Comments (25)

Ruby

a Novel
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Sep 07, 2022JCLJenV rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The subject matter of this book is very difficult, the entire novel is traumatic, scary and horrifying. A unique perspective that's well-written, but not for the faint of heart.
Jun 08, 2021jenncdb rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book will take you through a journey that will leave you feeling uncomfortable because it uncovers the truths about human trafficking. It is not for the light hearted. However, it is so well written, that the author holds your hand…
Jul 26, 2020MedusaMamaBear rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I meant to rate this 5 stars. Somehow it only shows 4 and won't change. In any event, this was one of the best works of fiction I have ever read and one of the most important I would recommend others to read. So many important stories…
Oct 13, 2019brangwinn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Oh, my heart breaks at Ruby’s story. Her introduction at such a young age into prostitution and the lack of support she got from church-going adults probably was probably quite common not only in the back communities of rural communities,…
Jul 15, 2018letoynia rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I wish I could unread it, I can't get the images out of my head. Read this only if you enjoy reading about children being raped and killed and themes that suggest that all Christians especially Pastors are truly evil. I kept reading…
Jul 03, 2018
This book was beautifully written.
Sep 28, 2016japdx rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A powerful story that is unfortunately diminished by the unnecessary repetition of violent imagery that eventually wears down the reader and at a certain point becomes overly-melodramatic.
Aug 31, 2016abcDena rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I read this in June 2015 and while looking it up for a Staff Picks display, I saw there are new copies on order! This is such a beautifully written novel about the tragic life of Ruby Bell. Readers of dramatic women's fiction or the…
Jun 14, 2016hergy rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is such a beautifully written book. The prose is mesmerizing. Yes, the subject matter is harsh at times, but it is handled delicately and adroitly by the author. If you have the opportunity, I recommend the audio version.
Jun 04, 2016TSCPL_ChrisB rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An extraordinary novel. The writing is wonderful. The story is lovely and heartbreaking at the same time. The characters are wonderfully drawn. And yet Ruby is perhaps one of the single most disturbing novels ever written. If you're…
Mar 24, 2016
By reading the description and reviews, "Ruby" seems like a cheesy story. I wouldn't waste my time reading this book (I'd fall asleep with boredom. Forget about taking this book to work!). Go Set a Watchman (by Harper Lee) is much better;…
Mar 23, 2016
A gifted writer with an unfortunate story. It so unbelievably depressing. I cannot recommend this book.
Feb 26, 2016Angelina85 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Very good book, I hated how it ended
Jan 20, 2016RuthAlice rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Cynthia Bond is a lyrical writer with a gift for crafting beautiful language. I would love to read another book by her, but only if it nothing like Ruby. I nearly quit half way through and then, having resolved to finish it, I could not be…
Jan 10, 2016
I did not like this book. There was just too much brutality of the female protagonist. I just couldn't take it.
kbo90
Jun 25, 2015kbo90 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
the writing is fabulous, characters are gripping. Tough subject matter though, and it only gets worse as you turn the pages. not for the faint of heart.
Jun 08, 2015MustHaveBook rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a stellar read; sheer joy to wrap the mind around the author's writing style. I too almost had a difficult time getting into it however the avid reader in me persevered and I was soon drawn in, mesmerized to the very end. I am…
May 25, 2015tonyalockman rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I wIsh I could "unread" this book. If you are very sensitive and prone to waking up in the middle of the night thinking about things that disturbed you, you may want to not read this very poignant story of the horrors of being poor,…
Mar 26, 2015molmil8 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I don't even know what to say. Not easy to read, not easy to put down. The best book I have ever hated to read. Sense of relief when I finished the book yet glad that I did.
Feb 28, 2015readsalot80 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This isn't the easiest book to read because of what happened to Ruby in her past. The setting is a small black town in eastern Texas where Ruby and Ephram first meet. Ruby leaves town for New York but comes back and slowly descends into…
Feb 12, 2015
New OBC 2.0 pick. Winfrey noted: "When I found out that Bond is 53 and hadn't written a book before, I thought, Wow. This woman was born to write. There's no other explanation for such a vivid, searing first-time novel that penetrates…
Feb 10, 2015
Oprah Winfrey has selected this title for her Book Club 2.0.
Jul 24, 2014
Didn't finish.
Jul 09, 2014writermala rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I couldn't get into this book for quite a while and even toyed with the idea of giving it up; but in the end i was glad I persevered. It was certainly different and heartrending. The characters are well drawn and the plot is well conceived.
Jun 15, 2014
"When they were kids, Ruby was the beautiful mixed-race girl whom preacher's son Ephram Jennings loved and others used. She escaped to New York as soon as she was able, and at 30, she came back to town. But the memories of the trauma she…