Ruby

by Ann Hood

Book Overview

After the Sudden Death of Her Husband of barely one year, Olivia must rebuild her life. Ordinarily vivacious and strong, she suddenly finds herself empty and unable to surmount her grief. Then she... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312204302
• ISBN13: 9780312204303
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Picador USA
• Length: 225 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A good read.

Olivia and Ruby meet under very unusual circumstances. Olivia is staying at a beach house that she and her husband planned to live in together. He was tragically killed and she is trying to come to terms with her grief. She finds Ruby in her kitchen drinking a glass of water. Ruby is 15, pregnant, and has no place to go. Although suspicious of her, Olivia lets her stay in her house and gradually they form a bond.Olivia decides that the best thing for everyone is for her to adopt Ruby's baby. But will Ruby keep her word? Even tho she's only 15, there are times when she seems to think that it will be possible for her to keep her baby.Their relationship goes through many stages from the distrust in the beginning to true friendship at the end. It is a marvelous book.

Ann Hood is a sensational writer!

In the book Ruby by Ann Hood, the main character Olivia is the one person who goes through many hardships, and overcomes them one at a time. First her husband dies when he is hit by a car. Then she returns to her house one day only to discover a pregnant fifteen year old, Ruby, sitting at her kitchen table. She takes this girl in, and the story goes on from there. This novel is sensational! Towards the end of the novel, suspense starts building, and you can't put the book down. Olivia is determined to get custody of Ruby's baby, but will she? Will Ruby and the father, Ben, let her do so? Due to some of the graphic content and adult language, this novel is more recommended for the adult reader. I give this book five stars, and will definitely read more of Ann Hood's books.

Engrossing Book

I've read all of Ann Hood's books and I must say this is my favorite one. She captures the grief a newly married widow would be feeling and experiencing perfectly. Her portrayal of Ruby as a messed-up, needy teenager is also right on the money. I thought the characters seemed real and they stayed in my mind long after I finished the book. The only thing I really didn't think belonged was Oliva's relationship with Jake. She just suddenly went to his house (he was her lawyer)and began a sexual relationship? What about his "girlfriend?" I think he just represented her need to feel loved again. Anyway, beyond all that I give this two thumbs up.

A wonderful book full of funny, real, earthy characters!

Ann Hood alternately captures the heartache and the comedy of a unwed, pregnant teen and a middle-aged widow thrown together while trying to cope with their own individual life lessons. The characters are funny, warm and believable. You can actually smell the salt air of the Rhode Island shore! This is one of those books you want to read curled up in front of the fire with a good cup of tea! It is highly enjoyable......one of Hood's best! Bravo!