Reviews

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

lazyhazy's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

green_eyed_girl's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

octobermontoya's review against another edition

adventurous reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I think this book was both wildly ahead of it's time and also, very much of its time. I cant believe it came out in the 70's! The plot was interesting and there was a lot of somewhat radical and unapologetic ideas in there, but the anti-butch commentary was disappointing. A worthwhile read especially since it's one of the first western lesbian novels!

camillatd's review against another edition

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

3.0

Uh, this book is. fucking crazy. I really appreciated some aspects of this, and was definitely enthralled by Molly's story and coming of age.

I think what I struggled with most is the lack of vulnerability we get from Molly. For me, I need some kind of vulnerability from a main character in order to connect and fully invest in the story, and that felt lacking here.

This is certainly an important book in the landscape of lesbian literature, undoubtedly. But boy was it written in 1973. There's some weird stuff going on, so do check trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, and Incest

rocomama's review against another edition

funny inspiring 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? No

4.5

nosadprose's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

might follow carrie's gingerbread house idea... great peek into queerness in the old times

konniesbb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

rachelsprague's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kaylarage's review against another edition

4.0

A captivating look into the prejudices that plague women both straight and gay from childhood into adulthood. And also just a really good story.

sibylreads's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5