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Summary
Summary
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by Ms. Magazine, USA Today Book Riot, The Rumpus, Library Journal, PureWow, The Every Girl, Parade and more.
"Forever and to the end. That's what they say instead of I love you."
When Ruby King's mother is found murdered in their home in Chicago's South Side, the police dismiss it as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But for Ruby, it's a devastating loss that leaves her on her own with her violent father. While she receives many condolences, her best friend, Layla, is the only one who understands how this puts Ruby in jeopardy.
Their closeness is tested when Layla's father, the pastor of their church, demands that Layla stay away. But what is the price for turning a blind eye? In a relentless quest to save Ruby, Layla uncovers the murky loyalties and dangerous secrets that have bound their families together for generations. Only by facing this legacy of trauma head-on will Ruby be able to break free.
An unforgettable debut novel, Saving Ruby King is a powerful testament that history doesn't determine the present and the bonds of friendship can forever shape the future.
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
West's ambitious, keenly observant debut follows two friends growing up on Chicago's South Side, where the cycle of domestic violence repeats over generations. When Ruby King's mother, Alice, is murdered, Ruby loses her protector, and her best friend, Layla Potter, works diligently to fill the role. West unfolds the map of their neighborhood and their families' connections in chapters alternating between the present and the 1960s, when Ruby's father, Lebanon, the child of his mother Sara's rape by her own father, is abused by her. Traumatized, Lebanon becomes abusive in turn on his own family. As a teenager, Lebanon's childhood friend Jackson, Layla's father, was responsible for another teenage boy's death, but Lebanon is imprisoned for manslaughter in his stead. Freed after five years, Lebanon starts blackmailing Jackson, now pastor of Calvary Hope Christian Church. (In a remarkably effective literary device, West has the church building itself "narrate" some of the chapters.) As Layla vows to rescue Ruby from Lebanon's rage and self-harm after Alice's murder--especially after Layla dreams of three mysterious matriarchs insisting "Go!"--plot twists lead to a climactic confrontation in Ruby's grandmother's Tennessee home. Despite some excessive melodrama and repetitive dialogue, West's tale of grace, redemption, and hope would translate handily to the screen. This should enjoy wide popularity with book groups. (June)
Kirkus Review
After Ruby King's mother, Alice, is murdered in their home on the South Side of Chicago, Layla, Ruby's best friend, tries to rescue her from despair. While looking for answers about her best friend's mother's death, 20-something Layla unravels a knot of secrets that has tangled her family with her friend's for generations. As young black women, Ruby and Layla confront enormous challenges, from racism and gentrification to their family's expectations. Layla's father, Jackson, serves as the pastor of their church, where Alice, Ruby's mother, spent most of her time. Everyone in the church community knew Ruby's father, Lebanon, abused Alice and suspects he might have killed her. While at odds, Jackson and Lebanon both rule their families as traditional patriarchs, and after Alice's violent death, Layla must defy her father's authority in her determination to help Ruby. Debut author West plays with multiple perspectives and timelines, making for a rich tale. Ruby, Layla, Jackson, and Lebanon are all compelling point-of-view characters, but the real star is the Calvary Hope Christian Church, which reveals some of the most startling moments. By endowing Calvary Hope with consciousness, West uses a fresh approach to covering not only several decades of family history, but also complex themes including the ways in which close communities can nourish and harm their members; how friendships and family ties can hold intimacy and distance; the way misunderstandings and trauma can pass down the generations; and the difference between a relationship with God and a church. The characters, language, and plot come together for a story full of hard truths, insight, and warmth. Every so often, the novel veers into melodrama, but overall it delivers a daring, dynamic story. A multilayered love letter to South Side Chicago's African American faith-based community. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
After finding her mother dead in their home on the Southside of Chicago, Ruby King is sustained by the loyalty of her best friend, Layla. Pastor's daughter Layla is determined to rescue Ruby from the hands of her abusive father. But unbeknownst to both young women, Ruby's troubles at home are a result of a twisted web of deceit and murder, inherited through both of their families. Ruby and Layla's devotion to each other serves as a beacon of hope. West delivers her debut with an honesty that jumps off the pages and into the laps of her readers. Telling Ruby's story from multiple points of view, West writes with a precision that makes the story sing, with clear language and poetic imagery. The city of Chicago plays an active backdrop, setting the tone of the characters' behavior. Gentrification, politicians, and crime plague the city's streets and eventually find their way through Ruby's church and onto her doorstep. Whether or not Ruby is truly saved in the end is left for readers to decide.
Library Journal Review
DEBUT When Ruby King's mother is killed in her home on Chicago's South Side, the lead suspect is her husband, Lebanon, who's known to be violent. Ruby flees, fearing that she'll be her father's next victim. Her best friend, Layla, is eager to find her, but Layla's father, Rev. Jackson Potter, refuses to let Layla go looking for Ruby. Layla longs to leave the church behind and move forward with her life, not as the pastor's daughter. This is a story of intrigue and heartbreaking family secrets from the past that tie together the King and Potter families. Debut author West presents the Calvary Hope Christian Church as a character, with its own chapters. Calvary speaks its wisdom and weighs in on its members that it holds close and dear, from the past to the present. This literary choice creates a deeper understanding of the novel's setting. VERDICT A fresh look into the church community of Chicago's South Side with a bold female perspective. Does the church offer sanctuary or bury harmful secrets within its stately walls? [See Prepub Alert, 12/2/19.]--Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC
