sleightoffeet's review against another edition
2.0
If the synopsis on the back actually summarized the book, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. The reader is lead to believe that Ruby who has left her hometown to the big city of New York comes home and has do deal with some of the struggles of her youth.
Let me tell you, there are a lot more than struggles going on here. If you imagine some of the most horrible things that a person can do to another person and then have the perpetrators have equally horrific things happen to them, you might be a lot closer to what this book is about.
This book also sold itself as a love story, with our hero having to choose between childhood love and family. This is only a very thin thread that holds the horrors and the tortures of this book together. By the end I was almost immune to the things I had read, having read so much of it.
The reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is that the writing is very good. Though I didn't care for the story and some of the choices Cynthia Bond made, the descriptions allowed me (for better or worse) to SEE these things before my eyes. Not so much detail that the readers mind wanders, but not so little that all that's read is fluff. If the subject matter was different, I would definitely read something else written by her.
Let me tell you, there are a lot more than struggles going on here. If you imagine some of the most horrible things that a person can do to another person and then have the perpetrators have equally horrific things happen to them, you might be a lot closer to what this book is about.
This book also sold itself as a love story, with our hero having to choose between childhood love and family. This is only a very thin thread that holds the horrors and the tortures of this book together. By the end I was almost immune to the things I had read, having read so much of it.
The reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1 is that the writing is very good. Though I didn't care for the story and some of the choices Cynthia Bond made, the descriptions allowed me (for better or worse) to SEE these things before my eyes. Not so much detail that the readers mind wanders, but not so little that all that's read is fluff. If the subject matter was different, I would definitely read something else written by her.
tariqah's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best books I've read next to "The Book Thief". Cynthia Bond entwines the beauty of poetry and imagination that will touch the soul of anyone. I enjoyed every bit of it as the story sent me on train rides of visions and ideas. I hope there is a sequel to this one.
lindageorge's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not for the weak of heart. Child prostitution, the KKK, religion at its worst, and racism are some of the themes that resonate for me. I just found out that this is intended to be a trilogy and I hope that means some of my questions will be answered. Like someone else who reviewed this book said, after reading this, choose something a bit lighter.
And someone else still said, this book will stay with me for a long, long time.
And someone else still said, this book will stay with me for a long, long time.
katemcfly's review against another edition
2.0
I really struggled to get through this one. I found it to be dull and repetitive.
hollireads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was not what I expected. The author wrote beautifully and used interesting and unique imagery. As the story unfolded there were some awful difficult scenes. I thought it was deep and thoughtful. I'm not sure I would recommend it, but it's difficult to say why without spoiling it
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy books that explore the dark side of people or uses past experiences to shape a current character, then Ruby is definitely for you. For the full review, visit The Book Wheel.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
This is a hard book to read.
Not in the lots-of-SAT-words kind of way. In the some-things-you-can't-unsee way.
Deep breath...
Ruby spent a childhood full of pain and abuse in Liberty, Texas. She escaped to New York City, but found no salvation there, just echoes of the same nightmares. Now she is back in the town that first broke her, for the funeral of her onetime best friend Maggie. Without Maggie's strength to support her, Ruby's psyche slowly gives way to the demons born of her past. Her sanity crumbles and mingles with the dust as she lies in the road, raving.
Ephram has loved Ruby since they were children, but only from afar. Now a middle-aged man, his father lynched and his mother committed to a mental hospital, he lives with his sister Celia and tries not to make waves. That is, until finally Ruby's pull is stronger than anything else, including the stinging judgment of his pious sister and hypocritical friends. Ephram wants to show Ruby what it means to be loved.
Bond reveals Ruby's experiences in pieces, moving from past to present and back again, until the whole tragic, unthinkable story is before us. The magnitude of Ruby's suffering made me feel hollow. It made me want to rend my garments. It is shocking. Brutal. Wrenching.
But never gratuitous. Bond's prose is fluid, lush, tinged with magical realism. She lays Ruby's story bare, but then layers over it again with artistry and nuance. The book is rich with symbolism and deeply evocative of the South. I've seen the novel compared to Toni Morrison's work, and that comparison is both apt and well-earned. The writing is superb.
There were times when I wanted to put this book down and try my best never to think of it again. But as Ephram says to Ruby, “If you brave enough to live it, the least I can do is listen.”
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Not in the lots-of-SAT-words kind of way. In the some-things-you-can't-unsee way.
Deep breath...
Ruby spent a childhood full of pain and abuse in Liberty, Texas. She escaped to New York City, but found no salvation there, just echoes of the same nightmares. Now she is back in the town that first broke her, for the funeral of her onetime best friend Maggie. Without Maggie's strength to support her, Ruby's psyche slowly gives way to the demons born of her past. Her sanity crumbles and mingles with the dust as she lies in the road, raving.
Ephram has loved Ruby since they were children, but only from afar. Now a middle-aged man, his father lynched and his mother committed to a mental hospital, he lives with his sister Celia and tries not to make waves. That is, until finally Ruby's pull is stronger than anything else, including the stinging judgment of his pious sister and hypocritical friends. Ephram wants to show Ruby what it means to be loved.
Bond reveals Ruby's experiences in pieces, moving from past to present and back again, until the whole tragic, unthinkable story is before us. The magnitude of Ruby's suffering made me feel hollow. It made me want to rend my garments. It is shocking. Brutal. Wrenching.
But never gratuitous. Bond's prose is fluid, lush, tinged with magical realism. She lays Ruby's story bare, but then layers over it again with artistry and nuance. The book is rich with symbolism and deeply evocative of the South. I've seen the novel compared to Toni Morrison's work, and that comparison is both apt and well-earned. The writing is superb.
There were times when I wanted to put this book down and try my best never to think of it again. But as Ephram says to Ruby, “If you brave enough to live it, the least I can do is listen.”
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
charpower's review against another edition
5.0
Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. That is one of the themes running throughout this novel. Curb this Bond artfully paints a picture of the cost of m living a life that is not your own. She also gives us hope that a breakthrough is possible Ben in the darkest of situations. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale because there was so much that I could identify with in its chapters.
Brilliant work Cynthia. Can't wait until your next work.
Brilliant work Cynthia. Can't wait until your next work.
rah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lawerner's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 -- I'm torn between a 4 and a 5, as brilliant and gorgeous this book is in so many ways. I don't feel that the sexual and violent events are gratuitous like others do; actually, I feel like the last half of the final chapter is a bit trite. This book reminds me so much of my in-the-throes-of-evangelicalism high school favorite Redeeming Love, so in some ways I felt like this was a familiar story, not a new one. Regardless, Cynthia Bond's way with language is startling, poetic, beautiful, and riveting. I recommend it.