Reviewer: Robyn Whyte
Title: Ruby Among Us
Author: Tina Ann Forkner
Publisher: Water Brook Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-4000-7358-0
Release Date: May 2008
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction
Year/Setting: Present day - Sacremento
Overall Rating: 2.0
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Tina Ann's Website:
www.tinaannforkner.com
Ruby Among Us starts with a child's memory of her mother's last day on earth. Following Ruby's death, Lucy grows up with her grandmother, Kitty taking the palce of mother. Kitty surrounds her with books, music and art, preferring to homeschool her while working.
It takes some reading time before Lucy twigs that Kitty is withholding information. As Lucy doesn't recall much, Kitty has been able to hide her family from her. Finally, Kitty tells the story in snatches. Meanwhile, Lucy questions faith and learns more.
The essential flaw to this book is that it's not actually about Ruby or in fact all that much about Lucy. It's essentially a recall of secrets and happenings in Kitty's life and how some decisions she made in haste have kept her, her deceased daughter Ruby and now Lucy from knowing their family. When Kitty has a chance to mend fence, say 20 years after hasty decisions, she doesn't take them, showing she's a small, gutless type of character. And so as this book is really all about Kitty and her flashbacks, it speaks to the flaw. On top of that, she admits selfishly to keeping Lucy from her real father and continuously lies to the real father throughout. So clearly, her character is muddier than the Rio Grande in Spring and a little inconsistent.
Despite the problems in the storyline and the focus, occasional mistakes and typos, the book has some vivid descriptions. One can't help but long for La Rosaleda of Kitty's past even for a visit. As well, the story line with Lucy's boyfriend is cute and romantic, though it is not the focus of the story. It is also refreshing to see a character with Asthma.
So in rating this book, I give it a low score for its flow, for its organization and lack of focus as well as plotline issues. But I do want to suggest that this author is someone who writes well and most likely has a big future.
Robyn W.
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Robyn W. know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews