I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Catherine Adel West’s debut novel. It is an #ownvoices amazing book. At times I wanted to just devour it in one gulp, but at others I wanted to ponder the words longer to let them sink in. I highly recommend this novel.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, see disclosures for more detail.
About the Book:
When Ruby King’s mother is killed in her home in the south side of Chicago, it’s dismissed as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But everyone knows that Ruby’s father may be responsible, and now she is left alone with him. Her best friend Layla is the only person she can trust, but Layla’s father, the pastor of their church and Ruby’s father’s old friend, demands Layla to keep her distance. Told in moving alternating perspectives between Layla, Ruby, and their fathers, the novel reveals a rich and complicated history between the families, but shadowy secrets unfold from the perspective of the Calvary Hope Christian Church, the structure that holds the key to their dearest and darkest moments. A crucial pilgrimage through the racially divided landscape of Chicago, SAVING RUBY KING explores the ways in which history doesn’t determine the present and how the bonds of friendship can forever shape the future.
My Thoughts:
I gave this book 4.5/5 stars
This is a stunning debut novel. West’s words are both nuanced and relatable. There are so many sections that are timely to the events going on in today’s world with Black people and their relationship with the police. The fact that this book was written before the recent events involving George Floyd shine a spotlight on the fact that, while it may be a new fight for many people, this is nothing new for Black people. I highlighted so many passages that made me stop and ponder these lived experiences.
There are multiple points-of-view in this novel, one of them is the church building and the secrets the building holds for its inhabitants. Themes of family, friendship, and whether or not our pasts define us resonate throughout. Church and faith play an integral part of the story, some parts of which may be uncomfortable for people who put pastors and fellow church members up on a pedestal. This book reminds us that we are all human and a role in the church isn’t a pass for horrible behavior or ignoring horrible behavior. There are some difficult issues that come to light in this novel: domestic abuse, sexual and physical abuse of a child, and how families and even the church are complicit in perpetuating it by turning a blind eye or feeling helpless about what to do. Again, the themes are thought-provoking and very realistic.
Many feelings come up during the reading of this tale: compassion, anger, frustration, fear, and love. West’s poignant words made me care about characters on the page and root for Layla and Ruby to overcome the large obstacles in front of them. There’s a bit of a mystery to the story, but overall it is the story of relationships, both good and bad, intertwined and shaping us into who we will ultimately become.
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