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A review by bea_sr_my
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.25
pretty good read, but even if I look at it through the lens of the 70’s (when it first came out), it doesn’t sit quite right with me.
I appreciate it being a pioneer on sharing sapphic stories in such a blatant tone… It’s also well written and it keeps the reader engaged in the fall out of Molly’s life.
however, the blatant anti-butch discourse (that was used way too often to be seen as a mere device to indicate the character’s preference), that incest discussion (with a 16 year old) that came out of nowhere only to deliver shock value, and the portrayal of the only black women she has a relationship with as a bratty materialistic bimbo, pissed me off.
Moreover, Molly just doesn’t feel real. Of course, we don’t all have to suffer through the bindings of societal expectations, but there’s no way a poor southern kid in the 60’s is that sure of herself.
I appreciate it being a pioneer on sharing sapphic stories in such a blatant tone… It’s also well written and it keeps the reader engaged in the fall out of Molly’s life.
however,
Moreover, Molly just doesn’t feel real. Of course, we don’t all have to suffer through the bindings of societal expectations, but there’s no way a poor southern kid in the 60’s is that sure of herself.