Ruth Audiobook

" One of the reasons I love the Victorian Era of literature is because of all the wonderful women novelists that emerged at that time. Gaskell is one of the best writers of the era. "

" Ruth is, to the modern reader, an interesting piece of social history and a damning indictment of the Victorians' attitude to illegitimacy. However I did think that it dragged in places and was overly sentimental, especially towards the end. "

" Love this book! a simaler story to Hester Pryne in a Scarlet letter but with a better moral lesson. who are we to judge someones past when they have proved themselves to society? wonderful! "

" Very similar to the Scarlet Letter, only Ruth is a whole lot better. I just can't relate the Puritans and their unforgiving hateful nature toward Hester. This book showed the combination of people who judged Ruth harshly for her mistake and those who treat her with compassion and help her to change, overcome obstacles and become a truly great person. While it is slow at times, this is a good book overall, and a real example of the way we should treat people. "

" Profoundly moving. This novel actually galvanized an entire society to examine the harshness of their cultural practices-namely, holding the woman responsible for every consequence of immoral behavior. Ruth's story is heartbreaking, especially considering the fact that her major crime was in being gullible...something most honest women admit has happened once or twice in our romantic histories. This is a period piece- the writing is classically superb and requires patience from the reader who is not comfortable with this genre of writing. "

" I was glued to this novel...although I have to admit that it took me about the first two chapters to get there. The author, Gaskell, has a Jane Austen feel so if you like that genre, I think you'd enjoy this story. "

" In the first part of the book the characters seemed very one dimensional and at times it was tedious. I almost didn't finish it. The last third of the book was the best because the characters became more real. "

" My friend Mary recommended this... By the same author as Cranford. I loved the plot of RUTH, but felt it bogged down in the middle. The characters of Ruth and her illegitimate son tug at your heart strings. As I age, I am having more trouble reading books with the small type and dense text! "

" This isn't my favorite Elizabeth Gaskell, but I still enjoyed reading (listening to) it. An interesting view of the fallen Victorian woman. "

" Good but very tragic. I wished it had ended differently than it actually had--but still an interesting read. "

" I generally enjoy Gaskell's novels, but I found this one to be too Morally Uplifting for my taste. It's as if she needed to compensate for writing the story of an unwed mother by almost constant sermonizing. If you're looking for a good Gaskell, try either _North and South_ or _Mary Barton_. "

" If I could possibly rate this any worse, I would. "

" Like a fairytale somehow, despite the sadness. Or maybe something biblical. Very intimate, worth reading. "

" One of my very favorite books- not very cheery like a good J. Austen, but a lovely story. It challenges me to see others like their Creator sees them. "

" I absolutely loved this book. Ruth is the embodiment of inner beauty and she is physically also gorgeous. Her inner strength and faith are beautifully portrayed in this book. I laughed and cried, and enjoyed every word. "

" Gosh, I couldn't even tell this was by E.G. And I've given up halfway through. Too much Tess of the D'Urbervilles for me. "

" Ruth: both beautiful inside and outside. A novel about religious and societal induced repentance, shame and hypocrisy, that is only for the young dame, not for the lord. Oh, what a sentimental sap I can be, and how well did Elizabeth Gaskell get me into her corner! "

" I liked the rapid flow of time jumping over the years, the characters and their heated debates, and the occasional comic bits. "

" Deeply moving story which surprisingly contains only one death. "

" You have to read this book a portion of the time. It has moments where it can be a bit too much to take at one time. "

" Story was predictable. She has better novels. "

" Another fantastic book by Elizabeth Gaskell!! Hard to decide which of her books to read next. "

" Reminds me of Dreiser's <em>Jenny Gehrhardt</em>. I'm only on Chapter 3, but can't put it down. So far, I think this will be my favorite by this author. <br/> <br/>PS: Reading this on Kobo. c. 2010 The Floating Press ISBN: 978-1-775450-05-4 "

" I liked the rapid flow of time jumping over the years, the characters and their heated debates, and the occasional comic bits.<br/> "

" Really enjoyable on a subject which today doesn't seem such a big deal. Interesting how sypathetic Gaskell is and you feel that Ruth was a character she cared about. "

" The philosophy is quite old fashioned but it is a great book. "

" Deeply moving story which surprisingly contains only one death. "

" Wonderful story about true humility, charity, and hope. Hope in the goodness of people, and hope in the Savior. "

" Ruth is the same type of story as Scarlet Letter and Tess of the D'Urbervilles, but it is written with all of Gaskell's tenderness. I loved the mentioned books and I love Gaskell so this was a winner for me. "

" This book was so marvellous! I love Elizabeth Gaskell. =) "

" About an unwed mother in 19th century England. In opposition to the harsh rejection prescribed by much of society, it deals with the truly Christlike way of responding to such a situation. Not an exciting, fast-paced story, but one that made me think. "