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Saving Ruth: A Novel Paperback – May 1, 2012

by Zoe Fishman (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
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A wonderful coming-of-age novel from Zoe Fishman, author of Balancing Acts, Saving Ruth tells the story of a fish-out-of-water young Jewish woman, returning to her Alabama hometown after a semester at a “Yankee college,” only to discover that life—and she, herself—haven’t really changed in the ways she’d hoped. Southern fiction with a pungent twist, Saving Ruth is a wonderfully evocative, delightfully engaging tale that, nonetheless, seriously addresses provocative issues like anorexia, family dynamics, and the racial and ethnic tensions of the Deep South.
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    006205984X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0062059840
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When Ruth returns home to the South for the summer after her freshman year at college, a near tragedy pushes her to uncover family truths and take a good look at the woman she wants to become.

Growing up in Alabama, all Ruth Wasserman wanted was to be a blond Baptist cheerleader. But as a curly-haired Jew with a rampant sweet tooth and a smart mouth, this was an impossible dream. Not helping the situation was her older brother, David—a soccer star whose good looks, smarts, and popularity reigned at school and at home. College provided an escape route and Ruth took it.

Now home for the summer, she's back lifeguarding and coaching alongside David, and although the job is the same, nothing else is. She's a prisoner of her low self-esteem and unhealthy relationship with food, David is closed off and distant in a way he's never been before, and their parents are struggling with the reality of an empty nest. When a near drowning happens on their watch, a storm of repercussions forces Ruth and David to confront long-ignored truths about their town, their family, and themselves.

About the Author

Zoe Fishman is the 2020 Georgia Author of the Year. She is the bestselling author of five previous novels and several awards including Booklist’s “Top 10 Books of the Year” and an IndieNext Pick. 

She’s been featured on “City Lights” with Lois Reitzes, and in Publisher’s Weekly and The Atlanta Jewish Times among others. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Modern Loss.  

Zoe was the Director of The Decatur Writers Studio and a visiting writer at SCAD Atlanta. She lives in Decatur with her two sons.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (May 1, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 006205984X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062059840
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.68 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 145 ratings

About the author

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Zoe Fishman

Zoe Fishman

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Zoe Fishman is the 2020 Georgia Author of the Year. She is the bestselling author of five previous novels and several awards including Booklist’s “Top 10 Books of the Year” and an IndieNext Pick.

She’s been featured on “City Lights” with Lois Reitzes, and in Publisher’s Weekly and The Atlanta Jewish Times among others. Her essays have been published in The New York Times, The Atlanta Journal Constitution and Modern Loss.

Zoe was the Director of The Decatur Writers Studio and a visiting writer at SCAD Atlanta. She lives in Decatur with her two sons.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
145 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a quick and engaging read. They appreciate the character development, noting that the characters feel real.

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10 customers mention "Readability"8 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, describing it as a quick, engrossing beach read.

"Loved this book from the first page until the last !" Read more

"Not all books have to be a wow to be loved. This book drew me in and I read it in a day 1/2 and loved every minute of it...." Read more

"...These things bothered me while and after I read them. But I still enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing Ms. Fishman on her book tour." Read more

"THis book reminded me of "The Help" in the quality of its writing and characterizations. hHe problems of anorexia, racism, relationships,..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters feel authentic, with one customer specifically mentioning that they are college age.

"...it will appeal to the 20-30 something age group because the characters are college age...." Read more

"I truly loved this novel -- the characters were real, the voice so honest and raw I sometimes flinched, and the atmosphere of a small, Southern town..." Read more

"This book was an easy read. The characters and storyline were just okay...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Love to Paint
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written book and heart warming story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book from the first page until the last !
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  • mustbedancin
    4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful light and fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Not all books have to be a wow to be loved. This book drew me in and I read it in a day 1/2 and loved every minute of it. I still think of the characters and story line 2 weeks later like "I wonder what happens to Ruth and David". I just ordered her other book and expect to thourghly enjoy it. I am 57 years old.I hope my daughter who is 20 will read this for fun this summer. I think it will appeal to the 20-30 something age group because the characters are college age.I, as a parent of two college age kids related to the parents in this story like she was writing about my family.I think it is a very difficult thing to change the relationships you have with your kids when they come home from college. I am in the middle of the change in the relationship with my spouse and childern just like the book.
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  • DaMama
    3.0 out of 5 stars A little young and not-now, but a good read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    "Saving Ruth" is a good, quick read, but skewed a little young - it's about a 19-year-old home from college in a small Southern town. I recommend this book for girls, age 13-20.

    It's supposed to take place NOW (c. 2012 or maybe 2010?) but I just don't think the author has her finger on the pulse of today's 19- and 20-year olds. I think Ms. Fishman was mostly reminiscing about her own 19th summer, and tried to throw in a lot of references to today - some cell phones and texting, some MTV shows, but it mostly rang untrue. Today's 20-year-olds are different from 20-year-olds from when I was 20 (12 years ago!) or from when Ms. Fishman was 20 - they like their parents more, they use technology differently, they know more (it's ok to not like sex, although no graphic sex is depicted in the novel), there are different expectations - like why didn't these kids, who go to good colleges, get internships instead of coaching swimming for the summer? No mention of a bad economy, so.... no explanation was given.

    Also, I'm Jewish in the South, and I just felt like some of the situations about being a minority rang untrue, and went unexplained... we're left to assume that Ruth's dad is a lawyer but he's "from New York" and eats lunch at home - so what kind of lawyer is he? How did he get from New York to small-town Alabama? How far do they drive to their synagogue? And Ruth's brother, off in Atlanta at Mercer College, is at a Baptist school. That is is not addressed, even as a source of his discontent.

    These things bothered me while and after I read them. But I still enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing Ms. Fishman on her book tour.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Ann Mah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful novel, honest and true
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I truly loved this novel -- the characters were real, the voice so honest and raw I sometimes flinched, and the atmosphere of a small, Southern town in the height of summer engulfed me. This book felt deep and true -- and brave. I rooted for Ruth to succeed and wiped away a few tears along the way.
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  • CJCL
    4.0 out of 5 stars Detrimental family pressures
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This story was a sad commentary on today's society where parents inadvertently place pressure on their kids to be the best/skinniest/smartest/etc. I could relate to the pressures of living up to expectations others have placed on me in my life. And, it forced me to examine how my words and actions affect my children.
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  • Judith Blase
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great new talent from Atlanta
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    THis book reminded me of "The Help" in the quality of its writing and characterizations. hHe problems of anorexia, racism, relationships,
    and drugs set in a small Southern town were well integrated and it was a quick engrossing read. I didn't want it to stop. Bravo! I salute
    Ms FIshman at the start of a great career. More please.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Akincl
    3.0 out of 5 stars just okay
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book was an easy read. The characters and storyline were just okay. It's not a memorable read or a book I'd recommend to others, but it wasn't awful either.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • EverydayReader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, light read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Nice, light read...if you are looking for an easy beach read, this is enjoyable.
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