Reviews

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

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alisarae's review against another edition

Finally read this feminist classic. I can imagine how fresh, bold, and revolutionary this book must have sounded 50 years ago. Today the narration comes across as naive and caricatural. Molly, the MC/narrator, has the "batman superpower" of making everyone else in the room suddenly suffer from an intelligence drop: she always knows how to expose other people's vulnerabilites, she always gets away with her revenge pranks, she is always morally superior by refusing to use labels and boxes, always the best in class without even having to study. So smart, witty, funny, popular, sexy, athletic, etc, the girl everyone wants to be and be with. A childish fantasy.

I think there were a couple concepts that Brown did a great job of writing into the story: self-hatred stemming from sexual repression and how this manifests in sabotaging relationships (romantic or not), and Molly's evolution from a bright-eyed girl into a cynical woman.

It is pretty impressive to see how far we have come in just a few generations. Our vocabulary and ability to discuss feminism as a society has evolved. Reading through other reviews, I can see that today's readers can quickly recognize the problematic aspects of the book and expand on various aspects of feminism that the book never broaches. Onward ho.

tobeobia's review against another edition

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not for me…

madimango's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

carlyq05's review against another edition

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this book has many, many flaws. But, many great qualities as well. my main problem with the book, is the normalization of lesbianism again other queer identities. While Rubyfruit Jungle includes queer elements, it often marginalizes these elements by comparing them to Molly’s lesbianism and framing them as less acceptable. The novel tends to draw a line between what is considered acceptable and deviant, thereby restricting the exploration of more diverse queer practices. For reference, Molly is unaccepting of the term “butch” saying “If I wanted to be with someone who liked like a man, i’d be with a man.” While this is a good rejection of stereotypes, our world is not simply “i can do whatever i want and whatever i do is correct.” Molly expresses discomfort with these gender expressions within the lesbian community, which suggests a limitation in the novel’s exploration of queer identities.

I did enjoy the complex mother and daughter dynamic between Carrie and Molly. It is very difficult and toxic. It shows the emotional and psychological toll of familial rejection. Their relationship touches on bigger themes of self-discovery and rejection towards society’s expectations. Molly internalizes much of Carries criticism and becomes extremely independent with an unapologetic attitude to do whatever she wants, and defy everyone’s expectations. We see this through her goals, ambitions and even in relationships as she struggles to keep a relationship and refuses to get married. She could really like someone, even love, but because of her trauma and hyper independence she can not makes these last.