Pegged as the loser in a small-town family that doesn't have much going for it in the first place, Ruth grows up (unlovely and unloved) in the shadow of her mean and brilliant brother, Matt, trying to hold her own in a world of poverty and hard edges. The little happiness she finds is in reading the books on tape for old, blind Miss Finch and in the letters she receives from her adored Aunt Sid. Matt's genius for mathematics is his escape from Honey Creek, but Ruth, with no ticket out, cleaves instead to her tough and ...
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Pegged as the loser in a small-town family that doesn't have much going for it in the first place, Ruth grows up (unlovely and unloved) in the shadow of her mean and brilliant brother, Matt, trying to hold her own in a world of poverty and hard edges. The little happiness she finds is in reading the books on tape for old, blind Miss Finch and in the letters she receives from her adored Aunt Sid. Matt's genius for mathematics is his escape from Honey Creek, but Ruth, with no ticket out, cleaves instead to her tough and bitter mother, May, who continues to trickle out the last of her love to Matt even as he leaves them without a backward glance. Eventually Ruth meets and falls for Ruby, the sweet but slightly deranged man she marries and supports. Ruth spots stains at Trim 'N Tidy Dry Cleaners, bowls at the Town Lanes, and tries in vain to keep the peace between May, whose lashing criticisms blow through the cramped house with gale force, and Ruby, who spends his days getting stoned and watching reruns of Bewitched on TV. The arrival of Justy, Ruth and Ruby's newborn son, temporarily suspends everyone in mutual joy, but soon the baby becomes the object of their most heated contention. When the precarious household erupts in violence, Ruth is the only one who can piece their story together - and she gets at the truth in a manner at once ferocious, hilarious, and heartbreaking. In this powerful, incandescent novel, Jane Hamilton has worked a small miracle: She has given voice to a young woman you have passed on the street a thousand times. Perhaps you have never noticed her, but the next time you see her, you will know who she is. Passionate in her commitment to life, Ruth is a stunning testament to the human capacity for mercy, compassion and love. "The Book of Ruth" is Hamilton's magnificent debut.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Hardback. 8vo. 1988. First Edition, First Printing. Inscribed by author on title page: " For the Grandchildren you, you, you, you, you & you Jane Hamilton". Priced clipped. Previous owner's address sticker on front free end paper. 328pp.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 0395866502. Signed and inscribed by author on title page. Very light bumping on spine tail. A few spots of VERY light staining on cloth portion of binding. Spot of rubbed soil on bottom edge of rear board. Bit of foxing on page tops and light rubbed soil on other page edges. Else pages clean. Light rubbing and bumping on DJ spine extremities and fold corners. Light rubbed soil on rear panel. A few small stains on inner DJ.; GFH22B; 328 pages; Signed by Author.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Dust Jacket Included. Book 0395866502 First edition, Signed by the author on the title page. NOT inscribed, clipped or otherwise marked. Dust jacket in protective cover and shipped in a box.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Signed by Author(s) 1st Printing. pp. 328. First Edition, First Printing. Signed by author on title page. Hardcover in Dust Jacket with only minor reading wear; DJ in mylar-wrap; book is clean, unmarked. In stock. Ships from MN, USA.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Book. Inscribed By Author on Title Page Mild damp stain to the bottom of the spine with corresponding stain to inside of dust jacket. Dust jacket proyected by removable Brodart cover. Inscribed "For Chuck-All best-" by author and then signed.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 8x5x1; Ticknor & Fields; New York, 1988. Hardcover. First Edition. A Very Good, grey boards and black cloth spine with red lettering on spine, binding sturdy and intact, bit of rubbing along board and spine edges, crimping to spine edges, some scattered foxing to text block edges, bit of age toning to pages, in a Very Good, trace handling/scuff marks to panels, mild edge/corner wear, bit of foxing to flap margins, Mylar protected, Dust Wrapper. A nice, clean and unmarked copy. 8vo[octavo or approx. 6 x 9 inches]. 328pp. We pack securely and ship daily with delivery confirmation on every book. The picture on the listing page is of the actual book for sale. Additional Scan(s) are available for any item, please inquire.
I was uncomfortable with the stylistic language and portrayal of a character from a small town that tended to come across a bit forced. The logic of the characters held together fairly well in their actions and motivations. The shock ending also felt like a formula approach for books of current popularity.
JoJo1938
Jan 3, 2008
You will not put this book down
Very good read. I was always waiting for something to improve Ruth's situation. This is a book you will think of often after reading it.
