"I find the lollipop nearly in the bottom, it's a red ball shape. I wash my arms and my lollipop too because there's yucky stew on it. I get the plastic right off and I suck it and suck it, it's the sweetest thing I ever had. I wonder if this is what Outside tastes like."

I had originally seen snippets of this film on Tiktok, without knowing it was originally a novel. So it goes with a good portion of movies, not holding a candle to the book they originated from. But because of seeing bits and pieces of the movie, I was hesitant to pick up the book - the child always screaming and complaining seemed like an entitled brat, even given the circumstances. But Emma Donoghue was brilliant in writing in the perspective of Jack. Initially I found it hard to follow with the phrasing and grammar of a sheltered five year old, but viewing the world from Jack's eyes created a sort of intimacy. In the film adaptation, Jack's indignance is poorly illustrated, while in the novel Donoghue captures his innocence and fragility. Jack's narrative makes their confined space seem full of adventure and possiblity, while simultaneously adding a level of poignancy and authenticity that enhances the emotional impact far beyond the movie’s portrayal.