A review by rcsreads
Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell

emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ruth was at times a little bit too pious for my tastes but I suppose she had to be super good to highlight the hypocrisy of societies treatment of "fallen women".
We all learned not to be judgy, lest our sons grow up to commit fraud. And while the ending was Old Curiosity Shop levels of saccharine it did make me have a good cry. Not Gaskell's best but still well worth the time.