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brownflopsy's review
4.0
Infamous author Ruby Devereaux, now in her nineties, takes on the obligation of writing one more book for her publisher. This time, rather than drawing on her exploits to write fiction, this will be an honest portrayal of her own life. Armed with an eager young assistant, courtesy of her agent, Ruby begins to tell her story in her own inimitable style...
Author, M.J. Robotham does a brilliant job channelling her creation, Ruby Devereaux, to spin a fictional memoir of a quite remarkable woman. Beginning in wartime England with Ruby's teenage sexual awakening and the birth of her career as a published author, Robotham proceeds to anchor you in time and place at each stage of Ruby's life, taking you on a tour of international proportions - via glamourous 1950s New York; La Dolce Vita Venice; Cold War Berlin; Vietnam; and behind-the-Iron-Curtain Budapest; with various momentous stops back home in the land of her birth.
The story unfurls with sections of Ruby's memoir in chronological order, linked together by occasional brief scenes that give you a glimpse of her writing process, or from the illuminating point of view of her agent, Marina. But what makes this so original is the unconventional way Ruby tells her story, through her interactions with the twelve men in her life who she has loved, lost, learned life lessons from, and who have provided inspiration for her novels.
Ruby is a force of nature who springs vividly from the page. Her character is driven by the conviction that you should seize the moment, and you cannot help but fall in love with her as she lays herself bare through her reflections on her globetrotting adventures. There is plenty of drama set against the backdrop of many of the significant moments of the second half of the twentieth century, and this combines beautifully with the emotional aspects of Ruby's story. In the telling, Robotham delves deep into different facets of romance; the highs and lows of relationships; family dynamics; ambition; motherhood; grief; loneliness; alienation; and mental health; tugging mercilessly on your heart-strings - and she serves up a powerful side order of the horrors of war and the grip of addiction too.
Intriguingly, at no time does this feel like a book steeped in doom and gloom, despite the poignant places Robotham takes you to. Yes, there are tears (have the tissues handy), but this book is enirmous fun too, packed to the gills with warmth, and well judged humour that will have you chuckling to yourself often - especially when it comes to Ruby's irreverent personality, and the sheer enjoyment of being alongside her as she immerses herself in everything life has to offer. I easily blasted through this engaging book in a matter of hours, and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment spent with Ruby Devereaux.
Author, M.J. Robotham does a brilliant job channelling her creation, Ruby Devereaux, to spin a fictional memoir of a quite remarkable woman. Beginning in wartime England with Ruby's teenage sexual awakening and the birth of her career as a published author, Robotham proceeds to anchor you in time and place at each stage of Ruby's life, taking you on a tour of international proportions - via glamourous 1950s New York; La Dolce Vita Venice; Cold War Berlin; Vietnam; and behind-the-Iron-Curtain Budapest; with various momentous stops back home in the land of her birth.
The story unfurls with sections of Ruby's memoir in chronological order, linked together by occasional brief scenes that give you a glimpse of her writing process, or from the illuminating point of view of her agent, Marina. But what makes this so original is the unconventional way Ruby tells her story, through her interactions with the twelve men in her life who she has loved, lost, learned life lessons from, and who have provided inspiration for her novels.
Ruby is a force of nature who springs vividly from the page. Her character is driven by the conviction that you should seize the moment, and you cannot help but fall in love with her as she lays herself bare through her reflections on her globetrotting adventures. There is plenty of drama set against the backdrop of many of the significant moments of the second half of the twentieth century, and this combines beautifully with the emotional aspects of Ruby's story. In the telling, Robotham delves deep into different facets of romance; the highs and lows of relationships; family dynamics; ambition; motherhood; grief; loneliness; alienation; and mental health; tugging mercilessly on your heart-strings - and she serves up a powerful side order of the horrors of war and the grip of addiction too.
Intriguingly, at no time does this feel like a book steeped in doom and gloom, despite the poignant places Robotham takes you to. Yes, there are tears (have the tissues handy), but this book is enirmous fun too, packed to the gills with warmth, and well judged humour that will have you chuckling to yourself often - especially when it comes to Ruby's irreverent personality, and the sheer enjoyment of being alongside her as she immerses herself in everything life has to offer. I easily blasted through this engaging book in a matter of hours, and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment spent with Ruby Devereaux.
belanaborealis's review against another edition
4.5
very much "inspired" by evelyn hugo and honestly if the author didn't devide the chapters into men and just spend the story with rubys very interesting life it wouldn't feel as much as a copy. nevertheless i really enjoyed it!!!
mlarali's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
onceuponafrida's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I just finished this breathtaking, wirlwind of a story. Truly a spectacular take on a fictional tale, that feels so incredibly real. If you love Taylor Jenkins Reid, you should absolutely pick this book up! Heartbreaking and heartfelt at the same time as we get to follow Ruby’s life from the age of 16 to 90. And what a life she’s lived. We get to travel the world and the way the author describes the enviornments, it truly feels like your there. We get to experience historically accurate events, and meet real famous people. That absolutely adds to the vibes of it being real. That this has actually happened…Wonderful book that feels like your reading a genuine memoire. Highly recommend to everyone! 🌟
cin19's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pagesand_pieces's review against another edition
reflective
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
2.75
Ruby Devereaux is laying her life bare by finally writing her memoir. At 90 she's lived life to the absolute maximum and writes all about it along with the 12 men that have inspired her.
This novel takes us all over the world and the author is amazing at bringing those places to life. You really feel like you're walking the same streets as Ruby. Ruby is a hard character to love but I appreciated how real she felt as a character. I enjoyed reading about all the ups and downs of her life.
This novel takes us all over the world and the author is amazing at bringing those places to life. You really feel like you're walking the same streets as Ruby. Ruby is a hard character to love but I appreciated how real she felt as a character. I enjoyed reading about all the ups and downs of her life.
charlib12's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-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? Yes
3.5
madhoward's review
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
alyssaunabridged's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5