Ruby by Cynthia Bond is as unconventional as a love story comes. Though Bond manages to flourish every page with her beautiful writing and the reader can easily loose themselves in it. Imagine the African-American town of Liberty in Texas in the 1950s and all the societal upheavals and discord. It's the story of Ruby and Ephram, two childhood acquaintances who grow up against different backdrops and have different experiences, but come together again despite the town and Epham's sister's disapproval.
It's a multilayered story: first of Ephram branching out from the protective wings of his sister (whom he refers to as Mamma) and becoming a man on his own terms, then Ruby reclaiming her own life and identity after a life of trauma and a dark past. The two characters manage to grow separately and ultimately together under the veil of dark magic, nosy neighbors and a town not yet ready to see them as anything other than who they used to be.
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| Ruby by Cynthia Bond |
Don't be turned off by the Oprah's Book Club sticker on the front of this one. While it does have all the fixings of the quintessential Oprah's Book Club pick, it is also a book you don't want to miss out on.
I should mention that this book is not pleasant in a lot of subject matter. It touches on a dark part of history that has it's roots planted in racism and misogyny. Consider this the warning I didn't get, before picking up this book. However, don't let it deter you from reading the tale of Ruby and Ephram.
Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.
