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dame_samara's review against another edition
4.0
Contemporary fiction is rarely something I truly enjoy, but the way this story is told drew me in a way that no contemporary has before.
Seeing a story from so many separate point of view is like watching a web be spun. Watching how every point comes together to form a pieces of art. Saving Ruby King builds the story so beautifully around this tragic point in Ruby's life. Showing how it shakes her community, herself, and everything that lead up to that fateful day in such a beautiful way.
It is intrinsically different then how most Mysteries are told and honestly it left me in want of more mysteries to be told like this.
Seeing a story from so many separate point of view is like watching a web be spun. Watching how every point comes together to form a pieces of art. Saving Ruby King builds the story so beautifully around this tragic point in Ruby's life. Showing how it shakes her community, herself, and everything that lead up to that fateful day in such a beautiful way.
It is intrinsically different then how most Mysteries are told and honestly it left me in want of more mysteries to be told like this.
martasbooktherapy's review
4.0
4.5 stars
While Saving Ruby King came out in 2020 and The Two Lives of Sara came out in 2022, I'm happy I read The Two Lives of Sara first. It gives so much background and depth to Ruby's story and built immense amounts of empathy in me for the characters portrayed in Saving Ruby King. It absolutely broke my heart to go from toddler Lebanon in TTLoS to the adult Lebanon in SRK and realize what could've been different if things turned out in Sara's life. If you haven't read both books, that statement might not make sense, but it's heartbreaking to see generational trauma passed down to young children over and over again.
Best friends Ruby and Layla are each others' keepers. They forge an intergenerational bond passed down through their grandmothers' close friendship. Ruby and Layla both have trials in their past (and some in their present) and are committed to helping one another through them. However, secrets are kept all around them and by them. It seems only telling the whole truth will set them free.
The audiobook of this novel was excellent - the multiple POVs are narrated by different people which truly brings the characters to life, even the inanimate church which is one of the narrators!
While Saving Ruby King came out in 2020 and The Two Lives of Sara came out in 2022, I'm happy I read The Two Lives of Sara first. It gives so much background and depth to Ruby's story and built immense amounts of empathy in me for the characters portrayed in Saving Ruby King. It absolutely broke my heart to go from toddler Lebanon in TTLoS to the adult Lebanon in SRK and realize what could've been different if things turned out in Sara's life. If you haven't read both books, that statement might not make sense, but it's heartbreaking to see generational trauma passed down to young children over and over again.
Best friends Ruby and Layla are each others' keepers. They forge an intergenerational bond passed down through their grandmothers' close friendship. Ruby and Layla both have trials in their past (and some in their present) and are committed to helping one another through them. However, secrets are kept all around them and by them. It seems only telling the whole truth will set them free.
The audiobook of this novel was excellent - the multiple POVs are narrated by different people which truly brings the characters to life, even the inanimate church which is one of the narrators!
courthughes's review
5.0
I was asked to read this as a beta reader and I LOVED it. Cathy has an ability to pull you in as a reader and I honestly enjoyed her book.
egould1's review
4.0
This book was an exploration of how trauma, secrets, and lies can affect a family...for generations. I thought how the book was structured was really interesting, with the view points shifting frequently and the church serving as a character (and witness) in the story.
Trigger warning for domestic violence.
Trigger warning for domestic violence.
michelereise's review
1.0
DNF 10%
Made it to the chapter from the POV of the church and I was done.
Lots of folk enjoy this book but that did it for me.
I couldn't take it serious after that.
Made it to the chapter from the POV of the church and I was done.
Lots of folk enjoy this book but that did it for me.
I couldn't take it serious after that.
lovesworldofbooks's review
5.0
Wow wow wow!!!!! Saving Ruby King is the best audiobook I have ever listened to in MY LIFE!!! to Saving Ruby King was a well-written, powerful, and thought-provoking story.
What I liked:
- First the narrators were amazing. There were six…. YES six narrators. I love obsolutely love it.
- I enjoyed listening from the perspective of Ruby, Layla, Jackson (Layla’s father) even Lebanon, and many more.
- West did a fantastic job of showing the generational trauma of these characters. Generational trauma is what hold many Black people from leave their current situations or seeing a better future.
- I was able to sympathize with all the characters including the “bad” people ( This made me think about nurture vs nature)
- West covered topic like the relationship between the white police and Black people, systemic racism, the divided line of neighborhoods (between white, black, Asian, and Hispanic), and more.
- I totally did not expect what happened near the end of this book.
If you are looking for a book that going to
⚠️ Incest, suicide, physical and mental abuse
What I liked:
- First the narrators were amazing. There were six…. YES six narrators. I love obsolutely love it.
- I enjoyed listening from the perspective of Ruby, Layla, Jackson (Layla’s father) even Lebanon, and many more.
- West did a fantastic job of showing the generational trauma of these characters. Generational trauma is what hold many Black people from leave their current situations or seeing a better future.
- I was able to sympathize with all the characters including the “bad” people ( This made me think about nurture vs nature)
- West covered topic like the relationship between the white police and Black people, systemic racism, the divided line of neighborhoods (between white, black, Asian, and Hispanic), and more.
- I totally did not expect what happened near the end of this book.
If you are looking for a book that going to
⚠️ Incest, suicide, physical and mental abuse
tx2its's review
4.0
Reading 2020
Book 4: Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West
Read this book for #notyomamasbookclub on Instagram. Was a book I had on my Kindle for a while also and have been wanting to read it.
This book is a multigenerational story told from many points of view. At its core this is a tale of friendship and what it can endure. In the present, Layla must find a way to save her dearest friend Ruby from an abusive father, after Ruby's mother is found murdered. What unfolds from there is the unraveling of family secrets for both Layla and Ruby. The web of abuse that permeates Ruby's family back to her great grandfather, also a story of Chicago's South Side, and a church at the center of it all, take stage in parts in this well done debut novel.
This book was another good read. The ending for me was a bit meh, but not sure how it could have ended differently. This story was maddening, heartbreaking, and uplifting all wrapped into one package. I really enjoyed this book and the discussion that followed. If you have not read Ruby King, I highly recommend it. My rating 4⭐.
Book 4: Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West
Read this book for #notyomamasbookclub on Instagram. Was a book I had on my Kindle for a while also and have been wanting to read it.
This book is a multigenerational story told from many points of view. At its core this is a tale of friendship and what it can endure. In the present, Layla must find a way to save her dearest friend Ruby from an abusive father, after Ruby's mother is found murdered. What unfolds from there is the unraveling of family secrets for both Layla and Ruby. The web of abuse that permeates Ruby's family back to her great grandfather, also a story of Chicago's South Side, and a church at the center of it all, take stage in parts in this well done debut novel.
This book was another good read. The ending for me was a bit meh, but not sure how it could have ended differently. This story was maddening, heartbreaking, and uplifting all wrapped into one package. I really enjoyed this book and the discussion that followed. If you have not read Ruby King, I highly recommend it. My rating 4⭐.
nsa101's review
5.0
Wow! What a powerful story. I was not on Bookstagram when this book first came out so it completely passed me by but I am so glad I finally picked it up!
I am blown away that this is a debut novel. The writing was powerful as West shares a family story that spans generations as secrets are revealed and sacrifices are made.
The multiple perspectives and shifting time periods gave the story so much depth as the pieces of past and present come together. While this story has a lot of family drama, at it’s core it is about friendships and the lengths you would go to protect the ones you love.
I highly recommend and I know this will be one of my top reads of the year!
I am blown away that this is a debut novel. The writing was powerful as West shares a family story that spans generations as secrets are revealed and sacrifices are made.
The multiple perspectives and shifting time periods gave the story so much depth as the pieces of past and present come together. While this story has a lot of family drama, at it’s core it is about friendships and the lengths you would go to protect the ones you love.
I highly recommend and I know this will be one of my top reads of the year!
ryanbye's review
4.0
A compelling story of generational trauma, family, and race. Also takes place in Chicago!