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megpro7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Gore, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
ricksilva's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ruth's story is one of small-town isolation and the dysfunction of families stuck together through claustrophobic winters. The main character, abandoned by her father, left behind by her brother when he finds prospects beyond their tiny Illinois farm, is left trapped between her overbearing mother and the drug-addled man she eventually marries. The birth of the narrator's baby boy brings the hope for a new chance for all of them, but the oppressive circumstances they exist in moved inevitably toward tragedy.
The characters in this story are deeply nuanced, and the narrator's voice is powerful through all of her quirkiness. I like the development of multiple layers of complexity in even the minor characters who at first appear very one-dimensional. The author also does a great job of bringing the setting to life.
The climactic scene is extremely violent, much more so than the rest of the story up to that point, although it is certainly foreshadowed. The ending is left very open, and perhaps a bit intentionally unsatisfying, taking the approach that there will never be true closure to the events that have unfolded. Definitely not a happy story, but an engaging one.
The characters in this story are deeply nuanced, and the narrator's voice is powerful through all of her quirkiness. I like the development of multiple layers of complexity in even the minor characters who at first appear very one-dimensional. The author also does a great job of bringing the setting to life.
The climactic scene is extremely violent, much more so than the rest of the story up to that point, although it is certainly foreshadowed. The ending is left very open, and perhaps a bit intentionally unsatisfying, taking the approach that there will never be true closure to the events that have unfolded. Definitely not a happy story, but an engaging one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Bullying
jinsae's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism and Rape
savannahtrice's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I thought this was really beautiful. Jane Hamilton is really talented at writing characters that you really feel for. I despised Ruby the whole time but held love in my heart for Ruth. The ending felt rushed, and I wished the big event occurred earlier on so we got to see more of Ruth's recovery. I took a star off for that and for the overt racism that went unchecked by Ruth, despite her being the protagonist and seemingly disagreeing with the comments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
avgastright's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m really torn about this one. One one hand, the author went balls to the literary fiction wall, and at times I found myself getting lost in the lack of plot. This novel reads the way an indie movie watches; it is less a story than a deep-dive character study of severely flawed people. On the other hand, Hamilton is writing about “white trash” the way artists write about first loves. Ruth’s words are more romantic talking about her shitty life than most poets’ words are about Paris.
Personally, I found the most moving character to be May, who is terrible for many reasons but who inspired the most pity from me than any of the rest. Willard’s death combined with the house in Honey Creek decaying around her made her bitterly angry, and the way she expresses that anger to the outside world was fascinating to watch. I saw parallels between her and some familiar faces in my own life, and for that reason I was rooting for her. In her own way, she ends up being the hero of the story. I only wish Ruth was able to see it that way, and it breaks my heart to know that she never will.
Personally, I found the most moving character to be May, who is terrible for many reasons but who inspired the most pity from me than any of the rest. Willard’s death combined with the house in Honey Creek decaying around her made her bitterly angry, and the way she expresses that anger to the outside world was fascinating to watch. I saw parallels between her and some familiar faces in my own life, and for that reason I was rooting for her. In her own way, she ends up being the hero of the story. I only wish Ruth was able to see it that way, and it breaks my heart to know that she never will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
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