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rebeccagorman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Minor: Self harm
aoibhin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
At first I was unsure how I felt about this book as generally speaking I prefer a plot driven book rather than character. However as I got about 100 pages in and I started to realise the connection between these two characters - who seemingly had no connection before this - it really clicked with me.
I really loved both Ruth & Pens stories. As someone living in Dublin it made me realise I could be walking by anyone who’s going through what either of them are going through. It was really introspective and I loved it.
I really loved both Ruth & Pens stories. As someone living in Dublin it made me realise I could be walking by anyone who’s going through what either of them are going through. It was really introspective and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Self harm, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
lianne_rooney's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
josefinessen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
En fängslande och fin berättelse om en dag i livet för 43-åriga Ruth och 16-åriga Pen. Lyckas vara vardagsnära, finstämd och ha nerv på samma gång. Jag gillar särskilt de skiftande berättarperspektiven och att hela boken utspelar sig under en viktig dag i deras respektive liv.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
Moderate: Bullying and Infidelity
Minor: Self harm, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
saestrah's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A free advanced reading copy of this title was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:
Ruth & Pen is set over the course of a single day, swapping between the narratives of Pen, an autistic teenage girl going to an Extinction Rebellion protest with plans to take the girl she likes on a surprise date that evening, and Ruth, a woman dealing with infertility and a failing marriage. Despite the two very different narrators, the narrative explores both characters' lives fluidly as they both struggle with love and loss and figuring out their places in the world.
Reading this book, I was especially glad to see autism in women represented, especially when Emilie Pine writes it so well. Pen was incredibly realistic and relatable for me, and her storyline grabbed me from the start. Ruth's storyline didn't capture me quite as quickly, likely due to her lack of relatability for me as a reader (though I imagine many other readers would connect with her narrative much faster than I did), but she grew on me a lot as a narrator. This book is also the one of the few I've read with a main relationship involving an asexual character and I was glad to see that explored—especially since this relationship didn't fall into the trope of 'autistic people don't have/want sex'. This relationship managed to tug and my heartstrings, despite only covering a single day's events. Reading both Pen and Ruth's heartbreaks and reflections upon them was incredibly cathartic to read, and their triumphs were equally emotional. This was a particularly tender story that I enjoyed right from the start, and I'm looking forward to buying a hardcopy of this book (and not only so I can look at the gorgeously designed cover again and again and again).
Ruth & Pen is set over the course of a single day, swapping between the narratives of Pen, an autistic teenage girl going to an Extinction Rebellion protest with plans to take the girl she likes on a surprise date that evening, and Ruth, a woman dealing with infertility and a failing marriage. Despite the two very different narrators, the narrative explores both characters' lives fluidly as they both struggle with love and loss and figuring out their places in the world.
Reading this book, I was especially glad to see autism in women represented, especially when Emilie Pine writes it so well. Pen was incredibly realistic and relatable for me, and her storyline grabbed me from the start. Ruth's storyline didn't capture me quite as quickly, likely due to her lack of relatability for me as a reader (though I imagine many other readers would connect with her narrative much faster than I did), but she grew on me a lot as a narrator. This book is also the one of the few I've read with a main relationship involving an asexual character and I was glad to see that explored—especially since this relationship didn't fall into the trope of 'autistic people don't have/want sex'. This relationship managed to tug and my heartstrings, despite only covering a single day's events. Reading both Pen and Ruth's heartbreaks and reflections upon them was incredibly cathartic to read, and their triumphs were equally emotional. This was a particularly tender story that I enjoyed right from the start, and I'm looking forward to buying a hardcopy of this book (and not only so I can look at the gorgeously designed cover again and again and again).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Self harm
abbyjoyw's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Self harm
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
Ruth & Pen is set in Dublin over the course of one day, and is thankfully much shorter and more readable than Ulysses, which was also set in a single day in Dublin. It follows Ruth, who is dealing with the ramifications of infertility and miscarriage and a possibly failing marriage, and Pen, a teenager who struggles with autism and anxiety but is determined to attend an Extinction Rebellion protest before taking her friend on a surprise date. This was a really tender, poignant story that gave great insight into the inner lives of these two women as they struggled to deal with love and loss and figure out where and how to fit in the world. I wanted to hug them both.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Self harm
eleanorareads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
*deep sigh* I love this book so much. It is very introspective and very melancholy, and I got a little sad reading it, but it's so beautiful!!
Ruth and Pen both have a lot going on in their minds, and much of the book is their inner monologues and memories. I love a character driven novel, so this massively ticked that box.
There was autism/neurodiversity, wlw and asexual representation in this book, which I was appreciative of. Infertility was also a significant part of the book, which felt incredibly poignant given Pine has written about her own infertility. I really admire her ability to write so gracefully and thoughtfully about tough subjects.
I would recommend you read Ruth & Pen while in a good place mentally. I read it over a series of bad days and it all felt pretty heavy, but I still loved it and can't wait to revisit when I'm in a better headspace.
CW: Infertility, infidelity, bullying, self-harm
Ruth and Pen both have a lot going on in their minds, and much of the book is their inner monologues and memories. I love a character driven novel, so this massively ticked that box.
There was autism/neurodiversity, wlw and asexual representation in this book, which I was appreciative of. Infertility was also a significant part of the book, which felt incredibly poignant given Pine has written about her own infertility. I really admire her ability to write so gracefully and thoughtfully about tough subjects.
I would recommend you read Ruth & Pen while in a good place mentally. I read it over a series of bad days and it all felt pretty heavy, but I still loved it and can't wait to revisit when I'm in a better headspace.
CW: Infertility, infidelity, bullying, self-harm
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, and Self harm
Minor: Infidelity
clotalksbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.75
ad-pr product. This debut novel is so incredibly moving. It tackles extremely sensitive issues in such an honest way. To me it is about love, grief, and learning to live with and accept yourself for who you are.
It centres on two main characters - Ruth and Pen, and how they are dealing with living. Both have emotions they are trying to express. Both are scared of what they are feeling. You also hear from a couple of peripheral characters that really add depth to the experiences.
I love how it celebrates the differences of us all. What does normal even mean? Do we ever really know if what is being presented to us reflects what is going on inside? Yes don't judge a book, but also don't be afraid to let someone read the real you.
The only reason not five stars was I found some of the language difficult, but even with that I feel like I felt it even if I didn't understand it. This book will stay with me.
It centres on two main characters - Ruth and Pen, and how they are dealing with living. Both have emotions they are trying to express. Both are scared of what they are feeling. You also hear from a couple of peripheral characters that really add depth to the experiences.
I love how it celebrates the differences of us all. What does normal even mean? Do we ever really know if what is being presented to us reflects what is going on inside? Yes don't judge a book, but also don't be afraid to let someone read the real you.
The only reason not five stars was I found some of the language difficult, but even with that I feel like I felt it even if I didn't understand it. This book will stay with me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Self harm
the_literarylinguist's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia