The Fortunes of Ruby White in Aussie Readers

Dec 09, 2011 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

The Fortunes of Ruby White was not quite what I was expecting. At the center of this lighthearted, chick lit novel is a thread of unease as Ruby is pulled into the cult like environment of the Jassmyn Empire. Still hurting after a messy breakup, albeit 21 months ago, and now jobless, after refusing to memo her boss's mistress a Dear Jane letter, Ruby is feeling lost until she stumbles into a yoga class that directs her to the Jassmyn Empire. Offered boundless flattery, and a job, Ruby can hardly The Fortunes of Ruby White was not quite what I was expecting. At the center of this lighthearted, chick lit novel is a thread of unease as Ruby is pulled into the cult like environment of the Jassmyn Empire. Still hurting after a messy breakup, albeit 21 months ago, and now jobless, after refusing to memo her boss's mistress a Dear Jane letter, Ruby is feeling lost until she stumbles into a yoga class that directs her to the Jassmyn Empire. Offered boundless flattery, and a job, Ruby can hardly believe her luck when she becomes a Level Three employee at the 'new age' Empire. Beguiled by the extraordinary Jassymn she is willing to overlook the eccentricities of her new workplace embracing their manifesto of health, wealth and love though herbal teas, aromatherapy, re-birthing and psychic advice. As Ruby blissfully buries herself in the Empire's philosophy her parents and friends grow increasingly worried when she turns them away. When cracks begin to appear in the organisation's veneer, Ruby's faith is shaken but it's not until it all falls apart that she realises what she has lost.

I enjoyed being introduced to Ruby White, the opening chapters give us a character who is smart, witty and sarcastic but also vulnerable after recent events have left her single and unemployed. Ruby is not someone you would expect to be taken in by the sham practices of the Jessamyn Empire, she has loving parents and close friends, but her hidden insecurities make her ripe for their methods. Bombarded by praise and given special attention by the handsome and charming Mr Petrie and enigmatic Jessamyn, the allure of the slow indoctrination is irresistible and without any purposeful intent Ruby falls hook, line and sinker for the company line. Weston shows how easily Ruby's insecurities are exploited as the Empire encourages her to immerse herself in the ethos. It's not until her best friend comes begging for a miracle that Ruby begins to question her obsession and even after the company implodes its difficult for her to recognise the depth of her self delusion.
While The Fortunes of Ruby White starts in a light hearted manner, and on the surface things largely continue in that vein, underneath there is a frisson of tension that isn't quite hidden by Weston's glib humour. Even as I giggled at Ruby and her father's exchange over the pillow and wondered how it is people can be so naive, or desperate, as to pay a fortune for therapy from a parrot a sense of unease remained. I think it's because I am sensitive to the subject of cults, having witnessed a friend get trapped in similar circumstances, that for me the darker side of situation was ever present.

The Fortunes of Ruby White is an entertaining and enjoyable novel that has a surprisingly serious core. Lia Weston is another author I have discovered via the Australian Women Writers challenge and with this debut novel, she proves to be a talented and witty writer. I look forward to her next title. ...more

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Sep 26, 2010 Jenny rated it really liked it

Shelves: women-s-fiction

This is the thorougly entertaining story about young woman, Ruby White and her induction into the amazing Jasmyn Empire: a happy-clappy emporium of scented candle sniffing, robed, yoga addicted floaty individuals whose path to inner peace may very well be a decent into hell. While family and friends look on, Ruby becomes more and more immeshed in this other world, a world controlled by the magnetic Jasmyn. Not surprisingly, Ruby eventually reaches a crossroads where she must make a choice betwee ...more

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Feb 25, 2012 Melissa rated it liked it

3.5 stars..

Not a bad read but I lost interest halfway through. I did pick it back up and finish though but I don't think that book was for me! ...more

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