Ruby by Cynthia Bond
Published by Random House
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Genre: Fiction, Historical, African American
Pages: 368
Source: Blogging for Books
Ephram Jennings has never forgotten the beautiful girl with the long braids running through the piney woods of Liberty, their small East Texas town. Young Ruby Bell, “the kind of pretty it hurt to look at,” has suffered beyond imagining, so as soon as she can, she flees suffocating Liberty for the bright pull of 1950s New York. Ruby quickly winds her way into the ripe center of the city--the darkened piano bars and hidden alleyways of the Village--all the while hoping for a glimpse of the red hair and green eyes of her mother. When a telegram from her cousin forces her to return home, thirty-year-old Ruby finds herself reliving the devastating violence of her girlhood. With the terrifying realization that she might not be strong enough to fight her way back out again, Ruby struggles to survive her memories of the town’s dark past. Meanwhile, Ephram must choose between loyalty to the sister who raised him and the chance for a life with the woman he has loved since he was a boy.
Review
I am not even sure where to start with this book review. I have enjoyed most of Oprah's book recommendations and this is why I chose to read Ruby. I was not disappointed.
This story is about a girl named Ruby that suffers from an unbelievable wicked and cruel past. At one point I could not believe what I was reading and questioned whether I wanted to continue. This story is beautifully written but it does have dark and haunting subject matter. I personally was reminded of how horrible our world and people can treat others. However, Ruby and Ephram remind us among all the wickedness in this world there still is hope. That hope is what I decided to focus on while reading.
This book is wonderfully written and I have given in 5 stars. It does deal with some graphic topics and therefore it is definitely for adults. If you have enjoyed reading past Oprah selections I would highly recommend Ruby.