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Book Review By Coletta Ollerer
The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton

Ruth is a strange looking, poor student, using language which implies borderline retardation. Her low self-esteem is reinforced by a mother who prefers Ruth's brother, Matt, to her. Ruth's marriage to a man her mother dislikes puts a lot of pressure on the marriage since economic necessity forces them to live under her roof. The author skillfully takes on the voice of a person with a skimpy education, low IQ and deprived background and reveals her as worthwhile and very heroic. Ruth's natural wisdom prevails as she comes to grips with the terrible calamity which changes her life.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 1960's-1970's
Poverty, surviving Yes
Kind of living: - general poverty story
Internal struggle/realization? Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Brain/Body disability? - mental illness

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - Female
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Midwest
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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