Ruth Hall: A Domestic Tale of the Present Time
by Fanny Fern
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 42)
Poor Ruth. She, like Rodney Dangerfield, gets no respect. But she's tough and determined and driven and soon enough things go Ruth's way. Hooray!
I do have one issue with this book though. Apparently, Ruth Hall's story closely parallels her author's--Fanny Fern. So when you get to the end of the book after Ruth has found some success you become subjected to page after page of how great Ruth (aka Fanny) is. There are four (!) pages where "Ruth" visits a phrenologists and he expla...more
I do have one issue with this book though. Apparently, Ruth Hall's story closely parallels her author's--Fanny Fern. So when you get to the end of the book after Ruth has found some success you become subjected to page after page of how great Ruth (aka Fanny) is. There are four (!) pages where "Ruth" visits a phrenologists and he expla...more
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Read in August, 2008
The stars aren't letting me give this a rating, but I would give it 5 stars if I could.
The book club I attend chose this for the month of August and I loved it. I took a lot of American humanities and literature classes in college and I wonder why we never read this. The author, Fanny Fern (a pseudonym) was the first paid female columnist in America, and was at one time the highest paid columnist during her time.
I love stories with strong female character and I love stories written by ...more
The book club I attend chose this for the month of August and I loved it. I took a lot of American humanities and literature classes in college and I wonder why we never read this. The author, Fanny Fern (a pseudonym) was the first paid female columnist in America, and was at one time the highest paid columnist during her time.
I love stories with strong female character and I love stories written by ...more
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Ruth Hall is one of those books that unabashedly allows its characters to say what most people only think. Feeble Ruth, bears the brunt of it all from father to brother, to mother-in-law, to employer, to stranger. It all works out for Ruth though doesn’t it? She gets all the fame, all the money, and all the glory, while ironically those who coveted their money so dear, and kept it so far from Ruth, can now only wallow in their remorse. Could we expect anything else? There was no other way...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
All Women and Girls
This book is wonderfully written. Ruth Hall (our heroine) faces many obstacles. Her family turns her away when she is at her lowest. As a single mother in the 1800s Ruth struggles to survive and persues a seemingly ever-fleeting career in Journalism.
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Read in November, 2007
recommended to Mary by:
assigned for my American Literary Renaissance classrecommends it for: classic lit geeks / feminists
Actually a really interesting read. You've got to love classic literature with a strong female lead (not to mention author.) Also, the chapters are ridiculously short, making it a quick go, which is especially nice so late in the semester.
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i really, really liked this novel, although i am not usually a fan of the sentimental pap of the feminisht writing of the 18th century. its a fast read, and just...endearing. definately worth picking up.
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recommended to Beth by:
Dr. Lyle Smith
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. A great commentary on sexism in the period. Ruth is a fascinating and multi-faceted character. Well worth the read.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
19th century people, fans of Dickens
One of the better pieces of antebellum sentimental fiction. Pleasantly satirical, in addition to examining the urban publishing culture.
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It's american, so it's not really victorian, but whatever.
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