Drowning Ruth: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club) by Christina Schwarz Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.89 You Save: $11.06 (74%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Drowning Ruth: A Novel (Oprah's Book Club)
Book Review: With Kathy Bates, it could be a terrific film.
Summary: 4 Stars
With its vivid depiction of its post-World War I setting in Wisconsin, its nightmarish complexities as a family saga, its carefully developed suspense, and its simplicity of theme, Drowning Ruth has "blockbuster movie" written all over it. This statements is not meant as a negative--Drowning Ruth is a very good read!
The author is precise and careful about building her suspense with excruciating slowness. She has created intriguing characters--at heart, not all that different from you and me--characters who are confronted with difficult problems to solve, some of which are not of their own making and some of which are the unexpected results of desperate decisions made in the long ago past. Her alternations of point of view help to give breadth and depth to the conflicts within the main characters, while the fragmentary memories which Ruth contributes add to both the mystery and the sense of dread.
Although Schwarz ably illustrates the restricted roles into which women had to adapt themselves during the period, the mores which applied to "good girls," and the limited choices open to them, the lack of liberation is so natural a part of her story that her novel and its complications are by no means part of a liberation manifesto. Drowning Ruth is a simple story presented clearly and suspensefully by an author who, like Amanda, is careful to keep her grasp completely within her reach. Mary Whipple
Book Review: Suspense builds up to an anti-climax
Summary: 3 Stars
Well defined characters, and a suspenseful plot that promises a lot but leaves you just a bit disappointed at the end, when perhaps you might reasonably be entitled to expect a late twist. A couple of the events necessary to fuel the plot seem a little contrived, such as the way that Clement Owens is somehow planted into the vicinity of the Neumanns, the way that Ruth is introduced to the Owens household, and the way that Carl, whose character appeared to be developing quite satisfactorily, is suddenly removed from the story, presumably to facilitate the desired ending. That said, this is still a very readable psychological thriller, and a promising debut for this author. Recommended.Book Review: Not bad
Summary: 3 Stars
Drowning Ruth is a great book in concept. The story revolves around the mysterious drowning of Mathilda Neuman in a lake in Wisconsin. From the onset it is clear that her sister Amanda, with whom she was living at the time knows more about the drowning. It is even suggested here and there that she is to blame for her sister's death. Whether this is the case I leave to the potential readers to read for themselves and find out.
As the story moves forward from that point on, the chain events leading up to Mathilda's tragic death are little by little revealed. Meanwhile, Ruth, Mathilda's daughter is growing up, her father Carl returns from the war and Amanda, tries to be a good mother to her niece.
Some very interesting issues are at the centre of this novel: sibling rivalry that seems inseparable from sisterly love; traditional family values and what is viewed as proper behaviour for women that may lead to desperate measures, are only a few examples.
Some of the characters were also enticing, especially Amanda, whose over-protectiveness of her mother, sister and niece is not easily classified. Is it selfish or selfless?
However, I believe this work has some flaws and it makes the author come across as promising but inexperienced. For one, all male characters are flat. Whether this was intentional or not, it takes a toll on the credibility of the story. Secondly, there are some loose ends that the author didn't tie up. For example, in order to conceal her secrets Amanda allows Carl to believe things about his dead wife that may be detrimental to his memory of her. Thirdly, when the truth finally comes out, Ruth's reaction is a bit simplified, making it an anticlimax to this story.
But all in all I enjoyed reading this book most of the time. I especially found the psychological issues enticing. For this reason, I believe this book to great material for literary discussions, so if that's your thing, you should read this book or suggest it for your book club.
I might read another novel by the author, but hopefully there will be some improvements on her storytelling skills.