Rubyfruit Jungle is the first milestone novel in the extraordinary career of one of this country's most distinctive writers. Bawdy and movin...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2008
Tatiana
rated it: 
i swear i already wrote a review of this book but maybe not.
okay, so you're young, you've suddenly realized you're a lesbian. one out of every two people you talk to in the next year are going to recommend rubyfruit jungle. it is THE coming out book. i wonder if gay men have an equivalent. anyway. personally, i think this book is overhyped. let's remember that this is the same lady who writes murder mysteries with her CAT. that's right, not about her cat, but with her cat. c More...
okay, so you're young, you've suddenly realized you're a lesbian. one out of every two people you talk to in the next year are going to recommend rubyfruit jungle. it is THE coming out book. i wonder if gay men have an equivalent. anyway. personally, i think this book is overhyped. let's remember that this is the same lady who writes murder mysteries with her CAT. that's right, not about her cat, but with her cat. c More...
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Jun 23, 2011
Hilary
rated it: 
Definitely an interesting historical look at some concepts (lesbianism, feminine gender roles in society). I did think it was a little heavy-handed and presumptuous at times (the fact that every woman the protagonist is interested in wants to sleep with her as well, the idea that anyone who can throw off the shackles of societal standards would prefer to be a lesbian because the sex is objectively better, etc.) Also her talent for her chosen career is portrayed in very tell-don't-show manner (
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Jun 10, 2011
Mindy
rated it: 
6/10/11: It was fun. I liked Molly Bolt before she came to NYC a lot more than I did after. And I saw someone else's review mention that the book was pretty butch-phobic, and that's true. So it was fun, especially before she got to NYC, but mostly just OK.
Something that was interesting about it for me--(I can't help reading as an informal sociologist, it seems.)--was the trenchant gender critique, and the realization that not so long ago the woman as class president, as film director, More...
Something that was interesting about it for me--(I can't help reading as an informal sociologist, it seems.)--was the trenchant gender critique, and the realization that not so long ago the woman as class president, as film director, More...
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Jun 10, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
I've read this book about 8 times in the last 18 years. In it, she mentions bagels & lox. I only JUST, at age 31, figured out what LOX was, though... Thankfully I understood everything else in the book, so we're good. I was just late on the lox stuff.
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May 14, 2007
sydney
rated it: 
This is a coming-of-age novel about Molly, a tough, smart, adopted lesbian (her mom tells her she's a "bastard") who also happens to have sex with a bunch of dudes (she thinks it's boring) throughout her life. She grows up in Pennsylvania and moves to Florida, then hitchhikes to New York City.
The writing is, at times, too simplistic, and the dialogue forced, but Molly is a funny and likable character. Brown portrays heterosexuals as perpetually unhappy, dishonest with t More...
The writing is, at times, too simplistic, and the dialogue forced, but Molly is a funny and likable character. Brown portrays heterosexuals as perpetually unhappy, dishonest with t More...
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Apr 11, 2009
Dharma
rated it:
I just reread that and was amazed how much I did not like it. Mostly the writing is amateurish, luckily she improved in this area. The story reads much more like "I wish I had been this brave and sure, so I'm going to write like I wanted to be, not how I actually was".
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Jan 26, 2009
Lualncol
rated it:
Tatiana is not being fair. RMB wrote this book reasonably early in her career, 30 years ago. The humor of the time was different, the references were different, shock value was different, risque was different. At the time it was shockingly welcome. It is still today a very joyful, affirming book for gay, straight, adopted, natural, or just unique.
RMB is older and mellower now (see cat mysteries!) but this is an important, albeit fictionalized, documentation of her thoughts and develop More...
RMB is older and mellower now (see cat mysteries!) but this is an important, albeit fictionalized, documentation of her thoughts and develop More...
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Dec 16, 2009
Genna
rated it:
One of the few books regarded as a "classic" of lesbian literature, Ruby Fruit Jungle bothered me. What begins as a not-too-bad lesbian coming of age story evolves into an anti-heterosexual, anti-motherhood manefesto. The plot and the writing suffer as a result, and my own disagreement with the message prevents me from enjoying the book.
I was able to find solace in regarding the book as something of a historical relac - a museum piece of sorts that illustrates well a p More...
I was able to find solace in regarding the book as something of a historical relac - a museum piece of sorts that illustrates well a p More...
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Feb 03, 2012
Ronit
rated it:
For some reason I can’t seem to resist a good gay coming-of-age story, so when I spotted Rubyfruit Jungle at the local rummage sale I knew we’d be spending the night. Published in 1973, the book follows the adolescence and early adulthood of Molly Bolt, who identifies as a lesbian at a young age and boldly embraces her orientation despite the prejudice she faces in the dirt-poor South and later in scintillating NYC. The storytelling is rushed and strains credibility at times (nearly every woman
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Dec 29, 2011
Sophie
rated it:
I read this book by accident. Literally and metaphorically, as was trapped in a foreign hospital without anything to read. After pleading with anyone who'd listen (in bad German), one of the nurses said she had one English book at home and this is what she brought me.
By the look of the 70s cover and dreadful blurb making it out to be some sort of erotic lesbo fiction, it didn't look like the sort of book I'd choose for company over Christmas. It just shows you shouldn't judge a book More...
By the look of the 70s cover and dreadful blurb making it out to be some sort of erotic lesbo fiction, it didn't look like the sort of book I'd choose for company over Christmas. It just shows you shouldn't judge a book More...
Sep 19, 2011
Hayley
rated it:
Rita Mae Brown seems excited to be exploring the evolution of Molly Bolt. Our feisty lesbian protagonist grew up poor in Pennsylvania, moved to Ft. Lauderdale, gets kicked out of UF, and ultimately hitchhikes her way to New York City. Each change of location brings a change of book, literally a different chapter in her life.
This is not a book of heavy introspection. Molly already accepts herself, right from our first meeting with her, when she is in grade school. She satirizes the r More...
This is not a book of heavy introspection. Molly already accepts herself, right from our first meeting with her, when she is in grade school. She satirizes the r More...
Dec 05, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
Had me laughing out loud by the time I reached page 5. The book tells the life story of Molly Bolt, a poor girl who comes from rural Pennsylvania. Molly narrates the book, which follows her to her adolescent years in Florida and to her life as a struggling film student in New York. Along the way, Molly lives her life as a sexually liberated young lesbian.
Molly is a wonderful character: a witty, intelligent combination of artist and trickster. The book is full of humor and satirical More...
Molly is a wonderful character: a witty, intelligent combination of artist and trickster. The book is full of humor and satirical More...
Jul 04, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
I just sat down and read this. I wasn't planning on reading the entire thing, but it's the 4th of July and sometimes these things happen.
I really loved this book from a historical standpoint, with Molly kind of personifying the early struggles of both the women's and gay rights movements. What I didn't like so much was the lack of subtle exposition. I was willing to forgive the book for some clunky dialogue in the name of politics, but after a while it started to grate on me. More easily f More...
I really loved this book from a historical standpoint, with Molly kind of personifying the early struggles of both the women's and gay rights movements. What I didn't like so much was the lack of subtle exposition. I was willing to forgive the book for some clunky dialogue in the name of politics, but after a while it started to grate on me. More easily f More...
Feb 07, 2010
E.
rated it:
My mother's totally 2nd wave feminist, lesbian, sepratist, viola playing best friend gave me this book when I was 15. Hinting at what exactly? Rita bums me out with her anti butch sentiments. However, I love her notion of sexual superiority in pretty much every way possible. Rita's turnin' everyone out from her uptight square lipstick bestfriend to her mother fucking cousin. It could be annoyingly self indulgent but it's so over the top sometimes that I just love it. She's incredibly judgemental
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Sep 21, 2009
Sabrina
rated it:
Seeing as I've been dating women for awhile, I figured I'd finally read this classic of lesbo lit. My review in one word, "eh. . ."
I mean, Brown's got a great handle on a fierce character, and there are streaks of beauty in this jammed story, but the main problem it has more ego than Ayn Rand (whom I love, btw). Rae's main character, Molly, is strong willed, defiant, and brutally brilliant against her slow as molasses thinkin' counterparts and family members. I'm one f More...
I mean, Brown's got a great handle on a fierce character, and there are streaks of beauty in this jammed story, but the main problem it has more ego than Ayn Rand (whom I love, btw). Rae's main character, Molly, is strong willed, defiant, and brutally brilliant against her slow as molasses thinkin' counterparts and family members. I'm one f More...
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Sep 20, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
So the very first book I read this year was Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown. It’s one of those classics of lesbian fiction that I’ve never gotten around to until now. When I was back home for Christmas my Dad gave me a big box of books that his (formerly) lesbian friend gave him. As she knows I’m also a queer, she told my Dad there were a bunch of lesbo books in the box that I might like. I went through it but there wasn’t much that struck my fancy except for Rubyfruit Jungle, because I kne
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Mar 20, 2011
Rubyfruit Jungle has long been a staple in feminist and lesbian libraries, but this story isn’t exclusively for that audience. It’s a story about Molly Bolt, who lives in relative poverty in rural Pennsylvania. This is Molly’s story, and as she tells it from her perspective, we follow her life as it changes and evolves as she herself grows: from the back country of Pennsylvania, to the suburbs of Florida to the mean streets of New York City. During her Florida years we comes to terms with her se
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Mar 02, 2008
I remember how much this book opened my eyes to a whole new world of sexuality I didn't know existed. All I can say is that I thank my friend Kim for mentioning this book with an intensity in her eyes that I had never seen before. I bought it that day, I think, and read it in two days. It still sits on my shelf as a reminder of how a good book can seriously change your life. Warning: not for the sexually "sober"
Oct 28, 2011
Aaminah
rated it:
Read as a teenager & just got another copy to re-read. I remember this book being very fundamental to me originally, as I came out at that time. Re-reading it was somewhat disappointing, however. The writing is excellent and it was a very fast and funny read. But the language was painful to read, especially specific to race relations/issues. I do believe that it was appropriate to the time/place being portrayed but I think I had not noticed/been as affected by it the first time. The bigger issue
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Apr 29, 2009
Samantha
rated it: 
The book's heroine has been described as "a genuine female descendant of Huckleberry Finn." Now I was never a fan of Mark Twain or Huck Finn, but this is a book I had a hard time setting down. The heroine is the adopted daughter of a very poor southern couple who want much better for the daughter...even if it isn't always conveyed with the right sentiment. Unfortunately, Molly and her parents have very different views of what she should pursue. Molly grows up a tomboy who loses her
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Jul 19, 2011
J
rated it:
(FROM JACKET)The appearance in hardcover of this landmark novel, deemed so outrageous when first published and still so funny and wise....
"Rubyfruit Jungle" is about growing up as a lesbian in America-and living happily ever after. Born a bastard, Molly Bolt is adopted by a feisty, dirt-poor Southern couple who bring up their daughter to respect her own fresh, curious outlook and love for learning. As Molly becomes old enough to realize she's different, she decides she need not a More...
"Rubyfruit Jungle" is about growing up as a lesbian in America-and living happily ever after. Born a bastard, Molly Bolt is adopted by a feisty, dirt-poor Southern couple who bring up their daughter to respect her own fresh, curious outlook and love for learning. As Molly becomes old enough to realize she's different, she decides she need not a More...
Feb 03, 2011
Judith
rated it:
Rita May Brown wrote "Rubyfruit Jungle" during the early 70's as a groundbreaking story whose heroine was a "don't-try-to-stop-me-I-know-what-I-want" gay woman whose coming of age tale spanned from the 50's through the last year of the 60's. Brown's bildungsroman novel follows the main character, Molly Bolt, from Coffee Hollow, in rural Pennsylvania, to Florida, then on to New York.
While Brown relays the trials and tribulations of growing up gay in the land of th More...
While Brown relays the trials and tribulations of growing up gay in the land of th More...
Apr 23, 2011
Cheri
rated it:
I wish I could do half star intervals, I would give this book 3.5 stars. There are things I loved about this book and things that I disliked a lot (I won't say hated because it was a decent book). A very short 246 page paperback should not have "slow spots"; and if it does, there should only be one. I felt there were several slow spots in this book. But then they'd be offset by a good 10-20 pages of great flow.
The main character, Molly, had such a great spirit. You h More...
The main character, Molly, had such a great spirit. You h More...
Jan 17, 2012
Jessica
rated it:
People seem to love or hate this novel and I remember getting into arguments about it in Library School. I personally liked this book quite a bit and don't feel like defending my stance. I would like to say that many consider it an "anti-motherhood manifesto" and I have absolutely no problem with anti-motherhood manifestos. The beginning chapter of the book is absolutely hysterical when Molly is discussing the unsightly appearance of Broccoli's junk; that sold it for me and I read it s
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Jun 16, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 17, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Things I liked about this book:
Written the way people actually speak
Not sentimental about difficulty in relationships, especially parent-child ones
Things I didn't like:
The heroineis far more plucky than any real person and I therefore wish there were more accounts of her occasions of self-doubt
Other people constantly bill it as a lesbian coming-of-age story (ex: it was shelved with LGBT books in my local library)
This last criticism isn't one of Rita Mae More...
Written the way people actually speak
Not sentimental about difficulty in relationships, especially parent-child ones
Things I didn't like:
The heroineis far more plucky than any real person and I therefore wish there were more accounts of her occasions of self-doubt
Other people constantly bill it as a lesbian coming-of-age story (ex: it was shelved with LGBT books in my local library)
This last criticism isn't one of Rita Mae More...
Jun 23, 2009
penelopewanders
rated it:
This came via a book spiral, and I thought I had already read it, but if I did it left no impression. My feeling is that this must have been quite revolutionary when it first came out, but seems fairly tame now. The ending, according to the back cover, should be positive, but quite frankly it felt a bit sad to me. Fortunately much has changed in recent years, even if so very much still remains to be changed. Or perhaps I just have lived in more open-minded communities. At anyrate the core issues
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May 13, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
I'd like to give it 2,5 stars. Because I like and dislike it. It depressed and encouraged me. The end left me utterly angry and I am torn between liking and disliking the heroine. I keep wondering why she only met crazy people and think that was a bit too much. Yes, granted her life's a bitch but every life has it's good people in it. Even if you were a lesbian at that time surely there were some 'good' people one could be friends with? Surely not all the world was discriminating and weird and d
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Aug 18, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Oh, we men are so horrible... as a member of the minority sex I read this with some chagrin. Sure, traditional roles and values have created a situation where we're assumed to have more power and privilege.
But that's as sexist an assumption as the the idea that women are weak and incapable of acting without the help of men...and we've always been considered as expendable in any generation. At the time I read this I considered myself to be a 'feminist sympathizer." Unfortunately howe More...
But that's as sexist an assumption as the the idea that women are weak and incapable of acting without the help of men...and we've always been considered as expendable in any generation. At the time I read this I considered myself to be a 'feminist sympathizer." Unfortunately howe More...
Aug 09, 2010
Heather
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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