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My Review of The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton

I thought that this was a very sad and touching book. I particularily enjoyed the first hundred or so pages when Ruth was young. Reading about her sad and poverty-stricken life, it reminded me of things that I sometimes can let myself forget. It is so easy to forget that there is so often so much more inside a person than they are letting out. Jane Hamilton wrote the character of Ruth so very clearly, that I could often see pieces of myself in her although I am lucky enough not to suffer her misfortunes.

The second half was quite a disappointment. Ruth is left with a mess of a life, one that I didn't feel was in line with her character. And it takes a bizarre tragedy to get her out of this monstrosity. All in all, this book can be rather depressing, especially when you find yourself pitying a heroine that makes unwise, naive decisions and is unable to find strength within herself.

"However, Mr. Darcy is the man that I truly admired. I see him clearly. He is exceptionally tall, and his head is covered with black curly hair. He looks serious except when he smiles at you; it knocks you straight across the room. His smile is that brilliant. He doesn't ever do anything to hurt girls. I longed for him to walk out of his book and reach for my hand." (p.120)

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