Reviews with content warning for Incest - Rubyfruit Jungle

Uh, this book is. fucking crazy. I really appreciated some aspects of this, and was definitely enthralled by Molly's story and coming of age.

I think what I struggled with most is the lack of vulnerability we get from Molly. For me, I need some kind of vulnerability from a main character in order to connect and fully invest in the story, and that felt lacking here.

This is certainly an important book in the landscape of lesbian literature, undoubtedly. But boy was it written in 1973. There's some weird stuff going on, so do check trigger warnings.

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scarroll178's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved the MC; I don’t think I’ve ever read a more independent female character, much less in a book as old as this one. She’s also kind of an asshole, which again, I love lmao. She really embodies all the traits male characters are often applauded for, and she exposes the goofiness of heteronormativity along the way? Hell yes. Sexuality, race, and even family are all social constructs.

I thought the ending was a bit rushed, but

it wasn’t really an ending, was it? The MC’s story is ongoing.

It really should go without saying that I don’t condone any of the bad things the MC does. Yes, the SA was bad; the incest mention was bad - but books aren’t made to be morally correct, they’re made to deliver a story and a theme. Failing a book on the basis of some morality test is a waste of your time, and doubly so if it’s a book that was written during a time when society’s morals were completely different than they are now.

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aamedaa's review against another edition

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2.5

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specklecommittee's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

A great queer coming of age story with a main character who remains true to herself. It warmed my heart and was the best book I read this year so far. Love how it romanticizes Pennsylvania. I hope Rita Mae is doing well.

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baybod's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was a really interesting queer classic. I appreciated the genuine storytelling and the glimpse into life for queer women at the time. I especially liked seeing Molly move between states. I loved the coming of age and self discovery aspects of the book. I also appreciated the discussion of people who are gay but not queer, and feel it is very relevant today.

At the same time, something I really didn’t like and felt uncomfortable about where the instances where it seemed the sex was coerced. Even if I feel like what the author was trying to represent (internalized homo/lesbophobia and stigmatization of wlw relationships) is important to talk about, the way it was presented did not sit with me well at all.

I did like this book a lot. The ending was hard to sit with, but in a realistic and moving way. Worth reading.

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heatherli25's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

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joensign's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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