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''The Room'' is the second novel by
Hubert Selby Jr.
Hubert "Cubby" Selby Jr. (July 23, 1928 – April 26, 2004) was an American writer. Two of his novels, ''Last Exit to Brooklyn'' (1964) and ''Requiem for a Dream'' (1978) explore worlds in the New York area and were adapted as films, both of whi ...
, first published in 1971. It is often regarded as one of the most violent and disturbing books ever written.
[World on the fringes of writer Selby]
, BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
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Plot
The novel centers on a nameless petty criminal locked in a remand cell awaiting trial for a
crime only vaguely defined. As the novel progresses the man surrenders himself to self-pity and hatred, constructing elaborate fantasies of revenge and the torture he wishes to inflict on the officers who, he believes, falsely arrested him.
Reception
Selby described the critical reception of the book as "the greatest reviews I've ever read in my life", although in reality it was not well received.
[Guttridge, Peter (2004)]
Obituaries: Hubert Selby Jnr
, ''The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...
'' The novel was regarded by Selby as the most disturbing book ever written, and Selby stated that he himself was unable to read it again for 20 years.
At least one reviewer has expressed similar feelings, with claims that reading the novel made him physically sick. It has been described as "a terrifying journey into the darkest corners of the psyche."
In popular culture
A section of ''The Room'' is used in
Richard Linklater
Richard Stuart Linklater (; born July 30, 1960) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for films that revolve mainly around suburban culture and the effects of the passage of time. His films include the comedies '' ...
's ''
Waking Life
''Waking Life'' is a 2001 American experimental adult animated film written and directed by Richard Linklater. The film explores a wide range of philosophical issues, including the nature of reality, dreams and lucid dreams, consciousness, the ...
'', where a red-faced man in a jail cell describes in vivid detail the abuse he intends to inflict once he is released.
[Selby Hubert (1971) ''The Room'']
The 2008
death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...
track "Beg, You Dogs" by the band
Benediction
A benediction (Latin: ''bene'', well + ''dicere'', to speak) is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service. It can also refer to a specific Christian religious service including the expositio ...
is based on the book.
References
1971 American novels
Novels by Hubert Selby Jr.
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