Rating: 
Summary: found it to be bland
Review: Usually this style of literature is just my style. I enjoy fiction that is very character driven, that focuses on a small town and the reactions to aa human who is different than the rest of them. But I never felt any empathy with any of the characters in the book. I honestly did not feel anything for them. And I was glad to put the book down so that I could be away from them. But, as a writer, I did find many good things about the pacing of the book, so I kept reading. I have not bought this book for anyone or recommended this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: wow
Review: Im 16 and I found this book to be awesome It touched me in a way I cant even begin to explain it was excellent full of secrets lost loves and lost lives anyone who loves a good book should read it.
Rating:
Summary: One Tight Novel
Review: Don't get me wrong,I really liked the book. It's just that I only reserve 4 or 5 stars for literary genius. I think Schwartz may someday reach that status, but she still has a little way to go. The biggest criticism I have is that I was not drawn too much into the plot. In fact, it took me two weeks to finish the novel because I never was compelled to pick the book up because I didn't care what happened. But since I always finish a book, I continued with it. The last 100 pages had me hooked. I was amazed by how she pulled the whole thing together. The ending was somewhat predictable, but TIGHT. She began weaving the threads from page one and never left one tie loose, but at the same time she didn't tie them too neatly at the end either. The ending left much to ponder. I would recommend this book to anyone who has patience to get through a slow beginning, the end is worth it and I think Schwarz will most likely produce some terrific work in the future. I'm looking forward to it.
Rating: 
Summary: Drowning Ruth - A definite page-turner
Review: "Ruth remembered drowning." Christina Schwarz cleverly tickles your senses in every aspect of this novel. Obsessed with love and the insanity growing inside of her, Amanda, one of the main characters, is driven to believe that she killed her loved ones. Amanda devotes her life to caring for Ruth, the daughter of her sister, Mathilda, after Mathilda drowns in the dark, ice covered waters of a rural Wisconsin lake. Schwarz quickly jumps from one character view to the next creating a suspenseful page-turner. Christina Schwarz's novel is not for the amateur reader, rather those who enjoy psychological narratives. Set in 1919, this novel twists and turns at unpredicted angles, establishing the obscurity of the situation. Drowning within her own obsession, Amanda ultimately renders to insanity.
Rating: 
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: As an avid reader, perhaps I am getting too picky. Drowning Ruth has a predictable storyline--I once watched a movie with the same 'horrifying' family secret. Schwarz's characters are shallow with a lack of insight and development. I was left wondering where a few of the characters went and why there was no depth to the ones that were left behind. Amanda has no redeeming qualities---her motive to 'do the right thing' was selfish, and ultimately cruel. How is the reader supposed to understand and sympathize with her--even a little? I recommend you read a superior book with 'Ruth' in the title: Jane Hamilton's The Book of Ruth'.
Rating:
Summary: Precocious Author
Review: Christina Schwarz is talented and that is no overstatement, however her novel "Drowning Ruth" is precarious at best. The semi-sweet thriller reads almost like a first draft in that it's twists and turns seem haphazardly thrown together. Towards the end I found myself likening it to an "as the world turns" episode. This overemphasis on plot, without the same balance given to character scheme, places "Drowning Ruth" on a rapidly deteriorating cliff. I was especially amused with the "reader" provided in the back of the book. Is she likening herself to Hemingway already? For this novel to be considered a classic, it needs dire editing. Its symbolism needs structuring; the main characters, amanda, ruth, imogene, and mathilda, need refining; the plot needs tailoring (Schwarz introduces bits of information that are unnecessary to the natural movement of the story, so it is like wearing a shirt with hundreds of frayed edges);and the overall message is unclear: what did she really mean to say with this work? I would not consider it appropriate teaching material until these aspects are dealt with. Until then, it cannot be likened to literature.
Rating:
Summary: Too Predictable.
Review: I was thrilled to get this book in the mail, and ended up disappointed. I felt the plot to be mundane and predictable. The writer revealed the story line by telling the story in both current and past frames of references, and in first person from the viewpoint of several characters, much like in The Poisonwood Bible. The Poisonwood succeeded in creating a compelling read. This book did not. There was very little character development. It seemed implausible to me that Carl would search twenty years for evidence that his wife was unfaithful to him, then just say, "Oh, well. Life goes on..." within one day of finding this evidence. Other than references to the war times, little of the interactions in the book developed the scene and time frame to an effective agree. I'd skip the book.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful
Review: Very well written. The author sets you up to read the entire story from the first chapter. This is not one of those books that you can read the first chapter then then skip to the back and find out what happened. Don't do it! From the beginning, you know there was a drowning and then slowly the story unravels with a surprise ending.
Rating:
Summary: For Mr. Powells English 11 Class
Review: Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz is a breathtaking novel that depicts human nature when it comes to protecting the ones that we love. As the plot intensifies, it seems as if you are present, listening to the conversations between the characters. Schwarz does a wonderful job illustrating this complex novel into a masterpiece that becomes impossible to put down. The theme of the novel is the result of secrets, and the impact it has on the lives of those involved. She carefully explains this theme in a way that one can find themselves wrapped up in the situation, and relate with the characters and their feelings.
The novel takes place in the early 1900's when Amanda, a nurse, returns home to live with her sister Mathilda, and her three-year-old niece Ruth. No later than a year after Amanda's return, Mathilda mysteriously disappears, and is later found frozen beneath the lake beside their home. Amanda takes it upon herself to raise Ruth, and to handle the farm alone. Ruth grows up with only one true friend, Imogene. When Imogene falls in love with Arthur, a local boy, Ruth cannot understand why her aunt objects to their relationship. It isn't until secrets about Imogene's parents and the events that occurred the night of the drowning are revealed that Ruth and her aunt grow apart, yet realize they are not so different after all.
Because Ruth was only three years old when her mother disappeared on that cold winter night, the only memories Ruth has of her mother are short flashbacks, which she cannot piece together to discover the truth. Although Ruth grows up heavily guarded by her aunt, curiosity and strong will lead to her development as a young woman who will eventually discover the truth behind her family's secrets.
Amanda is a very complex character. She drives herself to insanity at one point in the story, believing she is responsible for the death of her beloved sister, and parents. She also carries around a lot of anger for the man who mistreated her. Amanda is a very life-like character, for she exemplifies human nature, and the way people try to hide from the truth, as a way to escape from reality.
The book is written in past and present tense through the eyes of Amanda and Ruth. Amanda recalls the events that lead up to Mithilda's death, while Ruth has flashbacks of the terrible night. According to Anita Shreve, Schwarz creates "a strong sense of portent and unusually vivid characters." Drowning Ruth is slow to start, but as the plot intensifies, and secrets are revealed, the pace accelerates.
Schwarz does a very good job in writing this novel. Although she writes on a very complex situation, she careful in her clarity on the story. The only weakness I found in the novel is the ending. Schwarz creates so much intensity throughout the novel, but quickly explains the impact it has on the family. She leaves the reader hanging. Overall, I believe this is a very well written novel, and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys intense stories.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful and Unpredictable
Review: "Drowning Ruth" kept me engrosed in it and as they say, "on the edge of my seat" the entire time. I had to keep picking it up as soon as I put it down to read more and more. It's fast reading and well written.At times you think you have it all figured out (the plot and the story line behind the name of the book). It's creatively written, with the story told in many of the main character's voices, and skipping from the past to the present - back and forth in time. The writer keeps you gripped in suspense up until the very end. Well worth reading!
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