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awesomelybadbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Ruby Landry's life has always been a mystery. Raised in the bayou (Houma, Louisiana) by her Grandmere Catherine - a healer, of sorts - she had always wondered about her mother Gabrielle, her mother's death, and a mysterious father that she never had a chance to meet. Ruby and her Grandmere lead a simple life marked by handmaking crafts to sell to tourists on the side of the road, going to church every Sunday, and sometimes being called upon by those in the community to help those who are sick or injured as Grandmere Catherine is well-respected in the community as a woman of some spiritual power, some spiritual knowledge. They survive with no help from Ruby's Grandpere Jack - an inebriate that has done something so horrible in the past that Grandmere Catherine cast him from their home long ago and can hardly stand the sight of him. Bit by bit, Ruby grows more and more curious of what happened before her birth. Why is Grandmere Catherine so intent on Ruby not seeing the local boy Paul Tate? Why does Grandmere have so much contempt for Grandpere? Under Grandmere's Catherine pending death, the truth is finally revealed to Ruby. With Grandmere gone and under the thumb of Grandpere Jack, all the lies and secrets take Ruby to New Orleans to meet her father and twin sister for the first time! There, she is spun into the web of more lies to protect the Dumas family name and treated cruelly by her vile twin sister until everything comes to a head.
Written by a ghost writer - and, as stories go, penned with the influence of unfinished work that Andrews left behind - there is so many things fundamentally wrong with this book that I can't help but to find guilty pleasure in it. Let's start off by saying, V.C. Andrews' work is always wrong on so many levels especially during the late 1970s, through the 1980s, and into the early 1990s. It just is. It didn't matter if it was written by Andrews herself or the ghost writer, there is just so much wrong with these books. So much. From the continual fish out of water trope. The incest. There always being an uber-bitch that you love to hate in the story. Right down to the very wrong, one-dimensional way that black characters are written. So wrong. So many levels. Yet every story is like a train wreck that you can't help but to sit back and watch with wide eyes. These books fall into the category of so bad that they're good. I don't know if that make me an awful person or not, but I can't help but be fascinated by this work. For a lot of men and women of a certain age, reading these books was a rite of passage. They were considered taboo. I am of that certain age and it was like I was transported back to 1995 because I think that's when I last read this book. It held up better than some other V.C. Andrews books I've read. Maybe because the ghost writer is a better writer than the actual woman, herself, was? I don't know.
All I know is, this is pure trash and I loved every minute of it.
Written by a ghost writer - and, as stories go, penned with the influence of unfinished work that Andrews left behind - there is so many things fundamentally wrong with this book that I can't help but to find guilty pleasure in it. Let's start off by saying, V.C. Andrews' work is always wrong on so many levels especially during the late 1970s, through the 1980s, and into the early 1990s. It just is. It didn't matter if it was written by Andrews herself or the ghost writer, there is just so much wrong with these books. So much. From the continual fish out of water trope. The incest. There always being an uber-bitch that you love to hate in the story. Right down to the very wrong, one-dimensional way that black characters are written. So wrong. So many levels. Yet every story is like a train wreck that you can't help but to sit back and watch with wide eyes. These books fall into the category of so bad that they're good. I don't know if that make me an awful person or not, but I can't help but be fascinated by this work. For a lot of men and women of a certain age, reading these books was a rite of passage. They were considered taboo. I am of that certain age and it was like I was transported back to 1995 because I think that's when I last read this book. It held up better than some other V.C. Andrews books I've read. Maybe because the ghost writer is a better writer than the actual woman, herself, was? I don't know.
All I know is, this is pure trash and I loved every minute of it.
kacyrene's review against another edition
3.0
Was it a work of great literature? No. Was it atmospheric, soap opera like, and a damn good time. Yes, it was! Andrew Neiderman, writing as V.C. Andrews brings the sibling love and scary domestic scenarios one comes to expect. We also have the fun tropes of the evil twin and the evil stepmother. There is another fun trope, but I don't want to venture into spider territory.
I was frustrated with the main character's naivete. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three, four, five... I had to knock off one star because I just wanted to shake Ruby and scream, "Why do you still trust these people."
This was picked up by Lifetime, and it definitely reads like a Lifetime movie with all the dysfunctional family secrets and drama. It's usually not my thing, but I knew what I was getting into. If this is something you are in the mood for, you will enjoy this book too. I'm going to continue with the series.
I was frustrated with the main character's naivete. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three, four, five... I had to knock off one star because I just wanted to shake Ruby and scream, "Why do you still trust these people."
This was picked up by Lifetime, and it definitely reads like a Lifetime movie with all the dysfunctional family secrets and drama. It's usually not my thing, but I knew what I was getting into. If this is something you are in the mood for, you will enjoy this book too. I'm going to continue with the series.
b0okcupidity's review against another edition
4.0
I owe my love of all things Bayou related to this book series. I remember staying up all night and reading these books under the covers in my room with a flashlight. :)
literarypengwyns's review against another edition
4.0
My first V.C. Andrews book and man, it was a wild ride! Definitely hooked and can’t wait to finish out the series.
Also, this was written by VCA’s ghost writer (a man) so once I found that out, some parts were a bit cringey. And there are some problematic themes around racism, abuse (physical, sexual and verbal), classism and some others. Please go to doesthedogdie.com for triggers etc.
Also, this was written by VCA’s ghost writer (a man) so once I found that out, some parts were a bit cringey. And there are some problematic themes around racism, abuse (physical, sexual and verbal), classism and some others. Please go to doesthedogdie.com for triggers etc.
sanctuarylover's review against another edition
4.0
Now this was a VC Andrews book. It was kinda slow in the beginning but once we got over the first hurdle did it really begin.
I’m also glad there wasn’t as much incest as some of the previous series’ but hey that’s just the brand lol.
I’m also glad there wasn’t as much incest as some of the previous series’ but hey that’s just the brand lol.
ameliamia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Okay I loved this, I’ve read FITA and the cutler series and this so far has been my favorite (long story short I’m trying to read the ghost written books before the Casteel series and My Sweet Audrina ) the cutler series was more “fantastical soap opera” vibes and Dawn is so stupid - sorry babes but you have half a brain. But Ruby was still soap opera-y but it seemed more believable I guess? Idk lol and I love the (southern) Louisiana setting and themes. I’m excited for the rest of the series!
jasmine388f8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
bb_laurens's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy most of VC Andrews' ghost writer's works. They're never exactly how I think she would have written it, but he does well. Ruby had a wonderful relationship with Grandmere Catherine and she will never disgrace it no matter what Giselle and Daphne do to her. She had great character development. The only thing that bothered me, like with many other male authors, is how her sexuality was portrayed. Overall, good book.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"For truth was a bright light and just like any bright light, it was hard to look into it."
-V. C. Andrews, Ruby
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"For truth was a bright light and just like any bright light, it was hard to look into it."
-V. C. Andrews, Ruby
paperbackstash's review against another edition
Ruby was never an exceptional story - most of the Andrews magic died with her. The continued stories with the ghostwriter worked slightly but not well enough for me. By now its getting generic and a little too melodramatic, even though the changes of scenery are fascinating.
floabran's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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