Genres
Collection
Publication
Park Row (2020), Edition: Original, 320 pages
Description
Fiction. African American Fiction. Literature. HTML:Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by Ms. Magazine, USA Today Book Riot, The Rumpus, Library Journal, PureWow, The Every Girl, Parade and more. "Forever and to the end. That's what they say instead of I love you." When Ruby King's mother is found murdered in their home in Chicago's South Side, the police dismiss it as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But for Ruby, it's a devastating loss that leaves her on her own with her violent father. While she receives many condolences, her best friend, Layla, is the only one who understands how this puts Ruby in jeopardy. Their closeness is tested when Layla's father, the pastor of their church, demands that Layla stay away. But what is the price for turning a blind eye? In a relentless quest to save Ruby, Layla uncovers the murky loyalties and dangerous secrets that have bound their families together for generations. Only by facing this legacy of trauma head-on will Ruby be able to break free. An unforgettable debut novel, Saving Ruby King is a powerful testament that history doesn't determine the present and the bonds of friendship can forever shape the future.… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member gpangel
Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West is a 2020 Park Row publication.
Friendship, family, the church, and murder all converge with a reckoning with the past…
This debut novel is set in the south side of Chicago, and is mainly centered around Ruby King and her best friend, Layla. When Ruby’s
Layla’s father is the pastor of the Calvary Hope Christian Church, and for some reason, seems to defend Lebanon, and sternly warns his daughter to steer clear of the situation- despite Layla's deep fear that Ruby may do something drastic.
The church is a focal point for the characters, as it raises its unheard voice to reveal long buried secrets that overlap with current events. The true heart of some of its congregation is illuminating, as well. The book describes the importance of the church and how it is a cornerstone of the community. But, it also draws attention to true Christian faith- which is more than warming a pew on Sunday morning by calling out the way some folks conduct themselves outside of the church.
This is a resonant story, with strong elements involving family loyalty, strong friendship bonds, religious faith, trauma and abuse, but also forgiveness, understanding, and healing.
The author employs several unique tactics giving the story a wide -ranging reach, somehow managing to make the location and the church, significant characters, with important roles in the story.
As praiseworthy as the book is, I did have a some issues with the book:
While I love the author’s boldness, the freshness her style offers readers, there are too many first -person points of view, in my opinion.
This is a writing technique I have always struggled with. It seldom ever fully works for me because I have a hard time keeping up with the numerous characters, plus it prevents me from making a deep emotional connection to the characters. This book also has the added challenge of navigating multiple timelines, which made me work much harder than should have been necessary. It was slow going for a while, but I did eventually find a rhythm and flow.
That said, the book, overall, is very good. There is a restless, uneasy quality about it, a strong sense of foreboding that haunted me all throughout the story. It is dark, and it could be intense at times. It is a crime novel, and a mystery, as advertised, but it also touches on deeper, important, subject matter. I would think this book would be a great book club selection!
Although I struggled with this one a little, I still felt this was a strong debut for this author and is one to keep an eye on!
Friendship, family, the church, and murder all converge with a reckoning with the past…
This debut novel is set in the south side of Chicago, and is mainly centered around Ruby King and her best friend, Layla. When Ruby’s
Show More
mother is murdered, in the minds of all those concerned, the prime suspect is her father, Lebanon, a man known to horribly abuse his wife.Layla’s father is the pastor of the Calvary Hope Christian Church, and for some reason, seems to defend Lebanon, and sternly warns his daughter to steer clear of the situation- despite Layla's deep fear that Ruby may do something drastic.
The church is a focal point for the characters, as it raises its unheard voice to reveal long buried secrets that overlap with current events. The true heart of some of its congregation is illuminating, as well. The book describes the importance of the church and how it is a cornerstone of the community. But, it also draws attention to true Christian faith- which is more than warming a pew on Sunday morning by calling out the way some folks conduct themselves outside of the church.
This is a resonant story, with strong elements involving family loyalty, strong friendship bonds, religious faith, trauma and abuse, but also forgiveness, understanding, and healing.
The author employs several unique tactics giving the story a wide -ranging reach, somehow managing to make the location and the church, significant characters, with important roles in the story.
As praiseworthy as the book is, I did have a some issues with the book:
While I love the author’s boldness, the freshness her style offers readers, there are too many first -person points of view, in my opinion.
This is a writing technique I have always struggled with. It seldom ever fully works for me because I have a hard time keeping up with the numerous characters, plus it prevents me from making a deep emotional connection to the characters. This book also has the added challenge of navigating multiple timelines, which made me work much harder than should have been necessary. It was slow going for a while, but I did eventually find a rhythm and flow.
That said, the book, overall, is very good. There is a restless, uneasy quality about it, a strong sense of foreboding that haunted me all throughout the story. It is dark, and it could be intense at times. It is a crime novel, and a mystery, as advertised, but it also touches on deeper, important, subject matter. I would think this book would be a great book club selection!
Although I struggled with this one a little, I still felt this was a strong debut for this author and is one to keep an eye on!
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LibraryThing member fredreeca
Ruby’s mom has been murdered. Ruby is completely at a loss. Her mother’s death leaves her with an abusive father and with little recourse to get away. Layla, Ruby’s best friend, is always there. She is determined to help her friend but to what end. There are way too many secrets and
Wow! This is a wonderful story. This is a debut novel and the author nailed it. I fell in love with Ruby right from the start. And her and her mother’s situation terrified me. The deeper I went into this tale, the more tangled it became.
Well, if you read one book this year..this is it! It is unforgettable, amazing and intense! The way this story is twisted around itself and just keeps unfolding literally keeps the reader on the edge of the seat! And the ending! Oh my!
Plus, the author is profound in many of her statements. Her prose is unique and I cannot say enough about her talent!
This book will stay with you for a while! Do not miss this one!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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dangers.Wow! This is a wonderful story. This is a debut novel and the author nailed it. I fell in love with Ruby right from the start. And her and her mother’s situation terrified me. The deeper I went into this tale, the more tangled it became.
Well, if you read one book this year..this is it! It is unforgettable, amazing and intense! The way this story is twisted around itself and just keeps unfolding literally keeps the reader on the edge of the seat! And the ending! Oh my!
Plus, the author is profound in many of her statements. Her prose is unique and I cannot say enough about her talent!
This book will stay with you for a while! Do not miss this one!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
I love reading a debut novel from a new author, the excitement of finding a new voice, knowing that the author has poured everything into this endeavor. Catherine Adel West's Saving Ruby King is a debut novel, and it's brilliant.
The novel opens with Ruby King's mother murdered in her own home on
Ruby's best friend since childhood, Layla, is concerned for Ruby's safety. Ruby is distraught, but won't allow Layla to help. Layla's father, Jackson, the pastor of Calvary Church, has known Lebanon since childhood, and has been secretly giving money to Lebanon for some unknown reason.
Layla wants to help Ruby, but Jackson orders her to stay away from Lebanon. Layla and her father have been butting heads recently, and things that have been simmering under the surface are coming to a head.
The story is alternately narrated by Layla, Jackson, Ruby, Lebanon, and even Calvary Church narrates secrets that have happened within its walls. The two families have grown up in that church, from Lebanon and Jackson's mothers as children, to Layla and Ruby.
Saving Ruby King has elements of a mystery to it- who killed Ruby's mother, why is Jackson giving money to Lebanon- as well as a multigenerational story about secrets and the damage that keeping those secrets can cause down through the generations.
I found myself totally absorbed in this emotional story from the opening pages, and every revelation was another gut punch. The idea of Calvary Church narrating parts of the story worked so well, the church is central to the lives of these people.
I highly recommend Saving Ruby King for anyone who likes a compelling story, with characters that you can empathize with, and a strong sense of setting. I hope to be reading more books from Catherine Adel West in the very near future, she is a wonderful writer. And if you want to read more books by black authors, Saving Ruby King is a good place to start.
The novel opens with Ruby King's mother murdered in her own home on
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the South Side of Chicago. Many people suspect Ruby's father, a man with a bad temper who had spent time in prison for killing a man years ago. People suspected that Ruby's father Lebanon beat his wife, but that was a not so hidden secret.Ruby's best friend since childhood, Layla, is concerned for Ruby's safety. Ruby is distraught, but won't allow Layla to help. Layla's father, Jackson, the pastor of Calvary Church, has known Lebanon since childhood, and has been secretly giving money to Lebanon for some unknown reason.
Layla wants to help Ruby, but Jackson orders her to stay away from Lebanon. Layla and her father have been butting heads recently, and things that have been simmering under the surface are coming to a head.
The story is alternately narrated by Layla, Jackson, Ruby, Lebanon, and even Calvary Church narrates secrets that have happened within its walls. The two families have grown up in that church, from Lebanon and Jackson's mothers as children, to Layla and Ruby.
Saving Ruby King has elements of a mystery to it- who killed Ruby's mother, why is Jackson giving money to Lebanon- as well as a multigenerational story about secrets and the damage that keeping those secrets can cause down through the generations.
I found myself totally absorbed in this emotional story from the opening pages, and every revelation was another gut punch. The idea of Calvary Church narrating parts of the story worked so well, the church is central to the lives of these people.
I highly recommend Saving Ruby King for anyone who likes a compelling story, with characters that you can empathize with, and a strong sense of setting. I hope to be reading more books from Catherine Adel West in the very near future, she is a wonderful writer. And if you want to read more books by black authors, Saving Ruby King is a good place to start.
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LibraryThing member Dreesie
In this novel West looks at family secrets, and what they can do to families through the generations. And there are a lot of secrets, so this review is minimal to avoid spoilers. The story takes place on the south side of Chicago, c1950s, 1970s, 2000s--but that's a guess.
I listened to this on
———
Three girls--Violet, Naomi, and Sarah--are the best of friends in their south side of Chicago neighborhood. As teens, Sarah has lost her mother. Her father is still the pastor at Calvary Church in their neighborhood. Then Sarah needs help, and her friends come through.
Two generations later, Violet's son is the pastor, and his daughter Layla and Naomi's granddaughter Ruby are the best of friends. But their grandparents and their parents have secrets that may ruin lives.
———
I listened to this on
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audio. There were several voice actors, which I like, but one of them in particular I did not much enjoy. I thought the cadence was odd for the text, and the actor sounded more like a child than an adult. Another actor I very much enjoyed.———
Three girls--Violet, Naomi, and Sarah--are the best of friends in their south side of Chicago neighborhood. As teens, Sarah has lost her mother. Her father is still the pastor at Calvary Church in their neighborhood. Then Sarah needs help, and her friends come through.
Two generations later, Violet's son is the pastor, and his daughter Layla and Naomi's granddaughter Ruby are the best of friends. But their grandparents and their parents have secrets that may ruin lives.
———
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LibraryThing member bookczuk
Summer/ pandemic read. I'm trying to read more black and BIPOC authors. This book was excellent in opening my eyes to another part of this works, as well as breaking my heart for the same reason.
LibraryThing member SimplyKelina
Check triggers on this as this does cover many difficult topics.
This was a little all over the place at first. I had to piece together who was who and what storyline went with who. Each story caught my attention though so I kept reading this one.
It was also a little slow at times with all the
This was a little all over the place at first. I had to piece together who was who and what storyline went with who. Each story caught my attention though so I kept reading this one.
It was also a little slow at times with all the
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switching. Show Less
ISBN
0778305090 / 9780778305095