A review by siobhanward
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez

dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 The challenge with this book is that it felt like Jimenez was not sure what genre she was trying to write. Most of the book read like a family drama - working through intergenerational trauma while trying to find a missing family member and reckoning with reality and life not being what you expect at the same time.

However, then there were some parts thrown in that almost made it seem like Jimenez was aiming for dark humour - the descriptions of the Catfight TV show, Nina's job drama (and the constant descriptions of the lingere she was selling). However, I found that these moments just made the story seem more bleak - these unfunny moments trying desperately to lighten a very sad story.

I wish Jimenez had just stuck to the family plot line - it was well done and I love that Delores was included in the POVs, as the mother character is often left out of these kinds of dramas. However, so much time was wasted on weird throwaway moments that it felt like Ruthy's plot line did not get the time it needed. 
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