Are you sympathetic towards Ruth?

Discuss the October 2017 Book of the Month, Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon.

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Jennifer Allsbrook
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Re: Are you sympathetic towards Ruth?

Post by Jennifer Allsbrook »

I did not feel sympathy towards Ruth. She should have been aware of the mistreatment of her daughter and Grand-daughter.
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Post by kelvinnduhiu »

yes..she has encountered very many ups and downs in her relationship yet she has kept on being firm

-- 31 Oct 2017, 02:55 --

yes
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Post by Neharajoria »

A silent spectator is as bad as an accomplice. To me Ruth was an accomplice in Flinch's abuse, so I feel no sympathy for her, in fact it's possible that in real life people like Ruth are the cause of abusers repeating their actions.
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Post by Chelsy Scherba »

This is another example of realistic portrayal of characters. Ruth married a child molester and willed herself to believe everything was fine in order to avoid guilt over her poor choices. In the end, its tragic and she's not entirely at fault. Abusers know how to exploit the vulnerabilities of their victims.
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Post by Bancroft »

we learn bits and pieces about Ruth and the life her daughter and granddaughter had with her. We even learn some things like bravery aand courage
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Post by CNWaweru »

I am not sympathetic towards Ruth. I feel she could have tried to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter and then she would have understood what they were going through.
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Post by mamalui »

I am not at all sympathetic towards Ruth in regard to the way she handled the issue of Sarah. I think she even helped to damage the girl further by making her feel unwanted. And regarding the abuse as a parent she should paid more attention to what goes on under her roof.
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Post by onixpam »

I do not feel any sympathy with Ruth, It is not possible that something like this could be hidden for a long time, it shows the lack of communication and a relationship with her daughter, and makes me wonder if she known, or at least suspected, about what was happening.
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Post by dtb »

I don't feel much sympathy for Ruth because her behavior was awful, but I don't hold her accountable for her husband's abusive behavior. I just learned from the author interview that there will be more Strong Heart books so maybe we will learn more about what she did or did not know and when she knew it.
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Post by Radhika_puri »

I think she was madly in love with her husband that she never cared much about the behaviour of her daughter to granddaughter maybe today also she wouldn't have to come to know about her husband's true identity if it was not for Sarah. I don't feel sympathetic about her but felt bad that she was unable to see the truth.
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Post by Readinggrl18 »

I do not feel sympathy towards her at all. She never questioned why her daughter ran away. I would think that if I experienced what she went through with her husband, I would have at least considered the possibility that he had something to do with her daughter leaving. When her granddaughter arrives, she barely gives her a chance before pawning her off on her ex-husband. Then when Tom makes some mistakes, she takes Sarah back. She has no redeeming qualities in this book.
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Post by Ebby Brown »

I sympathise with her for what Flinch is doing to her, though she also deserves it for leaving a good man like Tom.
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Post by Yvonne Monique »

As we were not given much in-depth information about Ruth, we can't really judge her actions or motivations. I didn't feel much sympathy for her but maybe, if I would hear her side of the story, this would change.
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Post by Sarah Schmidt »

It's hard for me to dredge up sympathy for anyone that does an about-face on their decisions, regardless of the circumstances. I was already on the side of not really liking her from the time she left Sarah to Tom. I don't think it's a case of her getting what she deserves so much as just being a victim to life's hands, like so many people are.
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Post by Leonie Vermaak »

Nope not at all! She as a mother and grandmother had to be more observed towards them. If she was a good mother I feel that she would've notice something wrong and care enough to try and find out what, instead of allowing her daughter run away. I'm a strong believer that life is about choices and whatever choice you make you have to live with the consequences. You can't play the victim afterwards.
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