This is exactly the sort of book this project was intended for. I bought this book (and two sequels) during a publisher sale because they sounded interesting and different from my usual fare. And it was definitely different, especially in that I didn't realize when I bought it that it's inspirational romance. But I'm also really glad I read it, and without a project like this it likely would have sat on my e-reader unread for years.
The story focuses on the lives of a black family living in Georgia in 1915. The titular Ruby is the eldest daughter of the family, and her life (and the life of her whole family) was upended when she was raped and bore a son as a result of her attack. The rape is one of many disturbing elements of the story, which also involves lynchings, chain gangs and union breaking in the big mill of the town. It's not a easy story, but it also manages to find hope, and gives characters a path to a better life while not glossing over just how terrible life was for black people in the South fifty years post-slavery.
Ruby has just begun to reassert herself in public life six months after the birth of her son when a new doctor named Adam arrives in town. He's black but passed for white in order to attend medical school in Minnesota, and he's the son of the owner of the mill and a maid. Adam and Ruby butt heads at first but fall in love as they realize they can do more for themselves and other black people if they work together.
I really enjoyed the writing and the characters in this book. Ruby and her family were all incredibly vibrant, and Adam's outsider point of view was just the right level of naive. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this series focusing on additional members of Ruby's family.
Grade: B
The story focuses on the lives of a black family living in Georgia in 1915. The titular Ruby is the eldest daughter of the family, and her life (and the life of her whole family) was upended when she was raped and bore a son as a result of her attack. The rape is one of many disturbing elements of the story, which also involves lynchings, chain gangs and union breaking in the big mill of the town. It's not a easy story, but it also manages to find hope, and gives characters a path to a better life while not glossing over just how terrible life was for black people in the South fifty years post-slavery.
Ruby has just begun to reassert herself in public life six months after the birth of her son when a new doctor named Adam arrives in town. He's black but passed for white in order to attend medical school in Minnesota, and he's the son of the owner of the mill and a maid. Adam and Ruby butt heads at first but fall in love as they realize they can do more for themselves and other black people if they work together.
I really enjoyed the writing and the characters in this book. Ruby and her family were all incredibly vibrant, and Adam's outsider point of view was just the right level of naive. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in this series focusing on additional members of Ruby's family.
Grade: B
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