Rating: 
Summary: Harsh but real
Review: It is true that you should not read this book if you are feeling down, but the book really touched me. I felt so much sadness while reading it, but I also felt a kind of understanding for Ruth, and a sympathy at the cards she was dealt. Despite the seemingly hopeless characters in the book, Ms. Hamilton does manage to relay that tiniest flicker of hope that can be maintained in even the most harrowing situations.
Rating: 
Summary: Depressing
Review: If you are at all prone to depression or suicide do NOT read this book. It is well written and well crafted, but to what end?
Rating:
Summary: Ok, but lacking in something
Review: I would say this book was merely "OK". I found that I would force myself to read it to get it over with. The characters were hard to identify with - especially Ruth. I think it lacked in character development - and lacked any kind of identifiable reason for the behavior. Something just did not fit. I found the whole book was building and building up to a strange ending...which also seemed unfinished.
Rating:
Summary: Verisimilitude
Review: So many of the books in this space (personal narrative of a person who generally isn't in a position to speak) fall into what I think of as the wishful thinking trap. That is, they can't seem to resist some kind of transformative moment which saves the character-- some kind of stock situation that, while tempting to believe, is ultimately unfulfilling because it's so false.The Book of Ruth doesn't write personal history the way we want it to be. It writes history the way it so often is. Some lives are wasted. Some abusive relationships aren't all bad. Some people never recover, no matter how much you wish they would. While this book doesn't close the door on Ruth, it doesn't leave you with a satisfying road map of happiness either. And that uncompromising vision is part of what makes it so strong and beautiful. Hamilton is a very good writer, and can make something beautiful even when logically you agree with Aunt Syd and know it's a disaster. Really a marvelous book.
Rating: 
Summary: Well done!
Review: The story is very well written. I came away from it very disturbed by the violence; however, sometimes squirming is good for a reader. I think it is a good literal awakening to the realistic violence that exists in life.
Rating:
Summary: A reader
Review: Those who didn't like this book for its sad and tragic ending must realize that one of the main points of the book is just that, life can be tragic and sad. I loved Ruth like no other character I have read. I cried with pity for her only to laugh out loud a few pages later at her insightful wit. I was overcome by Ruth's desire to be loved and "normal". The complexity of it's characters, who you will love and hate, helped to keep it intriguing. I will never forget this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good or bad...this one stays with me.
Review: I read this 3 or 4 years ago and at the time I thought that I didn't really care for it -- the negative tone and VERY dramatic end. The funny thing is that years later this is one novel that I can remember quite clearly. It really makes you *feel* something and maybe that's what good literature is supposed to do.
Rating:
Summary: BOOK OF RUTH
Review: Sorry Oprah, this was a flop. The whole time you're reading about Ruth, you wonder what the point of the book is. I have to admit that I had sympathy for the girl, but when you find out what the point actually is, you are mortified. If the book had focused more on her getting her life back together and finding actual real happiness, that would have been a good story!
Rating:
Summary: Exquisitely written; disturbingly negative.
Review: It's hard to imagine a writer more capable of literally sucking you into the life of her protagonist, Ruth. Once you've turned a few pages, you're going to live it through til the bitter end. And a bitter end it is. Other readers speak of Ruth's subtle transformation in the last two chapters, but I found it ambiguous at best. What really bugged me about "The Book of Ruth" was the main character herself, who narrates her family's life story with amazing astuteness, but remains absolutely clueless about her own dreadful choices. Ruth's family is sour and [understandably] self-absorbed, but none of them measures up in abusiveness to her vapid husband, Ruby, whose unpredictable behavior Ruth overlooks and excuses until he inevitably erupts in a murdeous rage. Guaranteed to be thought-provoking!
Rating:
Summary: WELL DEVELOPED CHARACTERS
Review: This is the first Jane Hamilton novel I ever read and the best book I've ever read. I was hooked with her style from the very first page. This book is somewhat disturbing with the events that happen throughout Ruth's life. In a way it is also comforting. You have to read it to know what I mean. You won't be disappointed. It is a short and easy read. One you will not want to put down and will want to read over and over. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading. I look forward to many more good books by this wonderful author. Also recommended-A Map of the World. I hope to meet Ms. Hamilton some day. She is brilliant!
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