I remember when Oprah Winfrey first started her book club. She would select a somewhat obscure book, and instantly it was on the bestseller's list (every author's dream). I have to admit that I was one of the people that flocked to the local book dealer and purchased the chosen one.
Several years ago, I purchased Jane Hamilton's The Book of Ruth on the good advisement from Oprah, herself, that this was a great book. I did not read the book at that time, but picked it up a couple of days into the new year and spent several hours reading.
Summary
Ruth Grey is the much abused child of May Grey, a single mother (thanks to WWII) of two children. Growing up in a small Illinois community, Ruth's prospects are meager. Her brother, however, garners most of the attention because he is a genius and will get out of the small town.
Ruth's only source of love is her lovely Aunt Sid, who her mother loathes for no more of a reason that she has not had to struggle. But Ruth soon meets Ruby, a slow-witted man in her town, who also seems to have anger managment issues. She marries Ruby, and they live with her mother, the hateful May.
It quickly becomes clear that May and Ruby will never get along, and with the birth of Ruth's first child, they each have a pawn to use against the other. What will bring this story to an end is easily predictable.
My Criticisms
Probably, my greatest criticism is of the character of Ruth, and I am going to go ahead and state that I am not entirely sure that this is deserving. (Some believe that Ruth is mildly mentally retarded, but I believe that Ruth is a child that has suffered from an overbearding, abusive parent, which has rendered her without any sort of self-esteem.) I see Ruth as weak. I hate weak women, and I think that she really does nothing to try to help herself from that situation. Weak women are weak because they like being the victim. It is confortable for them.
The other characters in the story are not well developed, and I really cannot stand the character of Matt, Ruth's brother. If she is mentally retarded or if she is just a victim of abuse, he has a duty to help her through her circumstances, but he chooses not too. Why? Is he selfish?
Overall
I just did not get this book. I don't have a clue why it made Oprah's list, but I am very disappointed.
Several years ago, I purchased Jane Hamilton's The Book of Ruth on the good advisement from Oprah, herself, that this was a great book. I did not read the book at that time, but picked it up a couple of days into the new year and spent several hours reading.
Summary
Ruth Grey is the much abused child of May Grey, a single mother (thanks to WWII) of two children. Growing up in a small Illinois community, Ruth's prospects are meager. Her brother, however, garners most of the attention because he is a genius and will get out of the small town.
Ruth's only source of love is her lovely Aunt Sid, who her mother loathes for no more of a reason that she has not had to struggle. But Ruth soon meets Ruby, a slow-witted man in her town, who also seems to have anger managment issues. She marries Ruby, and they live with her mother, the hateful May.
It quickly becomes clear that May and Ruby will never get along, and with the birth of Ruth's first child, they each have a pawn to use against the other. What will bring this story to an end is easily predictable.
My Criticisms
Probably, my greatest criticism is of the character of Ruth, and I am going to go ahead and state that I am not entirely sure that this is deserving. (Some believe that Ruth is mildly mentally retarded, but I believe that Ruth is a child that has suffered from an overbearding, abusive parent, which has rendered her without any sort of self-esteem.) I see Ruth as weak. I hate weak women, and I think that she really does nothing to try to help herself from that situation. Weak women are weak because they like being the victim. It is confortable for them.
The other characters in the story are not well developed, and I really cannot stand the character of Matt, Ruth's brother. If she is mentally retarded or if she is just a victim of abuse, he has a duty to help her through her circumstances, but he chooses not too. Why? Is he selfish?
Overall
I just did not get this book. I don't have a clue why it made Oprah's list, but I am very disappointed.
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