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Letters Can Tell Stories
Love, Ruthie follows a woman who receives a letter from her lifelong friend that leads her to reflect on the experiences that have brought her to where she is today. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
These days people often keep in touch through quick quips, or, worse, emojis. Letters can tell stories or ask for stories indicating an interest in another person that is real.
Ruthie wades through the memories of her life growing up and finding who she is. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
A technique I use is what I’ve named the sausage technique. Every sausage has a casing, and that casing can hold different fillings. In writing, the casing is an event that may once have held autobiographical material that the author has taken out and re-filled with fictional material. So, yes, for instance: I got my Ph.D. at Columbia University, and so know the campus well, but I never went to Barnard, and my experiences at Columbia are not anything like Ruthie’s experiences as an undergraduate student at Barnard.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’m interested in religious labels that people carry though they did not choose those labels. I like the writings of Jung, so the exploration of knowing what one projects and the awareness of a shadow come from an interest in his writings.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The novel I wrote after Love, Ruthie, is named Those Who Lived. It is complete and not complete, so I have gone back to it to add to it, and to revise some of it. I should be ready to show it to a potential publisher this spring.
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When Ruth gets Jane’s letter with this question about Wordsworth’s line, she decides to review what stood out in her childhood and ask herself if those times informed and shaped the woman she became. This process takes her weeks and traverses early family memories, her college years, a job in Washington, her first lover, and other experiences on her way to becoming her own woman. Her answer to Jane’s question is Love, Ruthie.
Love, Ruthie
In Love, Ruthie, author Bonnie MacDougall invites readers to the sun-dappled shores of Sebastian Bay, Florida, where Ruth Lucas, a woman in her thirties, embarks on a reflective journey through her past. Prompted by a poetic inquiry from her lifelong friend, Jane Meyer, in New York, the narrative unfurls the tapestry of Ruthie’s life, tracing her path from her late teens into her early thirties.
This coming-of-age tale weaves through the intricate patterns of Ruthie’s experiences, from navigating the challenges of college roommates and first loves to confronting the deeper currents of grief, career choices, religious considerations, and familial complexities. Throughout her story, Ruthie remains endearingly imperfect, a quality that renders her character both authentic and deeply relatable. Her friend Jane emerges as a steadfast presence, anchoring Ruth through her most tumultuous storms.
MacDougall’s narrative prowess shines as she delves into the flaws and foibles of her protagonist, presenting them not as detractions but as the very elements that draw the reader closer to Ruth. The story navigates through Ruth’s highs and lows, with her support system, particularly Jane and her family, providing a backdrop of unwavering support. The narrative is engaging and the themes of self-discovery and familial bonds resonate strongly. I feel the character of Jane, Ruth’s confidante, leaves the reader curious for a deeper exploration, perhaps hinting at the potential for a companion narrative from Jane’s perspective.
Love, Ruthie is a heartfelt exploration of the journey of growing up and finding one’s place in the world. It will likely appeal to those who appreciate young adult themes, the intricacies of self-discovery, and narratives rich with family dynamics. Bonnie MacDougall has crafted a world where the protagonist’s trials and triumphs reflect the universal quest for personal identity and connection.
Pages: 255 | ASIN : B0CQQ3XZGK
LITERARY TITAN 