Ruth Hall by Fanny Fern (Sara Payson Willis Parton) was originally published in 1855. It is the story of Ruth Ellet, a smart, pretty girl who lives in a stingy family. Ruth marries Harry Hall and the couple couldn’t be happier except for the presence of Harry’s parents.
Mrs. Hall never has a kind word to say and Dr. Hall, retired, is nothing but a curmudgeonly old man who wouldn’t sacrifice a penny if it meant saving a child from starving. How they produced a kind, easy-going son like Harry I can’t quite figure it out. When Ruth and Harry marry they live for a time with Mrs and Dr Hall until Harry’s business gets off the ground. What a relief when Ruth and Harry finally buy a home of their own in the country!
Ruth and Harry have a child and everything seems so idyllic in spite of Harry’s parents moving to a house just over the hill. Then tragedy strikes. Daisy gets what seems to be a cold. Dr. Hall tells Ruth that she worries too much, it is nothing. It turns out to be the croup and even as Daisy is on her deathbed Dr. Hall grumbles about being called out of his house so late at night. And when Daisy dies, of course it is all Ruth’s fault.
Ruth and Harry sell their home and move back to town with the in-laws, like a bad penny, following behind. Time goes by and Ruth has two more children, Nettie and Katy. Then Harry dies! Ruth is devastated. Because of some business issues, Ruth is left without any money. None of the family–either the Halls or the Ellets–want to spend a dime helping Ruth and her children. Ruth sinks quickly into poverty and the heartless families blame her for it. Ruth has to allow Katy to be taken away by the Halls who treat the girl very badly. Ruth and Nettie are reduced to a bread and milk diet.
This section of the book went on and on until I thought I couldn’t bear it anymore. And then, finally, Ruth decides she is going to earn a living writing. I was not convinced by the sudden change. Ruth, who had been almost constantly weeping and not entirely well, suddenly finds a backbone and the strength and energy not only to write but then to take her work around and suffer rejection after rejection before someone agrees to hire her for a paltry sum. Her articles become a great success. When she asks her employer for a small raise his response is, “just like a woman [...] give them the least foot-hold, and they will want the whole territory.” And Ruth doesn’t make a fuss.
She is working hard, writing for two newspapers, when in sweeps a knight in shining armor to rescue her. Mr. Walter pays Ruth enough money for her to live on, and becomes friend and financial advisor for the profits Ruth makes from a book of her articles. Their relationship is described as brother/sister, but I found it uncomfortably odd. Mr. Walter is not married and he takes the utmost interest in Ruth and the well being of her children. At times he treats Ruth rather like a child.
Ruth is supposed to be a heroic character. The book is based on Fanny Fern’s own life and was rather a sensation when it came out. But I didn’t find Ruth convincing. While she did find a way to earn a living she was only assertive when it cam to finding a job in the first place. After that, she pretty much accepted her situation until Mr. Walter came along and helped her out. The introduction to my edition asserts the book a classic but I have to disagree. It certainly has historical interest but beyond that I cannot say it has much to offer. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book but I can’t say that I loved it either. It falls into the so-so category for me.
Ruth Hall is up for discussion among the what the other Slaves thought of and join in or follow along with our discussion at MetaxuCafe.
What an excellent review! I felt like I was learning what the book was about, and why it was worth reading or not, and yet you didn’t give the story away. I mean, I know some of the plots and events, but the story itself is still waiting to be read. though, with your review, I don’t really want to!
I’m a little behind–I’m just to the part where Ruth’s father and in-laws are both trying to load her and the kids off on the other. What nasty people they are! Even to their own dying son. I hope to finish by the end of the week and join in the discussion soon. It’s an interesting read–I feel like reading the intro now, but I will wait until I’m finished!
Like Danielle, I’ve not quite finished it yet, but I definitely want to post and join in the discussion. Great review, Stefanie. It is indeed a 19th century weepie, but the sheer ghastliness of the in-laws redeems it a bit for me. They’re SO awful!
Susan, thank you! Unless you really like 19th century weepies as Litlove calls them, then it’s best to choose something else to read.
Danielle, be prepared, you thought the in-laws and Ruth’s family were mean before!
Litlove, the in-laws are terrible and they do make the book worthwhile. I think I liked Hyacinth best though.
Did this woman write anything else? I can see it being an interesting book for the historical information…I suspect I won’t try it, however, unless a very compelling reason comes along
It sounds a little like Little Women mixed with The Long Winter, but in reverse. Without the mean inlaws, of course.
Verbivore, oh yes, Fanny Fern wrote a lot. She was quite popular. Ruth Hall is autobiographical fiction. Fern wrote newspaper columns and books.
Daphne, ha! a wonderful description
I haven’t finished yet Stefanie but I’m up to the part where Harry has died. I wanted to scream at those parents of his! I still don’t understand why they’ve treated Ruth so shabbily, she’s not a “bad” person but to treat their son that way was incredible.
Hope to finish soon so I can go over to the discussion!
It sounds dreary! I hope she took literary license and that it wasn’t an entirely true depiction. Too depressing. Were women really that badly treated and did they have no choice but to endure it?