Mad City: A Novel

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Summary: deep, poetic & thought provoking.
Review: The words of this book were so poetic and beautiful. The story itself was dark but very interesting and thought provoking. I could see a little bit of myself in Ruth as I'm sure anyone who has ever been misunderstood and/or rejected could. I found myself relating to Ruth, feeling sorry for her and being frustrated with her. All the charactors were interesting and unique. This is not a "light read" so if your into Harlequin Romances don't bother with The Book of Ruth, it's only for serious readers.

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Summary: Iloved Ruth
Review: The book was well written, insightful, and compassionate. I cheered for Ruth all the way through the book. In life I feel that we all have felt her pain, confusion, and growth. She is a hero for herself. Rah! Rah! Rah! for Ruth.

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Summary: Excellent. this book, although fiction,could easily be real.
Review: The oppression of a small midwestern town, poverty, deep hurts, and much more, make for empty lives. ruth is "found wanting" in all ways. Her mother, may, whose heart is full of pain and hate,knows little about loving her daughter. ruth's husband, ruby, who is mentally ill, in his way loves ruth. he lives with tormenters inside him. his pain and rage coupled with may's dark heart create in the reader a justified fear for ruth and her son. unwritten throughout the book is how volital life was...a feeling of dread. this book is fiction, created in the mind of the author, however, this story could....and does....happen in the real world.

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Summary: Trailer Trash Are People Too
Review: It is a sad truth in today's society that many of us who read books look down on those who don't. Hamilton's Ruth belongs to the set most people would classify as "trailer trash." But Hamilton shows us how any person can bloom with love and guidance. There is a sophistication of understanding and compassion in Ruth that many of the educated would do well to emulate. The story is well-told, touching, and believable.

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Summary: My life has been enriched by reading this book
Review: My book club chose the Book of Ruth to discuss last month. We are all educators and have taught Ruth, May and Ruby and their families. I have seen children go through our school system untapped and ignored because of background. These children can be forgotten about from 1st grade on up. It is much easier to ignore these situations than address them. This book made me appreciate the slow children, those from less fortunate, and the ones who do not speak up for fear of being ridiculed just like they are at home. I had a sympathy for Ruth and also for Ruby. T he general concensus was that no one felt sorry for May. She did not even try to overcome her circumstances whereas both Ruby and Ruth did. The ending was sad but all too real in todays society. The positive aspect of this book is that Ruth did survive and has an opportunity for future growth. The fiction of this ending is that all too many times in reality, Ruth would not have survived this brutal attack. Although not an uplifting book, I am certainly glad I read it.

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Summary: Better than audio!
Review: Several months ago, I listened to my first audio. Love the idea of someone reading to me. However, with this novel, I felt disconnected, it was like the movies, no character building, etc. So I READ The BOOK, and was thoroughly impressed. There was so much detail identifiying the characters and settings, and I gathered a real sense of who characters are and how and why it all came about. The writing is excellent! I was consistently captivated, Was Ruth toooo ignorant to realize her mother's unhappiness and verbal abuse, was Ruth toooo ignorant that she immediately settled for someone as pathetic as Ruby. She encountered positive people in her life but chose to ignore and live her life with losers. Tragedy is what makes a body change, hopefully it changed Ruth.

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Summary: Resilience and Goodness of Fit
Review: The Book of Ruth is really a story about survival in difficult world. Ruth, a shy often pitiful specimen of a girl, is, by fate, placed in a world mismatched for her potential. Born to harsh, cold, depressed mother, she is doomed from the start. But it is her connection to one supportive human being, Aunt Sid, that allows her to survive. I was haunted by the real world issues of the profound impact of poverty and igonorance on the lives of 'good' people. Ruby was not the enemy and maybe May was not either. Every character is this book were surviving the best way they could given their unique situations. A great book.

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Summary: "Nobility of the Soul at Odds With Circumstance"...
Review: Roethke describes madness as nobility of the soul at odds with circumstance. I think this message lies at the core of this book. Ruth's hope and quiet determination give meaning to a life fraught with cruelty and pain. The unconditional love she receives from her aunt helps provide her with an outlet for her feelings and a sense of self-worth that ultimately gives Ruth a source of resilience and belief in a future she can forge through her own strengths.

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Summary: Well written, simplistic story of an endearing woman. Great
Review: Must read book!!!

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Summary: Real
Review: Growing up in a small PA town, I met some individuals who could easily fit the portrait of Ruth. Anyone who finds this book boring, is lacking depth of the mind, heart, and soul. Jane Hamilton has an amazing ability to become the character in a completely convincing manner.