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Product Description
From Amazon
Oprah Book Club® Selection, November 1996: The Book of Ruth is a virtuoso performance and that's precisely why it can be excruciating to read. Author Jane Hamilton leads us through the arid life of Ruth Grey, who extracts what small pleasures and graces she can from a tiny Illinois town and the broken people who inhabit it. Ruth's prime tormentor is her mother May, whose husband died in World War II and took her future with him. More poor familial luck has given Ruth a brother who is a math prodigy; Matt sucks up any stray attention like a black hole. Ruth is left to survive on her own resources, which are meager. She struggles along, subsisting on crumbs of affection meted out by her Aunt Sid and, later, her screwed-up husband Ruby. Hamilton has perfect pitch. So perfect that you wince with pain for confused but fundamentally good Ruth as she walks a dead-end path. The book ends with the prospect of redemption, thank goodness--but the tale is nevertheless much more bitter than sweet.
From Publishers Weekly
"In her first novel, Hamilton takes on a challenge too large for her talents," said PW of this tale about a Midwestern woman who is loyal to her wounded and wounding family. "Hamilton evokes Ruth's character marvelously, but others as seen by her are incompletely rendered."
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
WHAT it begins with, I know finally, is the kernel of meanness in people's hearts. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
WHAT it begins with, I know finally, is the kernel of meanness in people's hearts. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing but wonderfully written,
By Pam Bak "Pam" (Elmwood Park, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Book of Ruth: A Novel (Paperback)
I had this book sitting on my shelf for sometime since Oprah first recommended it. I happen to pick it up recently to take to the beach. I must admit it was not an easy read and there were many times when I wondered why I was reading it because it was so painful. The ending was not unexpected for me because I felt like we were always leading to a crescendo only I was secretly hoping it would have been a happy one. Needless to say, it was certainly more appropriate than anything sugar coated. I was truly emotionally touched by Ruth's wonderful ability to look past the imperfections of those around her. I completely agree with other reveiwers in that this is not a light read but one that will never totally leave your heart and soul. The book is well worth the effort.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A stunning novel,
By Ashley Mitchell (Atlanta, GA, United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Book of Ruth: A Novel (Paperback)
This book is definately set at a slow pace and rich in confimration of Ruth's harsh reality. It is incerdibly well written and thorough of this woman's life. I began reading it with no prior information, and was constantly looking for signs of a positive turn in Ruth's life. Don't read it and expect to feel warm and fuzzy. I think that the redemption in The Book of Ruth is that each character is subtle in showing their selfless qualities. The end does contain a note of guarded optimism and leaves the future open for readers.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Read!,
By
This review is from: The Book of Ruth: A Novel (Paperback)
I read this book many years ago but it left such an impact on me. I still remember the words from the first paragraph and the horrific ending. I didn't find it to be an easy read but it was well worth it. I felt it made such a powerful statement. Would highly recommend.
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