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Saving Ruby King: A Novel
Saving Ruby King: A Novel
Saving Ruby King: A Novel
Audiobook10 hours

Saving Ruby King: A Novel

Written by Catherine Adel West

Narrated by Kim Staunton, Imani Parks, Ron Butler and

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

()

About this audiobook

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2020 by Ms. Magazine, USA Today Book Riot, The Rumpus, Library Journal, PureWow, The Every Girl, Parade and more.

Forever and to the end. That’s what they say instead of I love you.”

When Ruby King’s mother is found murdered in their home in Chicago’s South Side, the police dismiss it as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But for Ruby, it’s a devastating loss that leaves her on her own with her violent father. While she receives many condolences, her best friend, Layla, is the only one who understands how this puts Ruby in jeopardy.

Their closeness is tested when Layla’s father, the pastor of their church, demands that Layla stay away. But what is the price for turning a blind eye? In a relentless quest to save Ruby, Layla uncovers the murky loyalties and dangerous secrets that have bound their families together for generations. Only by facing this legacy of trauma head-on will Ruby be able to break free.

An unforgettable debut novel, Saving Ruby King is a powerful testament that history doesn’t determine the present and the bonds of friendship can forever shape the future.

Editor's Note

An absorbing mystery…

Catherine Adel West’s timely debut is an absorbing mystery set in her own hometown, the predominantly Black South Side of Chicago. When Ruby King’s mother is murdered, police write it off as yet another violent death in a violent town, but Ruby’s best friend is convinced there’s more to the story. A gripping novel of race, family, and faith.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 16, 2020
ISBN9781488208751
Saving Ruby King: A Novel
Author

Catherine Adel West

Catherine Adel West was born and raised in Chicago, where she currently resides. She graduated with both her bachelor's and master's of science in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her work is published in Black Fox Literary Magazine, Five2One, and Better Than Starbucks, among many others. She is the author of Saving Ruby King and The Two Lives of Sara is her sophomore novel.

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Reviews for Saving Ruby King

Rating: 4.460176991150442 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

113 ratings6 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Catherine Adel West tells a deeply troubling, but unmistakeably human story of the lives of a Black community, several Black families, people struggling to live in spite of the cruel hands dealt to them by life and society through the people closest to them. Friendship. Doing the best you know to do. Survival. "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." -- James Baldwin

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent writing, vivid imagery, a captivating story. This is a must read!! A new literary star is born!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great story about the complexities of life. Things ain't always what they seem and the South Side of Chicago ain't no different.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wonderful full cast narration. A fantastic debut novel, full of complex characters with stories that were beautifully told. A book to read slowly and savour.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I enjoyed this story, as it illustrated how lies and secrets can consume families and close relationships. It showed how generational curses are created, continued and how truth and healing can break them.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book. I read the two lives of Sara first, but it still all made sense.