White Rabbit

This was a wonderful story of a women during her last day on earth. Thinking back on her past, and dealing with present day life. I was constantly wondering what this spunky little woman would do next. I absolutely LOVED it!

White Rabbit by Kate PhillipsWHITE RABBIT was Kate Phillip's first novel, and for a first novel she did a very good job. This book is a day in the life of Ruth Caster Armstrong Hubble, an 80-something old woman who we find is obsessive, inflexible, and treats her poor husband like dirt. The novel is plotted out to the minute, giving the reader a clear vision of what her daily life was all about. During this day in the life of poor Ruth, we slowly learn about her life story. Her love of her life, Hale Armstrong, died decades ago, but she still held a torch for this man that taught her what love was all about. And, despite his death, he still owned her heart. There didn't seem to be any love left for poor Henry, except she does love her dear grand daughter Karen, who is going through some marital troubles of her own.Because of the minute by minute telling of this day, we see every little detail that she goes through, including bladder control problems, her irate attitude towards her husband Henry, every little thought process, even her daily ritual of throwing out the trash (and it goes into great detail). At the same time, she starts to flashback to younger days, and we slowly learn about why she became the woman she ended out to be. Why did she marry Henry, for goodness sakes? When did Hale die? Were there other men in her life? What type of woman was she, in her prime?As I read the novel, I found that little by little, Ruth's forgotten past was slowly revealed, and so by the time I got to the very last page, it was another AHA moment for me. I felt it to be a very sad revelation of a life that had many choices, but because of the choices she did make along the way, it shaped her into the pessimistic old lady she was today. I found this novel to be a very fast read. Ruth Caster had a very fascinating life, which was hard to believe given the type of old woman she became. I felt that a book like this makes one reflect on ones own life, and makes one note more carefully the important choices one can make in a lifetime.

I have never in my life (and I read a lot) read a novel that so perfectly balances real life hardships with real life humor. Phillips does not sugar coat her characters, she asserts them boldly--much to her credit--Hurrah! I guarantee that if you read this book you will laugh while a tear wells up in the corner of your eye. Remarkable.

Kate Phillips has masterpieced the craft of novel writing in this debut. An excellent story led by a heroine that is hard to find in mainstrean literature. I found myself laughing out loud at the humor and characters so brilliantly created by Phillips. A book that will make the reader laugh and cry with a surprising twist at the end. I'm looking forward to reading more from Kate Phillips in the future.

Truly amazing insights are revealed in this stunning first novel. A funny-sad-quirky novel that lets all of us experience what it is like to be older, as well as giving us a meaningful glimpse into the soul of someone that we might not ordinarily take the time to study.