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jodeezle's review against another edition
3.0
This book made had my feelings all over the place.
It is the story of Ruth who returns to the town she grew up in after finally coming clean to her husband of 4 years that when she was 17 she'd had a baby. Because her husband wants to have kids he's understandably upset but wants to find the kid, as he loves her so much that he's willing to take care of that kid as well. Ruth has no idea what happened to the baby since her grandmother had taken him from her right after he was born.
When she returns to her home town she meets some new friends and gets in-touch with some old friends. While she is there she realizes that her family has many deep secrets. Like all families there are things that have happened and people know about, but they don't talk about. While back home she makes friends with a young boy named Midnight, well Patrick is his birth name, but he goes by Midnight. Ruth and Midnight bond over their shared love of science.
This story touches on the differences and similarities of the poor whites and blacks in this wonderful town. This book also lets you see see that everyone keeps secrets from everyone. To me it showed how much harm can come when families keep secrets from each other. You might be keeping a secret because you think it is for the best but it really could cause more harm.
Even though I liked this story, there were parts that dragged for me. I felt that it took too long to get to where we wanted to be. Although you could figure out who her son was as you read the book, there are still things that happen that you wouldn't expect. I found it interesting but it was just a bit too slow and draggy for my taste.
All in all it was a good book, and I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. The storyline and content is one that everyone can relate to on some level.
It is the story of Ruth who returns to the town she grew up in after finally coming clean to her husband of 4 years that when she was 17 she'd had a baby. Because her husband wants to have kids he's understandably upset but wants to find the kid, as he loves her so much that he's willing to take care of that kid as well. Ruth has no idea what happened to the baby since her grandmother had taken him from her right after he was born.
When she returns to her home town she meets some new friends and gets in-touch with some old friends. While she is there she realizes that her family has many deep secrets. Like all families there are things that have happened and people know about, but they don't talk about. While back home she makes friends with a young boy named Midnight, well Patrick is his birth name, but he goes by Midnight. Ruth and Midnight bond over their shared love of science.
This story touches on the differences and similarities of the poor whites and blacks in this wonderful town. This book also lets you see see that everyone keeps secrets from everyone. To me it showed how much harm can come when families keep secrets from each other. You might be keeping a secret because you think it is for the best but it really could cause more harm.
Even though I liked this story, there were parts that dragged for me. I felt that it took too long to get to where we wanted to be. Although you could figure out who her son was as you read the book, there are still things that happen that you wouldn't expect. I found it interesting but it was just a bit too slow and draggy for my taste.
All in all it was a good book, and I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. The storyline and content is one that everyone can relate to on some level.
natashia8911's review against another edition
2.0
I despised this book. Ruth was beyond selfish and I hated her from the get-go. The storyline was also a bit forced and hard to believe, especially the speed with which everything happened. I read this as part of a book club, so I made myself finish it, but a part of me wished I hadn't.
emilypolle's review against another edition
2.0
Probably more like 2.5 stars. I listened to this book and it took me months. I don’t know why because there were many times I found the character’s feelings to be relatable. Interesting story but had difficulty engaging me for some reason
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
This debut novel is set in the not-so-distant past. The story begins in Chicago, shortly after the economic collapse in the U.S. and the election of Barack Obama in 2008. Ruth Tuttle, a successful engineer, is married to kind, successful Xavier, who is eager to start a family. She is unsure about pursuing that dream, as she has never gotten over the baby that she gave birth to and gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. She promised her family not to look back on this decision. However, after revealing this part of her past to Xavier, Ruth realizes that she must return home to Indiana to make peace with it. This revelation causes friction in her relationship with Xavier and her decision to return home to revisit the past will cause even more.
Most of the action takes place in Ruth's hometown and is told from two perspectives -- hers and that of a young boy who goes by the nickname Midnight. While the story is told from Ruth's and Midnight's vantage points, the voices of the secondary characters are just as clear and help transport the reader back to this particular moment in American history'.
The Midwestern factory town where Ruth grew up is going through hard times following the economic collapse and is plagued by racism, unemployment, and despair. As such, this complex novel deftly explores related social themes as Ruth seeks answers to what happened to the baby she gave birth to so many years ago. Her family attempts to discourage her, reminding her of the sacrifices they made to ensure that she could pursue an Ivy league education and enjoy her comfortable middle class life in Chicago. I found the location, story, and characters compelling. This novel is one to savor and ruminate over long after the final page is turned. I look forward to reading future novels by this author based on my introduction to her work in this outstanding debut.
Many thanks to William Morrow and the Book Club Girl Early Read program for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy courtesy of NetGalley!
Most of the action takes place in Ruth's hometown and is told from two perspectives -- hers and that of a young boy who goes by the nickname Midnight. While the story is told from Ruth's and Midnight's vantage points, the voices of the secondary characters are just as clear and help transport the reader back to this particular moment in American history'.
The Midwestern factory town where Ruth grew up is going through hard times following the economic collapse and is plagued by racism, unemployment, and despair. As such, this complex novel deftly explores related social themes as Ruth seeks answers to what happened to the baby she gave birth to so many years ago. Her family attempts to discourage her, reminding her of the sacrifices they made to ensure that she could pursue an Ivy league education and enjoy her comfortable middle class life in Chicago. I found the location, story, and characters compelling. This novel is one to savor and ruminate over long after the final page is turned. I look forward to reading future novels by this author based on my introduction to her work in this outstanding debut.
Many thanks to William Morrow and the Book Club Girl Early Read program for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy courtesy of NetGalley!
lezapal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. I liked the story, but some of the characters actions just didn’t make sense to me.
rmarcin's review against another edition
5.0
This is a powerful book about love, loss, looking forward, looking back, race, privilege, education, and choices. Nancy Johnson has packed a lot into this debut novel.
Ruth is a successful black chemical engineer married to a successful man. Her success didn't come easily. When she was 17, she had a child, and her grandmother gave the baby away, saying that this child could not get in the way of Ruth's Ivy League education. Ruth has never told her husband, Xavier, about her son. Now married four years, and on the verge of the first Obama presidency, Xavier is anxious to start their family.
Ruth realizes that she must confess this secret to Xavier in order to move forward. Ruth must leave Chicago's South Side and return to her roots in Indiana to try to find her son.
While in Indiana, Ruth meets Midnight (Patrick), a young white boy who acts like he is black. She knows that both he and Ruth are searching for love.
Ruth confronts her grandmother, her brother, and her friends until she finds the truth about her son, which helps her find the answers she craves.
The novel explores the differences in race and privilege, and the choices we make. Outstanding and thought provoking novel.
Thanks to Harper Collins, The Book Club Girls, Edelweiss.plus and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own, and are given freely.
#TheKindestLie #HarperCollins #TheBookClubGirls #Edelweiss #NetGalley.
Ruth is a successful black chemical engineer married to a successful man. Her success didn't come easily. When she was 17, she had a child, and her grandmother gave the baby away, saying that this child could not get in the way of Ruth's Ivy League education. Ruth has never told her husband, Xavier, about her son. Now married four years, and on the verge of the first Obama presidency, Xavier is anxious to start their family.
Ruth realizes that she must confess this secret to Xavier in order to move forward. Ruth must leave Chicago's South Side and return to her roots in Indiana to try to find her son.
While in Indiana, Ruth meets Midnight (Patrick), a young white boy who acts like he is black. She knows that both he and Ruth are searching for love.
Ruth confronts her grandmother, her brother, and her friends until she finds the truth about her son, which helps her find the answers she craves.
The novel explores the differences in race and privilege, and the choices we make. Outstanding and thought provoking novel.
Thanks to Harper Collins, The Book Club Girls, Edelweiss.plus and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own, and are given freely.
#TheKindestLie #HarperCollins #TheBookClubGirls #Edelweiss #NetGalley.
kjreadsbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
lauriebwhite's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book a lot!!! I hated the way that something was dealt with, but no spoilers -- but I still liked it. It reminded me of the Vanishing Half.
b00kluver's review against another edition
5.0
Ruth and her husband, Xavier, are young Black professionals living in Chicago in 2008. Xavier is ready to start a family, but Ruth realizes that she can’t move on until she finds out what happened to the son she gave birth to as a teen. Ruth decides to return to her grandmother’s home in Indiana to search for her son. While home, she befriends a troubled 11-year-old white boy nicknamed Midnight. Secrets are revealed, old friendships rekindled, and Ruth finally discovers everything her grandmother and brother sacrificed for her future. This thought-provoking, well-written story explores poverty, family dynamics, racism, pride, and love. Highly recommended!
farwareads's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
I thought this book could've been a lot better. I felt for Midnight but didn't really care about him as the book progressed. I thought Ruth was pretty selfish. I hated that she made her sister in law the villain when her brother sounded like a scrub. There were really no very likable characters, and that's okay, but the plot just felt pointless as well.