Ruby

Ruby by Cynthia Bond  368 pages

There’s not much left to say about the latest Oprah book selection. Critics nationwide have lauded, applauded, ad criticized Oprah’s latest pick.
 

Still, here I am, giving my two cents worth, whether anyone cares or not. Bottom line, I found the writing beautiful, the metaphor and similes some of the best I’ve read in years. If an illustration is needed, see page 6, first full paragraph. Here if probably my favorite sentence in the book, which I found in that paragraph. “She made it in that packet of time before dawn, when the aging night gathered its dark skirts and paused in the stillness.” Gorgeous, huh? 
 

I was surprised that I wasn’t pulled into the story more. The storyline moved rather slowly, but now that I think about it, that’s one of the things I liked best about Cynthia Bond’s debut novel.  As far as the language goes, it isn’t meant to be read fast; it’s meant to be savored, much like the P. S. Duffy’s writing in her debut novel, The Cartographer of No Man’s Land. The inability of the plot to make me long for my day to end so I could relax in my favorite chair was disappointing and the main reason I’m giving this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
 

My favorite character was Ephram’s sister. Although rather stereotypical in voice and description, she seemed the most stable and dependable character.

 

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.