The Book of Ruth

There’s no polite way to describe this book, and some that are too polite. A hard-ass Victorian would hate it thoroughly, and many a critic will just pat themselves on the back like, Look at me reading a book. In general people refuse to look from the crime looking out, instead of the police or the press looking in, which means it runs against the grain, in some ways, although in others it’s deeply dyed in ordinariness. It’s like the opposite of the news, in other words.

It’s familiarity turned into a crime, without the external voice telling them what they’re like. The first-person aspect of it is central to the way that the whole thing is presented.

The errors that lead to crime are so gradual and commonplace that much of it show more is simple and easy to read. You hate your mom; you pick a bad boyfriend. You cultivate the veneer; you by turns idolize and burn with jealousy towards those not in the same prison as you. You don’t see anything wrong, do you?

At the same time, in the end it’s not about looking away from the mirror.

.......................

“The day I’m working towards wasn’t so very long ago. I’m about to tell how it went so everyone will know. I’d like to think it won’t happen again. Once is enough for the whole earth. It shouldn’t recur and if I tell about the day, step by step, people can understand certain warning signs. Then nothing like it will take place again, not ever. I imagine, when I’m sitting here, that I’m ringing a bell, and someone will hear, but to tell the truth, I also know that it isn’t very often that people change their ways. Still, I have to ring the bell, keep it sounding.” (p. 253/294 nook edition).

I think a lot of people would either see this as fluffy dross (“your life’s not important enough to write about”), or, indeed, as a caramelized treat for the mind (“oh, so I reached the end, great”); I’m slightly distressed and greatly mystified by this.

I think that it’s about halfway between a comedy and the Holocaust, you know.

It’s like a sci-fi action flick, except nothing physically improbable happens, and you’re spared the balletic glitter of how rich you are, and the subsequent coming-down alienation realization that, indeed, you are not.

In other words, it’s the opposite. “There’s nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison.”

To me it is a prison.... and to her. show less

"The Book of Ruth" is exquisitely written and disturbingly powerful. The story illustrates the painful life of dimwitted Ruth and how a single decision would change the landscape of her existence forever. This book is a page turner through to the end, and the climax is agonizing. I will not forget these characters for a long time. Beware that this book is NOT a warm & fuzzy read.

I don't know why but when I kept seeing this book on shelves I thought it was about Ruth from the bible, some historical fiction or retelling in a modern setting. I couldn't have been more wrong! It's about a girl from a poor family that I can only describe as "white trash" (sorry if the term offends!). She's rather naive. She grows up and has a kid and never seems to change her situation or better herself much. If you've ever wondered why people continue to live in squalor, with others who treat them miserably, read this book. Even though Ruth's value system and interests were totally different from my own, the author did such a good job of portraying Ruth with frankness and honesty that I found myself thinking: well, I can see how she show more thinks/feels that way. This story is brutal, hilarious and strange. I liked it just because it was so different and so realistic in a gritty mundane sort of way.

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this was certainly worth the second read i gave it. hamilton's descriptions of people, places, thoughts, and feelings are so accessible. there is much pain in this book as ruth lives a very difficult life, but there is also much humor. ruth's great knowledge of people is both on the mark and very unexpected. looking forward to reading more of her. this book shows the importance of love and also how easy it is to be blinded by love.

Read this book for the characters, not the plot. Hamilton's narrator is simple and comical and endearing. For example, her description of an elderly neighbor from her childhood: "[Mrs. Foote] had several black moles on her face and breasts so big if they had hands at the end of them they might be useful." (p. 80)

Read this book for heartbreak, not for happiness. If you're looking for a light read, this isn't it. But it's damn fine fiction.

The Book of Ruth is usually my type of book. I'm sitting here having difficulty describing it because it is, basically, completely lacking in plot. Rush is a girl, and she has a family, and she goes to school, where she has some friends and some not-friends, and then she meets a guy, and she's good at bowling. Yep, that's it. The point is, I usually LIKE this, so why didn't I this time?

Mostly, because I didn't really like Ruth a whole lot. She's dumb and angry to the point of being obnoxious, and I was often annoyed by her belligerent reactions to every petty little thing. Yes, I'm sure that was the point all long, but that doesn't make it any more unpleasant to read.

The author still draws a cast of memorable characters, just not show more terribly compelling ones. Maybe that's the point too. Either way, I'm not a big fan of this one. show less

Ruth is a small-town young woman with not too much going for her. She works at the local dry cleaner; she and her husband live with her mother; she goes bowling on a Saturday night. Ruth's Aunt Sid has made a life for herself as a musician and teacher and their written correspondence gives Ruth a glimpse into life outside her small town.

The author has a beautiful writing style. She paints a picture of a complicated mother-daughter relationship and a troubled marriage as seen through Ruth's eyes. She has created a character who put me in mind of Rohinton Mistry's two beggars in 'A Fine Balance' - no matter how life kicks you in the teeth, you accept and carry on because, well, what else is there to do?

Toward the end of the book, a show more family tragedy changes Ruth's life - perhaps for the better. But I never really got the feeling that she felt she needed to be saved.

I liked this book rather a lot. It's pretty slow moving, but every page can be savoured. show less