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Mama Ruby

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 500 ratings · 87 reviews

A "New York Times"-bestelling author returns to the turbulent 1940s she painted with verve and passion ("Christian Science Monitor") in her novel "The Upper Room" to bring fans the early years of one of the most indomitable heroines in contemporary literature.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published June 1st 2011 by Dafina (first published May 31st 2011)

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Jul 12, 2011 Heather Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great Great Read on Mama Ruby.
I was so happy that I have not read "Upper Room" because now I am so anxious to begin just wanting to know. Mary Monroe has done it again. She has lead us in to ruby's life and got me to compare growing up.
Ruby is a typical preacher's daughters. She was a strong mined individual who knew what she wanted but at the same time, was very inexperience of the everyday things of life. She was young and due to ruby being sheltered by her parents and being a black Negros was...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Tracy Darity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe is the prequel to the novel The Upper Room, which I have not read. It is said to have been written to give readers a view into the life of Ruby Upshaw prior to The Upper Room.

The story opens in 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mama Ruby chronicles the lives of childhood friends, Ruby and Othella. Ruby is the youngest daughter of a prominent preacher and Othella is the daughter of the town whore. The two forge a friendship that will last almost two decades; and share a se...more Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe is the prequel to the novel The Upper Room, which I have not read. It is said to have been written to give readers a view into the life of Ruby Upshaw prior to The Upper Room.

The story opens in 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mama Ruby chronicles the lives of childhood friends, Ruby and Othella. Ruby is the youngest daughter of a prominent preacher and Othella is the daughter of the town whore. The two forge a friendship that will last almost two decades; and share a secret they promise to carry to their graves. The book is almost 400 pages and most of those pages detail the sexual escapades of these two from about age twelve, on. At fifteen the two friends embark on an adventure that is laced with mishaps and misfortunes along the way. With their plans of a better life placed on hold, they journey from New Orleans, Louisiana, to south Florida where they eventually settle.

The author spent a lot of time, too much I think, going into great detail about the number of partners andactual acts performed by these young teens. It is raunchy, crude, and downright nasty; and when you factor in the age of the characters, it becomes yet another sad commentary for black girls, in general. At times I could relate to the characters, while other times I felt the story was so far-fetched that it was comical. I found myself wishing for a positive example of a loving relationship for these two girls to mirror, but it never happened. One thing I did love about the book was at the end when it is revealed that what the women wanted most in life could have been obtained at the very place they wanted so desparately to escape.

Monroe’s book is a simple read and moved quickly, although at times it felt weighted by useless information. I was disappointed that 3/4th’s of the book dealt with every aspect of Ruby and Othella’s promiscuity, but what should have been the meat and potatoes of the story was written like a summary in the final pages. Had Monroe focused more on the story between these two that took place in their adult lives, the book would have been more enjoyable for me and probably would have prompted me to check-out The Upper Room. I give Mama Ruby 3 Stars. It has its moments but definitely is not for the prudish.

Much Love,

Tracy

Tracy L. Darity is the author of He Loves Me He Loves Me Not! and Love...Like Snow In Florida on a Hot Summer Day. Her third novel The Red Bear Society is scheduled for release in Fall 2011. For more information visit: www.TracyLDarity.com.
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Jan 18, 2013 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is the prequel to a book written by Mary Monroe entitled "The Upper Room." No, I haven't read that book.
This is the story of 2 fifteen year old girls, Ruby and Othella. It is 1934 and the story takes place in Shreveport, Louisana. Because of the times and the way they are treated it is important to note that Ruby and Othella are African-American. Ruby comes from a family of 6 girls and her father is a minister. Othella's mother is a prositute. the girls aren't supposed to see other b...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Tasha rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, 2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

"There was a sudden burst of cold air between Ruby and Othella that they both felt on their faces; neither could understand what it meant. Ruby assumed that it was just because she was nervous and uncomfortable. Other than the fact that it was so odd and unexpected, Othella didn't know what to think about the cold air on such a warm day. Neither one shared her thoughts about it, but they both experienced an ominous feeling because of it."

The prose in Mary Monroe's Mama Ruby unfortunately doesn't...more

"There was a sudden burst of cold air between Ruby and Othella that they both felt on their faces; neither could understand what it meant. Ruby assumed that it was just because she was nervous and uncomfortable. Other than the fact that it was so odd and unexpected, Othella didn't know what to think about the cold air on such a warm day. Neither one shared her thoughts about it, but they both experienced an ominous feeling because of it."

The prose in Mary Monroe's Mama Ruby unfortunately doesn't get better than that.

Mama Ruby was available from my library's Kindle collection, and I like historical fiction, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The book is easy to read, but that's about all it's got going for it. I honestly am astounded that this book got published in its current state -- and that it has such high ratings, with an apparently rabid following.

There are so many problems throughout the book. Each chapter ends with clumsy foreshadowing, and the next repeats that scenario in the first few paragraphs -- as if the author is concerned that readers would forget the plot after a page. It's lascivious, with loving detail lavished on descriptions of bodily fluids and people beating one another. No character ever just says something: In every statement, they declare, they holler, they scream, they mutter while rolling their eyes.

The plot is simply unbelievable: Ruby's a teen who hides her pregnancy and gives up the baby, then is a prostitute, then murders her bootlegging husband, and then she steals a baby to make up for the one she lost.

But the part that made me laugh out loud was when Ruby offers to cook some greens in a Crock-Pot. The setting is WWII. (Hint: They were first manufactured in 1970.)

But then... It just ends. All the loose ends are just left hanging. Apparently Monroe got tired, or hit a deadline.

All in all, Mama Ruby reads like a half-finished rough draft. I finished reading it because I've set a goal to read a certain number of books this year, and I will admit that it's a quick read. (less)

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Jul 09, 2011 Sidne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Summary: This novel details the teen years of Ruby Upshaw and her early adult life and how Mama Ruby name came about. The prequel, The Upper Room introduced readers to a disturbed, strong willed, some what religious, comically malicious woman that keeps a child in the upper room. (read it to get the full story line)
In Mama Ruby the story setting is Shreveport, Louisiana, 1934. Ruby Upshaw is the youngest of seven daughters of Pastor and Mrs. Upshaw. Ruby is very strong headed. She did not like a...more Summary: This novel details the teen years of Ruby Upshaw and her early adult life and how Mama Ruby name came about. The prequel, The Upper Room introduced readers to a disturbed, strong willed, some what religious, comically malicious woman that keeps a child in the upper room. (read it to get the full story line)
In Mama Ruby the story setting is Shreveport, Louisiana, 1934. Ruby Upshaw is the youngest of seven daughters of Pastor and Mrs. Upshaw. Ruby is very strong headed. She did not like attending church every week nor the strict lifestyle that her parents upheld for her. Being the youngest of seven girls allowed Ruby to see and learn a lot from her sisters. She knew much more than her parents could imagine and me, lol.
Ruby, a prominent preacher daughter, decided to befriend Othello, daughter of a prostitute, against her parents wishes. Together the two of them become close friends while engaging in alcohol and sex.
Othello decides she wants a better life than the one she currently has so she starts saving money to leave Louisiana. Ruby is heart broken. After an devastating experience and witnessing an embarrassing encounter, Ruby decides she too wants out of Louisiana. At the age of fifteen these two young ladies set out to change their lives. They had a plan. To marry and live happily ever after.

My Thoughts
Characters: Ruby, strong headed. Refused to be subjected to withholding her opinion about anything to ANYONE. A first impression of Ruby: Fearless.
Othello, a surrogate mom to her siblings that got tired of being one. Had a desire to want a better life and set out to obtain it. I questioned her friendship with Ruby. I think her friendship with Ruby had an alternative motive. Pastor Upshaw, Hmm, I will only say; the bible says: not every man that says, "Lord, Lord, is of me'.
Simone: Othello mom. Her childhood did not offer her much so she never learned to give much nor be better as a mother. I really like the decision she made in regards to Ruby near the end of the story.

Theme: This book was written for entertaining purposes and Entertaining it delivers

Book Cover Opinion: The book cover of this novel connects to the title and its setting. The two women on the cover I think is Mama Ruby and Othello taking a summer walk along a daisy filled pasture. The cover nor the title alone is enough to make me grab for the book, however, seeing the cover and having read a previous novel from the author was a combination that would of steered me to the summary.

Storyline: Well written story line that described the youthful years of Mama Ruby. Even though this book is a prequel to The Upper Room, it is a great novel that can be read as a stand alone. The author definitely captured all questions readers may have conjured while reading The Upper Room. In my opinion the writer provided just enough sizzle without a lot of mundane details for a 400 page novel. The hardship of the first day in New Orleans would of sent my butt back to the train station, however, each girl was so determine to make a new life for themselves in New Orleans. Ruby and Othello are two dimensional character which means each had no role change throughout the story. The promiscuously lifestyle of Ruby and Othello was a major part of their lifestyle. Some readers may think its to vulgar since the age of the ladies are rather young.
I laughed and was sadden by turn of events in the novel. I did not like the fact that Ruby never wrote to her parents especially her mother even if life had not turned out to be crystal stairs. I wished things would of turned out differently for Othello since she wanted so badly just to be loved, however, what goes around comes around. Ruby is definitely a Madear character. This novel has earned its place on my bookshelf as a Darn Good Read with a 4.5 rating.
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Apr 28, 2012 A'ndrea Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mama Ruby is the prequel to Mary Monroe's The Upper Room. In this book, Monroe sets the stage for the infamous kidnapping that occurs in The Upper Room. Although I have yet to read the first book, I have been told that Monroe penned Mama Ruby after years of being asked the question, "What would make a woman kidnap and raise someone else's child?"

In Mama Ruby, Monroe introduces us to Ruby Jean Upshaw, a curious and determined preacher's daughter. Through her life experiences and observing others...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Stephaine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

i am loving this book cant put it down

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Jul 18, 2011 J rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

(FROM JACKET)Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Ruby Jean Upshaw is the kind of girl who knows what she wants and knows how to get it. By the time she's fifteen, Ruby has developed a taste for fast men and cheap liquor, and not even her preacher daddy can set her straight. Most everyone in the neighborhood knows you don't cross Ruby. Only Othella Mae Cartier, daughter of the town tramp, understands what makes Ruby tick.
When Ruby discovers she's in the family way, she's scared for the first tim...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Rosslyn Lipscomb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Purpose of writing this book is to entertain the audience. This book is about a young girl who is about 12 years old, she is influenced by her older sister on life lessons. Ruby knows what she wants, she has no problem speaking her mind whenever and to whoever she wants. Ruby is always doing something sneaky to get her way. This book is very well written.
I can definitely relate to some of the situations Ruby had to endure. Such as having to make up story to my parents so that I can hang out wit...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Bobby Christon-Walker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read "Mama Ruby" first and then read "The Upper Room". I was really disappointed! As two separate stories, they're okay, but as a set ("The Upper Room" being the "sequel" to "Mama Ruby"), they are inconsistent. It's almost as if the author did not reread "The Upper Room" before writing "Mama Ruby" as the prequel. Also, the endings of BOTH books left too much to be desired. I did enjoy "Mama Ruby" much more than "The Upper Room" but that was only because there was a consistent story that progre...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Mzmary Newton rated it 4 of 5 stars

The protagonist of this story is Ruby, a fifteen year old Preacher's kid. She leads two lives. One she shows her mother and father and another she shows to her friends. She has befriended a girl, Othella, her father has forbidden her to hang out with because this girl comes from a "bad" family. Othella's mother is a known prostitute and single mother with several children by different men. Ruby and Othella are not your average fifteen year olds. They are promiscuous and worldly. They get into se...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Judi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: comfort-food-reads, recorded-books

Again a wish for half stars. (I can wish in one hand . . . ) This would be a three and a half. This is my favorite of Mary Monroe's books thus far. Good narrator. A period piece set in the pre civil rights era Louisiana on the eve of World War Two. It chronicles the lives of two unlikely black best friends. One girl a pastor's daughter, the other a whores daughter. They move from hard times to harder times as they grow up. I find Mary Monroe's books consistently enjoyable and engaging.

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Jul 07, 2011 Stacey Pagan rated it 2 of 5 stars

I had a difficult time getting into this novel. I’m not sure if it was because the amount of sexual acts that took place with such young children, the vulgar wording or the amount of what seemed to be senseless background information. . . I have never read any of Monroe’s other books, and although I did not particularly enjoy this novel, I’m always willing to give authors a second chance!

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Sep 21, 2012 Nancy Bergman rated it 4 of 5 stars

I can see why this book and it's sequel "The Upper Room" elicit such extreme ratings. Seems that reviewers either hate them or love them! Very entertaining and, at times, very funny. What will Mama Ruby do next? Not to be read by those who are easily offended by the down and dirty descriptions of sex and don't lend either one to your young children! Bottom line: I enjoyed the book and thought it was a hoot!

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Jun 25, 2012 Cara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fun-or-frivolity, kindle

This is the prequel to another book. It explains why the title character would steal her best friend's baby. If you already knew the characters from having read the other book, it would probably be a delicious read, despite some credibility gaps and oddities. But for me, it felt off. It was ok for making me sleepy on airplanes, but I probably wouldn't have read it at home.

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Jan 24, 2012 Chrystal added it

Shelves: to-read-and-review

You would think by being the daughter of overly religious parents it would have had a positive influence on the main character, Ruby - but it did not. Instead Ruby was a promiscuous ignorant young daughter of a preacher and the horrific and somewhat unbelievable consequences that occurred throughout her childhood followed her into adulthood and only seem to be compounded by her actions.
My complete review will be posted on FictionAddict and Chrystal's Corner

Mama Ruby is the prequel to The Upper R...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Lynelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

The book was a complete page turner. It was quite a disappointment when it ended. Not in the usual I don't want this great book to end way, but in a - are you serious? That's the end? - way. It's like she was on deadline or had to suddenly wrap it up for some reason. It was very, very bad. I have to deduct a star for that ending.

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Jun 22, 2011 Latiffany rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mary Monroe writes funny light hearted books. I welcomed this prequel to The Upper Room. I can't say much except that it is a light enjoyable read. One of the things that I appreciate about Monroe's writing is that her characters are the most ordinary people living extraordinary lives. From her descriptions many of the characters seem like people that you pass everyday on the street, but have some interesting things going on behind closed doors.

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Aug 01, 2011 Danamm64 rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was a great page turner. I could not put it down! Although this book was very explicit at times, I found,that I could not wait to see what crazy thing happened next. Since this is the prequel to The Upper Room, I can not wait to read the sequel which was written first. I am glad that I will be reading the books in order

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Aug 12, 2012 Danita added it

Interesting story, the main character made alot of decisions that had long term effects on her life. The ignorance of the children and people in regards to sex and healthy relationships made me really sad. I am looking forward to reading the next book that deals with these characters.

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Jul 07, 2011 Lashanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was definitely a 4 star page turner. When a parent constantly forbid a child NOT to do something, they are more prone to give it a try. A preacher's kid is no different.

Ruby was bored and wanted to be like the other kids. She began sneaking behind her parent's back and formed a friendship with Othella. They go through their share of problems but remain loyal to each other.

I've never read The Upper Room but I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of mama Ruby.

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Feb 04, 2012 Sexydrkqueen rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 28, 2011 Flashette rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mama Ruby is the prequel to The Upper Room. In the prequel, I was hoping to learn a little bit more about why Mama Ruby is the way she is. I was also hoping to learn why Mama Ruby wanted a baby girl so bad that she would take matters into her own hands. Monroe provided glimpses into Mama Ruby's character but did not quite go far enough. I still don't really know and understand the reasons for Mama Ruby's bizarre behavior in The Upper Rooom. However, I do understand why she longs for a baby girl....more

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Jan 15, 2013 Atorius Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I have to admitt I was a little upset because she wrote the books out of order so I read The Upper Room First. But I still enjoyed Mama Ruby once I got to read it. It helped me understand why Mama Ruby was the way she was. It was very sad but a great read!

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Jul 12, 2011 Alisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a good book. I read The Upper Room first and couldn't wait to read Mama Ruby. It gives great insight into Mama Ruby's behavior in The Upper Room. The last chapter of Mama Ruby left me completely at a loss for words.

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Aug 07, 2012 Chandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

I originally wanted to read this book because it started off in my hometown of Shreveport,La. But it was so much more than that. I empathized with Ruby and everyone else in the story. A definite page turner.

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Dec 31, 2011 Anthea rated it 5 of 5 stars

The prequel for "The Upper Room" this chronicles the childhood of Mama Ruby & her best friend Othella. It's consistent with the tone and storyline of Upper Room which was written first. This is a real page turner as the plot twisted and I felt the need to dive into this much anticipated book...it did not disappoint!

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Feb 14, 2013 Kenyautta Thomas marked it as to-read

I have not read this book but I have read other Mary Monroe novels and I love them. Her style of writing is amazing and I always enjoy her interesting characters and so real story lines.

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May 05, 2012 Shayne rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was the usual from Ms. Monroe. Brothels, philandering men, sex, low self-esteem overweight main character that makes horrible decisions. Not her best work but definitely not her worst.

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Mar 25, 2012 Janet rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was an unusual book about two black girls growing up in Louisiana during the depression. They leave home at a young age in search of husbands and experience hardship and racism but are still fearless in search of their dreams.

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About Mary Monroe

I am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.

My first novel THE UPPER RO...more

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Books by Mary Monroe

God Don't Like Ugly (God Don't Like Ugly, #1)

God Still Don't Like Ugly (God Don't Like Ugly, #2)

God Don't Play (God Don't Like Ugly, #3)

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