Ruth

By Elizabeth Gaskell

Book Overview

Ruth is a young orphaned girl who works in a sweatshop. Mrs. Mason, Ruth's boss, runs the sweatshop in a respectable manner, earning a sterling reputation among her employees and society. However, the comfort and acclaim of Ruth's job is threatened when she attends a ball to repair any dresses that get torn during dancing. There, she meets an aristocratic man named Henry Bellingham, who is infamous for his immoral treatment of women and frivolous spending. Ruth, however, is blinded by his charm, and after they have another chance encounter, befriends the man. When they are spotted together, Ruth's reputation is at stake as rumors start to fly. Worried about the gossip harming her sweatshop Mrs. Mason fires Ruth, leaving her with nowhere to go. With no other viable options, Ruth accepts Henry's invitation to go to London. Now considered a fallen woman, Ruth's reputation seems to be in a state beyond repair, though, while she stays with Henry, she is protected by his privilege. Held to lower standards by society, Henry is slightly looked down on, but his wealth and gender protects him from actual consequence. Perhaps that is why he finds it so easy and acceptable to leave Ruth, stranding her in Wales with a small allowance and tarnished reputation. Hopeless and pregnant, Ruth slips into a deep despair. It is only at the mercy of a kind local family, the Benson's, that Ruth is able to continue living. With their help, Ruth creates a new alias and backstory to live under, and is able to get a job and start to rebuild her social status. However, when Henry makes a surprise return, and rumors start to grow once again, Ruth must overcome illness and social disgrace to provide a better life for her son, and for herself.

With strong characterization and themes of morality, gender, and sexuality in Victorian society, Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell provides a compelling glimpse into the hypocrisies of social expectations while depicting a moving narrative that captures both the audience's mind and heart.

This edition of Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell is now presented in an easy-to-read font and features a striking new cover design. With these accommodations, modern audiences are provided a lavish and accessible reading experience.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513205552
• ISBN13: 9781513205557
• Release Date: July 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Elizabeth Gaskell hasn't failed me yet.

Beautifully written novel. One of my favorites. Is it a slow read? Yes. But not obnoxiously slow. Just slow enough so that you can savor it. Wasn't too impressed with this edition though. Quite bulky and low quality.

Ruth

As usual Elizabeth Gaskell highlights for us issues of the day and the problems they produce. These are presented to us in a very good read..I will look for other books by this author

Better than any modern novel!

I picked up "Ruth" at a used book store looking for a good book to read on my vacation. Once I started, it was hard to put down! I finished the last chapters while waiting in a hot parked car for my husband - I was so engaged in the book, I didn't even notice I'd been there for a couple hours! By the time my hubby got back to the car, I was still drying my eyes from all the tears shed, and thinking that I want to name my first child Ruth! I admire Gaskell for taking on the social and religious condemnation of single mothers - and for creating a character that so successfully redeemed herself of sin! I loved the theological questions raised by the characters regarding forgiveness and acceptance. And I loved Ruth's determination, the love and support she received from her adopted family, and the faith that she maintained despite pain and rejection from the community around her. If you like Austin, Dickens, Burney, etc. you will enjoy this book!

Quiet Brilliance

Elizabeth Gaskell is often referred to as the forgotten classic author and "Ruth" is a prime introduction into this obviously complex and passionate woman. "Ruth" is a truly brilliant novel dealing with the issue of a fallen woman due to an illicit affair and subsequent birth of a bastard child. This, due to the societal assumptions of morality and righteousness, lead the main character into a series of deceptions and tribulations in an attempt at redemption. Gaskell's eloquent prose engrosses the reader into the lives of the multiple characters and as it is in three volumes, much time is spent developing each individual. This allows for a true feeling and understanding of the motives and meanings behind every action. The character of Ruth is obviously the most important and Gaskell allows her to develop into an almost Christ-like figure in her beliefs, faith and actions. "Ruth" is a novel that tackles incredibly sensitive and deep subject matter and reaffirms ones belief in a higher power. This is a novel that should be introduced back into the mainstream to achieve the stature that it deserves as a classic of literature.