Ruth Hilton is an orphaned young seamstress who catches the eye of a gentleman, Henry Bellingham, who is captivated by her simplicity and beauty. When she loses her job and home, he offers her comfort and shelter, only to cruelly desert her soon after. Nearly dead with grief and shame, Ruth is offered the chance of a new life among people who give her love and respect, even though they are at first unaware of her secret - an illegitimate child. When Henry enters her life again, however, Ruth must make the impossible choice between social acceptance and personal pride. In writing Ruth, Elizabeth Gaskell daringly confronted prevailing views about sin and illegitimacy with her compassionate and honest portrait of a 'fallen woman'.
Ruth
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"A generally good teaching edition at a reasonable price."--Christopher C. Dahl, University of Michigan, Dearborn
"Essential that this remain in print for Victorian culture studies."--Linda Shires, Syracuse University
"I'm happy that you have made Ruth affordable for classroom use. Ruth illuminates many of the conflicts over 'the fallen woman' as Christian martyr or feminist hero seen in more famous Victorian novels such as Tess and The Scarlet Letter. Your edition is well-edited and readably printed."--Dr. Jeanette Shumaker, San Diego State University (Imperial Valley Branch)
"OUP is the only publisher of this in paperback. It's a significant book for any Victorian literature course and particularly for one on Victorian women."--Eleanor McNees, University of Denver
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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¿She had no penitence, no consciousness of error or offence; no knowledge of any one circumstance but that he was gone.¿
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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There is an assize-town in one of the eastern counties which was much distinguished by the Tudor sovereigns, and, in consequence of their favour and protection, attained a degree of importance that surprises the modern traveller. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
There is an assize-town in one of the eastern counties which was much distinguished by the Tudor sovereigns, and, in consequence of their favour and protection, attained a degree of importance that surprises the modern traveller. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's a shame that my review is the first one. Ruth is a classic, a must-read. Mrs. Gaskell deals in her novel with very serious problem of unmarried motherhood and double standards of judging men and women behavior. Why a wealthy young man who seduced and deserted a poor motherless girl is not to be blamed and not to pay for his guilt? And why a girl who has been too young, too innocent and too ignorant in sexual affairs is to suffer and to be an outcast in society? The heroine leads a virtuous life and does a lot of good after her so-called fall. Nevertheless the end of the book is tragic... Some critics find inconsistencies and exaggerations in the story. May be they are right. The author couldn't always choose the best way of presenting the heroine and circumstances. (Well, Hardy's more famous story of Tess of the DÚrbervilles is not also without faults.) Just imagine difficulties of writing of such book in Victorian society. Innocent as it is, Ruth was a scandal and was considered to be an improper reading for young people. Nowadays I would recommend the novel to any reader. It is interesting, intriguing, full of poetical nature descriptions and typical rural characters, the problem is sharp and up-to-day. Modern girls are neither naive nor ignorant. However... are they really wise in love affaires? Aren't they in danger of becoming voluntary victims of charming but spoiled young men? Read the book and judge for yourself.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I came to this novel having just read North and South. As with North and South it takes time for Elizabeth Gaskell to set the scene and develop the central characters. But it is worth sticking with. The last 100 pages will take you on an emotional roller coaster. The central character's inherent goodness and selflessness only serves to highlight the hypocracy of those who claim to be the moral guardians of society. The central character feels so real and you cannot fail to be deeply affected by reading this novel.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By T. Wasser
Format:Paperback
This moral tale is told well and truly. There are the usual Victorian coincidences to move the plot along, although none that seem forced or unlikely. The backdrop of the tension between Anglicans and Dissenters, Whigs and Tories, rich and poor, show the tribalism that often causes misunderstanding and conflict, and makes humans treat individuals poorly in order to be admired by, or to further the perceived interests of, some group. The story is remarkable in that none of the characters is completely good or completely bad. Even the characterizations of minor characters hint at a full humanity. The author's motif that individual character and circumstances are so interwoven in determining what kind of person will result; and that even an admirable characteristic may be the cause of human flaw if it is nurtured in the wrong circumstances. For example, Ruth's pliable nature results in an admirable ability to learn her duty when she lives with the good influence of the Bensons, where that same pliancy had earlier caused her downfall by the seducing Bellingham. Interestingly enough, it is Jemima who is able to recognize the truth that changed circumstances could have resulted in a changed character, in regard to Ruth, and also in regard to herself. Jemima is able to see the good in Ruth that contrasts so much with her outward sins, as well as her own inward evil despite her outward virtue.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ruth
Many books are televised and this should certainly be considered as a spectacular drama for some time in the future.
Published 14 days ago by Unknown
2.0 out of 5 stars
Preachy
This book reminded me very much of a Thomas Hardy novel. The young heroine was led astray by an older man of the world, and then spent the entire rest of her life trying to make... Read more
Published 17 days ago by L. Barlow
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read for any era
Easy read, good and interesting storyline. Gaskell urges a sympathetic reader to Ruth's character and issues. Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Sykes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic romance
An old fashioned book with very long descriptions which are not now the fashion for modern editors so we are unused to reading them. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Clare Urry
3.0 out of 5 stars
holiday
I was surprised that i had not read this book before
so will be looking forward to read it on my kindle
so will be looking forward to read it on my kindle
Published 3 months ago by peacock
5.0 out of 5 stars
I can't believe I haven't read this before!
I was given a Kindle for Christmas and have been putting classic books onto it. I have read some on Elizabeth Gaskell's work before, but not this one. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Holiday Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
!9th century gem
For a glimpse into the lives of ordinary, flawed and decent nineteenth century working people, and its insight into the hypocrisy of the contemporary attitude to women and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. M. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ruth by Elizabeth gaskell
An intelligent, though provoking and well written book. A sad and humbling tale that has you gripped to the end.
Published 4 months ago by Hayley Walsh
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ruth review
A sad story of great dignity, courage which reflected the opinions of society of that time.
A very good read
A very good read
Published 4 months ago by Becci 1945
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific Read
This really is a good book and I thoroughly enjoyed it - although written many years ago it tends to be a big slow - however a great story full of emotion and lots of hardship -... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mal
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