Rubyfruit Jungle

Locations
Call Number: Adult Book / Fiction / General / Brown, Rita Mae, Fiction / Brown, Rita
On Shelf At: Pittsfield Branch, Traverwood Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Brown, Rita Mae	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Brown, Rita Mae	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Brown, Rita Mae	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Brown, Rita	4-week checkout	Due 05-21-2024
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / General / Brown, Rita Mae	4-week checkout	Due 05-23-2024

Originally published in the United States by Daughters Publishing Co. in 1973, and in mass market paperback in the United States by Bantam Books in 1977 ; introduction copyright c2015 by American Artist, Inc.
A landmark coming-of-age novel that launched the career of one of this country's most distinctive voices. Rita Mae Brown tells the story of Molly Bolt, the adoptive daughter of a dirt-poor Southern couple who boldly forges her own path in America. With her startling beauty and crackling wit, Molly finds that women are drawn to her wherever she goes-- and she refuses to apologize for loving them back.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Summary / Annotation
Excerpt
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Not the best read submitted by Jen Chapin-Smith on August 20, 2012, 11:03am Some historians credit "Rubyfruit Jungle" with being the first humerous lesbian novel published in the US, although as with most historical "firsts" one can often find an earlier example (see "Beebo Brinker"). However, it is important to note that "Rubyfruit" is one of the first novels to break the "Well of Lonliness" pattern of ending lesbian romance novels with a tragedy.
Rita Mae Brown's prose have never impressed me. She tries to be funny but mostly her jokes consist of practical jokes at someone's expense. Is this really the best tactic for someone who, as a lesbian, herself wants to not have others pick on her?
The main character and the author are generally anti-romance and pro-nonmonogamy. The main character blames her mother for feeling sad when she finds out her husband is cheating on her. The novel also paints an unrealistic picture about escaping povery and homelessness, and getting a job and apartment in New York City.
If you are interested in LGBT history, read this novel just because it has its place in that history. Otherwise, skip it.

Landmark book submitted by chowcy on August 12, 2019, 7:58am This is a landmark book in LGBTQ history. The reader is taken through a journey through the eyes of a strong-willed woman, who yields to nobody and who questions gender roles, societal expectations of monogamy, sexuality, and marriage. It is almost cathartic to be in the mind of someone who knows who she is and refuses to not be herself. An easy and enjoyable read

Easy Read submitted by khrobinson on July 10, 2023, 12:08pm Reading the e-book version, I was surprised at how quickly I got to the end of the book. I was curious to read this book, given it’s status in American LGBTQ+ history. The story was ok, but the main character’s clarity about who she is and how she would interact with the world have left a powerful impression.