I hope the promise in the blurb holds up, Angela. I have to admit to being a little worried about it, but still looking forward to it!
I like the cover and it sounds intriguing, but you bring up some very valid points. That end line really covers the gambit doesn’t it? I also never read Room and tried to convince the husband to watch it one night on demand but he never showed much interest so we just skipped it. If you decide to read it, I will definitely keep an eye out for your thoughts.
I was pretty much into the summary until that last line. I hope it’s just the fault of a very eager publisher and the writing is actually much more focused than that. I will try this out, and post as soon as I’m done.
This is new to me. Not sure how I missed it but it sounds very interesting…
Thanks for spotlighting it today! Happy Reading! Dani @ Paulette’s Papers
I hope it is too, Dani!
I read Room and loved it, so I’m excited for this one too, although I do agree that it sounds like it’s covering a lot of ground (maybe too much). Emma Donoghue is great though so we’ll see. Hopefully we’ll both love it 🙂
Oh, I hope so Suzanne! There’s much here that grabbed my attention and I sincerely hope it’s as good as it sounds!
I like the sound of it to be honest. I have read Room and I think ED is a very good writer but I wasn’t a real lover of it like some others. The concept here sounds very interesting though so I will definitely keep my eye open for this one popping up.
Lynn 😀
It’s that last line that’s tripping me up, Lynn, and I definitely hope I’m being too cautious lol
I’ve really liked a few of Emma Donoghue’s books, but I’m not too sure about this one. I don’t know why!
I confess you just reminded me that I don’t know what she’s written beyond Room and this one! WOOPS. I shall have to check out the rest of her back titles!
I really liked Room, but this one looks very different from that. I agree it may be marketed as too many things in one novel, but I wonder what it will be in reality. I’d be willing to check it out. Thanks for stopping by my WoW earlier!
Me too Sarah — I definitely want to see what it is in reality — and I do hope it manages to be everything the blurb promised!
This is not really my kind of read, but I do love the cover!!
It is a very vintage-y sort of cover, isn’t it?
I haven’t read Room, so I’m not sure what to make of this one, but I think you brought up a fair point. It does sound like too many things are going to happen at once but then, sometimes this is what keeps a reader particularly engaged. I believe it’s all about the writing, it might actually work well and, if you decide to go for it, I surely hope you’re going to have a great time!
Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog earlier 🙂
You’re right, it’s going to depend on Donoghue’s execution of all this — I am hopeful she pulls it off because this really does sound like it could be good!
I know what you mean about being torn. I really loved Room (book and movie), but this one does sound like it’s trying to be too many things. I would definitely read (borrow from the library) and see how this one is.
I definitely want to give it a try, but yeah, maybe borrow not buy. I definitely WANT it to be good *fingers crossed*
I really want to read The Wonder. I also haven’t read Room, not for any reason. I did see the movie because it was streaming for free on Amazon Prime. 🙂 It was really well done! It made me cry, and I rarely cry in movies or books.
I cried at the trailer for Room. I am such a wuss lol I really hope this is as good as Room seems.
You know, I’ve never heard of either “Room” or “The Wonder”, but I do like the sound of the second one. Just mention the word “psychological”, and I’m all in! I would definitely be interested in knowing more.
Here’s a suggestion: why don’t you wait until a few months after the book is published, and then see if your local library has a copy? Or see if you can get it through Netgalley. If you buy the ebook edition (hopefully it will be cheap), you won’t feel that you spent too much money on a book you don’t like. Just a couple of suggestions for you, lol. 🙂
I’m adding this book to my Goodreads shelves, because I think it sounds like it will be a FASCINATING read!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Also, thanks for commenting on my own WOW post!! 🙂
I will try Netgalley, Maria — actually, I just did and requested it, we’ll see what happens 🙂 It does sound fascinating, and I am crossing my fingers it’s as awesome as it seems to be.
Hmm, it might be trying to do too much. I’m not sure though, I rarely read literary fiction. Anywho, I hope you enjoy if you do check it out.
I still can’t quite shake that it is trying to do too much, but I am hoping the author pulls it off — I will be very impressed if she does!
You know, I think that you might be right about this one. It does seem like it is trying to pull off too much. I have not read Room either, so I don’t know about the author’s style. I am very intrigued by the fact that it seems to have an interesting premise and the psychological thriller aspect sounds exciting. Thanks for sharing this one!