Ruth (Penguin Classics) Paperback – March 1, 1998

The first thing I should mention about this book is that it is the first time I have read an Elizabeth Gaskell novel, and it was so wonderful that I cannot wait to read another one! This book took my breath away! It was so beautifully written that I did not want to put it down. Elizabeth Gaskell has a way with words that evokes such strong emotions in the reader. Her words provide such imagery throughout the book that you can actually smell the fragrance in the air, and most importantly, to feel the emotions the characters are experiencing.The setting is the mid 1800's in England and Ruth Hilton is a twelve year old orphan that has been signed over by her guardian to woman that has a sewing business. The work conditions are deplorable and Ruth has no relatives or friends in the city. Ruth is extremely beautiful, however she does not believe that beauty has much value. Her beauty causes the other working girls to be jealous of her, therefore she is an outcast which makes her even more lonely. She misses her parents and longs for someone to care for her.One Sunday, after church she notices a boy playing near a stream. The boy falls in and is close to drowning. Ruth screams until a young man comes to help her with the child. The young man's name is Mr Bellingham and he is immediately enamored by her beauty. They begin to go on walks after church and become good friends. One day, Mr Bellingham talks Ruth into going for a long walk to the house where she was born, because she misses it very much. On the walk back, it begins to get dark and a coach approaches and in it is the woman she works for. The woman tellsRuth that she cannot have such loose girls working for her and that she is not to go back to work. Mr. Bellingham convinces Ruth to go traveling with him. And the rest is history!You will fall in love with Ruth. She is such a sweet, loving person that you just have to fall in love with her. She has an extremely difficult time making her way in the world. It is interesting to read about the differences between then and now, and to see just how the female has risen above such terrible ideas of how a woman is supposed to act and what is expected of her.

When one thinks of Victorian sensation novels, one thinks of Wilkie Collins or Mary Elizabeth Braddon. The name Elizabeth Gaskell does not immediately come to mind. Elizabeth Gaskell was a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens. Ruth, the author's second book, is not Gaskell's best known novel, but it is a forgotten gem that is worthy of much praise.Ruth is the story of a young and innocent orphan who falls into the hands of a vain aristocratic young man named Mr Bellingham. Ruth Hilton was apprenticed to a seamstress by her guardian, but she loses her job when Mrs Mason, her employer, finds Ruth alone with Bellingham. The sweet and innocent orphan finds herself without a roof over her head. The cunning Bellingham coaxes Ruth into accompanying him to London where he promises he will take care of her. Ruth agrees. The sixteen year old orphan cannot begin to comprehend the ramifications of her decision.Ruth and Bellingham spend time at an inn in Wales where there is much talk and gossip about the beautiful young lady who is accompanied by a man who is not her husband. Ruth, however, remains oblivious to the gossip behind her back. Her stay in Wales is simply the happiest time of her life, but that happiness is cut short.Bellingham becomes ill and is whisked away by his mother leaving Ruth alone and heartbroken. Soon after Bellingham's departure Ruth is taken in by generous clergyman, Mr Benson. Ruth discovers that she is pregnant, and Mr Benson and his sister, Faith, take Ruth home with them and attempt give her a new identity to avoid the stigma attached to an unmarried mother. Ruth takes up residence at the Benson's home under the name of the widow Denbigh. Ruth lives with the Benson's for many years, but secrets always have a way of coming out.This is a novel of sin and redemption. The subject matter may not seem controversial to modern readers, but the author was very apprehensive about how the novel would be received by nineteenth-century readers. The novel sparked all sorts of debate about redemption that may or may not interest readers today, but the novel is worth reading for its emotional intensity. Ruth has one of the most heartbreaking endings that I have ever read. Highly recommended!

I rarely have such strong emotional reactions to books but this one is an exception. To most modern readers, this story might seem like a torture, and in some ways, they would be right. Yet, I just could not put it down, whatever my objections to the behavior of its main characters. It’s difficult to understand or accept the Victorian mindset, given its rigid moral codes, so rigid that a person’s entire life could be defined and confined based on one mistake early in life. The story was not at all entertaining but due to its deeply psychological and spiritual explorations, it became absorbing, so much so that I became personally invested in the development of its plot and characters.There were some plot details that did not make sense to me. For example, why did Mr. Bellingham change his name? It seems incidental, but I wonder if this was common for its time. There is one brief line late in the novel that suggests he changed his name to acquire property, which makes no sense. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this novel and intend to read more of Mrs. Gaskell’s secondary novels.

Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell has created primary and secondary characters and woven their lives into a story that makes it difficult to stop reading. I am there with them, feeling their happiness, pain, trials and challenges. The author gives very little description of features or appearance, yet I see these people clearly in my mind and know their character, their foibles and their personalities. This book kept my attention throughout and, as with any good book, I am sorry it is finished. I have no doubt I will read it again and again and I recommend you do too.

The writing style of Ruth might not be to everyone's taste. It's quite wordy and as some reviewers have said, it sometimes comes across as preachy. However the underlying issues of the book are as relevant today as they were in Mrs Gaskell's day. Although Ruth's story was affecting and interesting I didn't find Ruth herself a particularly interesting character. For me the main interest of the story lay in the actions, ethics and emotions of those around her, and these are explored in detail. Most of the characters are nuanced, neither all good or all bad, and struggling with their situations, the morals of the day and their own inner desires and motivations. The book is also satisfying for its descriptions of nature and celebrations of daily life - the satisfaction of a newly cleaned kitchen or in watching a plant grow and develop from year to year. I'm very glad I found this book.

Elizabeth Gaskell has become one of my favourite 19th century authors. Much better than Dickens for social observation especially in the depiction of women's lives.

Bought this book as a result of reading The Child's Child by Barbara Vine. Already a fan of Mrs Gaskall's writing I was pleased to discover "Ruth". The story tells of the downfall of an innocent young girl and what subsequenty happens to her as a single mother in an age when such was considered an outrrage and sin. Hard to believe nowadays that so many young women were forced into a life of rejection and destitution. That the child of such a situation should bear such rejection and carry a stigma not of their own doing is appalling, but sadly, was common. For those readers not familiar with the writing style this may seem over descriptive and long winded, however, this book takes the reader on a journey through life as it was. The descriptions of places, villages, rooms and journeys are beautiful and evocotive of an age gone by. Think about one's own ancestors and realise this is how they lived. Without giving away too much, this is a tragic tale well worth exploring.

I love the writings of Mrs Gaskell so I was surprised to discover that I had not read Ruth. Tracking down a copy was nigh on impossible until I found this and ordered it.When it arrived I discovered it to be an Amazon own publication. I think whoever was employed to produce it should be ashamed. The font size must be about 6 and it's something like a Times Roman font. The combination makes it nigh on impossible to read. I'm persevering because I'm curious and alternative versions are expensive ancient copies. What a shame Amazon. I think you missed a trick but I suppose at least you made it available.