Ruby

By Francesca Lia Block

Book Overview

"[A] mesmerizing alchemy of fairy-tale fantasy and Hollywood glitz. . . about an L.A. nanny who uses magic to land the hunk of her dreams." --People

From the beloved author of Necklace of Kisses comes a modern-day fairy tale of a willful and intuitive heroine and a world of shocking realism and transcendent magic

Francesca Lia Block, with co-writer Carmen Staton, introduces readers to Ruby, a Midwestern girl named for the jewel that is believed to ward off evil spirits. Ruby's special gift is a sixth sense that makes her at one with nature and gives her the ability to know her own destiny.

After growing up in an abusive family, Ruby escapes to Los Angeles and learns of her soulmate -- Orion -- a British actor. She travels to England, where she works at a potions and herbs shop, and through a series of coincidental circumstances, ends up nursing Orion back to health without confessing that she has been on a quest to find him all along. But just when she thinks her dream is becoming a reality, Ruby is stopped in her tracks by the violent demons of her past. Only by facing the darkness together can she and Orion finally fulfill their destiny.

In Ruby, readers will find a story about the power of our minds to overcome the past and ultimately change the course of our lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060840587
• ISBN13: 9780060840587
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Classic Francesca

After a slew of unfortunate events wherein I read several disappointing books, I was inexplicably delighted to return to Francesca Lia Block's wonderful world, where pain and suffering can still be overcome by magic and love. More often than not, I'll read one book by an author and love it, only to be disappointed with the author's other work. This is not the case with Block. I love everything she's written, and Ruby is no exception. Some of the less positive reviewers felt that Ruby was different from Block's other work, and I agree with that to an extent. It seems more "grown up" than some of her earlier books, but that's ok, because I'm more grown up too. I first read "I was a Teenage Fairy" about ten years ago, so I enjoy the progression Block is making with her work. That said, I can understand how someone just discovering her Young Adult work wouldn't feel as strongly about Ruby. We should note (I didn't notice anyone else's reviews saying this) that this book was a co-project between Block and Carmen Staton, so that could account for some of the differences. Anyway. I read this book in one day and already I'd like to read it again. Block has a way of describing seemingly normal things, like food, shops and forests, in a way that makes me feel completely intoxicated. I don't know how she does it; it's something I with I could do. I love that Ruby decides at three years old that she isn't going to let her abusive father win. There are a lot of novels that deal with abuse, that have heroines who don't fight back (obviously, this is realistic-many victims have no idea how to fight back or feel they can't) but I think this type of heroine is incredibly important. People suffering similar situations might benefit from seeing a survivor of abuse stand up to her abuser, and find a way to transcend her past. Ruby was a wonderful read that affected me on a deep level, more so even than Block's other books. I would highly recommend it.

This book is such a "gem"!

Ruby is a wonderful little book that is quirky, mystical, but most of all, inspiring. The main character, Ruby, grows up in the Midwest in a family filled with secrets and lies. But her resilience and strength resounds throughout the book. She goes to England on a quest to find her soul mate--the man who will touch her inner being. I found this book to be beautifully written and touching. I think everyone that has inner demons should read it! I think everyone can relate to Ruby on some level and learn from her.'

Loved ambiguity -- even about what is real and what is imagined

I love this book. The ambiguity -- even about what is real and what is imagined -- is very engrossing and satisfying (not like a game that's designed by someone who knows more than you about the story like with some books). Empowering is so overused, but this book is truely empowering. It's like the main character, Ruby, is nurturing you, the reader. Some paragraphs are so simple and profound I had to read them again. And, I continued thinking about the narrators' wisdom the next day. I make it sound so serious, but actually this book is very entertaining and even sexy in places. Maybe I'm not the target audience for this book (I'm 40), but the journey it took me on allowed me to be in my own teen/ young adult mind/ emotions -- in a good way, since I also have my 40-year old self to look on. So fun!!

definately a jewel

I love Francesca Lia Block. To date I own almost everything shes written. She has such a colorful language, and imagination. She truely brings you into the book as it youre really just a fly on the wall, but seeing it all happen for yourself instead of reading a story. This book, unlike so many of her others dosent take place in Los Angeles, but she apparently still has the power to make any city magic.

Another beautifully-written and magical book from Block

What a magical, mystical read! Like all of Block's other books, this modern fairy tale combines harsh reality with transcendent beauty to create an uplifting and inspiring read. The descriptions and places in the book helped transport me fully into Ruby's world, and the magical people and happenings kept me thinking about the book weeks after I closed it. If you have liked Block's other work, you will love this. This book has the magic and untraditional romance of her Weetzie Bat books, and was wonderful to fall into at the end of the day.