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frozenoj's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't so sure about this book at first, it took a little bit to get into it. But after that it had me hooked and this is probably the quickest I've read a book this year. It made you FEEL THINGS about the characters, and isn't that the goal of most fiction?
ggrillion's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
courtneyevason1910's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jlfields925's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Lesbophobia
prairiedog's review against another edition
5.0
A lush, sumptuously told story of abuse and redemption. The prose is among the most beautiful I've ever read, and the story is engrossing, heartbreaking and ultimately transformative. Don't be scared away by reviews that it's disturbing--yes, there are some very difficult scenes, but the author doesn't shy away from telling the truth about the dark side of life, and the cruelty people are capable of, nor should any writer worth his/her salt. A courageous, unforgettable novel. Bravo!
kathycolvi's review against another edition
5.0
A gut wrenching story of Ruby's life and the healing of being cared for and finally seen, truly seen, by gentle, kind, and decent Ephram. Bond's writing is truly magical and evocative of so much pain. Ephram's simple power of tender, patient caring for Ruby is a love that finally penetrates her deep wounds of the past inflicted by so many who claimed the high and righteous road. Ruby's story is biblical in its commentary about humans: what we are capable of inflicting on each other and yet, also capable of lifting each other out of our bonds.
khornstein1's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler Alert!
Oprah said she brought back her Book Club for this one book because it was “like no other book she’s ever read.” Hmmm…that was enough for me. I went out and bought it, thinking about other books that could be like that: “Ulysses,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Invisible Man,” Faulkner anything, Virginia Woolf anything.
And then I get it, this book is unlike anything she’s ever read because it is a book that involves child prostitution/snuffing combined with witchcraft. Oh my, I made it through, just barely. And I have deep respect for the author who says she is a victim of human trafficking as a child and has worked with runaways. It’s a brave book that hits you over the head with graphic imagery and a grim worldview.
But for Oprah to say it’s “unlike anything she’s read” seems odd. It reminded me at times of “Ode to Billie Joe,” the movie, “Angel Heart,” and yes, “The Color Purple.” In fact, that’s the problem with this book--it tries to be too many things at once: a book about racism, a book about child abuse, a book about voodoo, and New York, and Texas, and the woods, etc.
And then there’s the nature imagery (the crows, the pine forest, the flowers) that seem to be thrown in with everything to make things more “literary.” I felt myself becoming extremely bored whenever the crows came along.
Cynthia Bond, you are a good writer; I would say--an excellent writer. The passages about Ruby in New York and Celia and her church would have been enough: well-written, great character studies. Or just the child prostitution piece. This is such a big, ambitious book that I am now anxious to read whatever comes next because I believe it is going to be better: less will be more and may be all you need. Rather than one story, you have a hundred.
Oprah said she brought back her Book Club for this one book because it was “like no other book she’s ever read.” Hmmm…that was enough for me. I went out and bought it, thinking about other books that could be like that: “Ulysses,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Invisible Man,” Faulkner anything, Virginia Woolf anything.
And then I get it, this book is unlike anything she’s ever read because it is a book that involves child prostitution/snuffing combined with witchcraft. Oh my, I made it through, just barely. And I have deep respect for the author who says she is a victim of human trafficking as a child and has worked with runaways. It’s a brave book that hits you over the head with graphic imagery and a grim worldview.
But for Oprah to say it’s “unlike anything she’s read” seems odd. It reminded me at times of “Ode to Billie Joe,” the movie, “Angel Heart,” and yes, “The Color Purple.” In fact, that’s the problem with this book--it tries to be too many things at once: a book about racism, a book about child abuse, a book about voodoo, and New York, and Texas, and the woods, etc.
And then there’s the nature imagery (the crows, the pine forest, the flowers) that seem to be thrown in with everything to make things more “literary.” I felt myself becoming extremely bored whenever the crows came along.
Cynthia Bond, you are a good writer; I would say--an excellent writer. The passages about Ruby in New York and Celia and her church would have been enough: well-written, great character studies. Or just the child prostitution piece. This is such a big, ambitious book that I am now anxious to read whatever comes next because I believe it is going to be better: less will be more and may be all you need. Rather than one story, you have a hundred.
goodem9199's review against another edition
5.0
Good lord, the writing in this book left me speechless. I won't ever forget Ruby and Ephram