"What it begins with, I know finally, is the kernal of meanness in people's hearts.... I learned, slowly, that if you don't look at the world with perfect vision, you're bound to get yourself cooked.

"The Book of Ruth" is a bitter story of a woman who endears much of the gravity of her dysfunctional life. She lives in the shadow of her brother, a math genious, and falls in love with a man despite his obvious insanity. Her mother, May, is brilliantly portrayed as the woman who scorns her own life but puts most of the blame upon Ruth.

It's a difficult story to read for it's negative nature, but it's brilliant written by the author. I recommend it; simply to experience Jane Hamilton's style of writing. The climatic scene at the end is violently descriptive in it's writing. Excellently done, but it will take your breath away if you are faint of heart.

I didn't necessarily like the entire story, I just loved the writing. I sort of found myself hating the story but rooting for Ruth.

Jane Hamilton doesn't get enough credit from her critics. I love her ability to carry a story using narration that defines both scene and character. I think her talent is amazing.

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Created Dec 30, 2008 at 4:41pm • Submit your own review...