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Thaw
Ruth is 32-years-old & doesn't know if she wants to be 33. Her ordered, lonely life as a microbiologist is starved of pleasure & devoid of meaning. She decides to give herself three months to decide whether or not to end her life, & we read her daily diary as she struggles to make sense of her past & grapples with the pain of the present.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 21, 2017
I loved and hated the ending of this book in pretty much equal measures.
June 1, 2010
Currently reading the online/blog version of "Thaw"--it is amazing and such a clever way for the author to make this novel accessible to everyone. GREAT format! About a week to go...
This review refers to the online version at read-thaw.blogspot.com.
I LOVED Thaw. I've never read a novel online. I'm an old-fashioned girl who likes to hold a book made of paper, carry it around with me.
Thaw changed all that. I owe it mostly due to Fiona Robyn's brilliant style for this novel--in diary form, one post on Blogspot for each chapter of the main character's diary--Ruth. Ruth is 32 and has given herself 3 months to decide if she wants to continue living. The story is told through her voice, one that is hurting but open, blunt, honest.
Over the course of the months I felt like Ruth was a real person, again I credit the format.
While there is mature content, I felt confident enough to share it with my 15 yr old. There are lessons to be learned. I learned, I listened, and I felt connected. I can't ask for more from a novel that moves me to tears and not out of sentimentality.
The only glitch I will note is that sometimes Blogger didn't have the dates in a uniform order. At times you could read top to bottom, others bottom to top (typical for Blogs).
I look forward to reading more from Robyn. I will truly miss reading about Ruth every day.
This review refers to the online version at read-thaw.blogspot.com.
I LOVED Thaw. I've never read a novel online. I'm an old-fashioned girl who likes to hold a book made of paper, carry it around with me.
Thaw changed all that. I owe it mostly due to Fiona Robyn's brilliant style for this novel--in diary form, one post on Blogspot for each chapter of the main character's diary--Ruth. Ruth is 32 and has given herself 3 months to decide if she wants to continue living. The story is told through her voice, one that is hurting but open, blunt, honest.
Over the course of the months I felt like Ruth was a real person, again I credit the format.
While there is mature content, I felt confident enough to share it with my 15 yr old. There are lessons to be learned. I learned, I listened, and I felt connected. I can't ask for more from a novel that moves me to tears and not out of sentimentality.
The only glitch I will note is that sometimes Blogger didn't have the dates in a uniform order. At times you could read top to bottom, others bottom to top (typical for Blogs).
I look forward to reading more from Robyn. I will truly miss reading about Ruth every day.
April 2, 2012
Stars: 5.0
British author Fiona Robyn has written a visceral, poignant, and often agonizing story of a young woman named Ruth White who at 32-years-of-age doesn’t know whether she wants to be 33. Her small life is unfulfilling, seemingly void of love or meaning, and the death of her mother when she was a young girl haunts her still.
Her relationships are strained and awkward and her self-esteem is almost non-existent, even though she is well-educated and works as a microbiologist. Ruth is very good about saving her money and compulsive about keeping a tidy flat, in which she harbors her deep, dark secrets. Ruth has decided to give herself three months in which to make up her mind about whether she will commit suicide. In her daily diary entries we unravel the mystery of her past, bear witness to her present, and ultimately root for her future.
Robyn shares Ruth’s tale in a first person narrative of magnificent prose. In a very clever form of self-marketing, she created a blog for the book that was launched on March 1, 2010 and posted an entry every day for 3 months. She also used Facebook to spread the word and created a remarkable reading event for those of us willing to take the ride with her. She is an excellent, courageous writer who has created one of the most honest and truthful characters I have ever come across. I care about Ruth more than I’ve cared for any fictional character in a very long time. She is embedded in my consciousness. Fiona Robyn has written something painfully beautiful.
She has also written about depression with much clarity and compassion. I fell in love with Ruth and found myself hoping for her happiness and wanting her relationship with Red, the Russian artist who paints her portrait, to blossom into a love she could find redemption within.
In Thaw we meet Ruth’s father and his second wife, Julie, her aunt Abbie, her equally depressed co-worker Mary, and her friends Zoë and Sara and each character is written with subtle nuance.
"I spoke to Dad today. I thought I ought to call him to keep things moving after seeing him last week. It was a difficult conversation. At least before, I was able to talk to him about surface things and he’d let me… Now he keeps asking me silly questions like, ‘How do you really feel about Julie?’ or, ‘Tell me the truth about what it’s like to work at the hospital.’ I kept taking the conversation back to where it should have been. Then out of the blue, he said that I should look after my own money if I want to. I said, ‘No, I want you to,’ and he said, ‘Really? You’re sure?’ with a warm glow in his voice. I did want to look after it myself. But it was an important transaction between us, that he did it and that I was grateful. Like when a friend is known for making good soup, and everyone always says, ‘Good old Pete and his amazing soup.’ And the soup is good but not really amazing. But Pete likes to mention it himself every so often, and his friends really do care about him, soup or no soup, so the soup becomes the symbol. There’s a place for that. We don’t have to tell the truth all of the time."
I knew someone who committed suicide and I know the pain that her decision caused for her loved ones. She hung herself and left a note. She’d done all the research so she would know how to do it effectively and on the last few days of her life seemed to be more calm and happy than she had been for a long time. She’d already made peace with her decision and she knew she wouldn’t have to endure the pain anymore.
It really does take more courage to live than it does to die. If Ruth goes through with it, I’m going to be heartbroken, I must say. But then again, this is a heartbreaking story. I’ve never witnessed pain being written about in such an exquisite way.
There are only a couple of journal entries left on Fiona’s/Ruth’s blog and I don’t know how it’s going to end yet but I decided to post my review now anyway. I’m praying for a happy ending even though that I know that in real life, things don’t always turn out that way.
Fiona Robyn has a fan in me, for life.
British author Fiona Robyn has written a visceral, poignant, and often agonizing story of a young woman named Ruth White who at 32-years-of-age doesn’t know whether she wants to be 33. Her small life is unfulfilling, seemingly void of love or meaning, and the death of her mother when she was a young girl haunts her still.
Her relationships are strained and awkward and her self-esteem is almost non-existent, even though she is well-educated and works as a microbiologist. Ruth is very good about saving her money and compulsive about keeping a tidy flat, in which she harbors her deep, dark secrets. Ruth has decided to give herself three months in which to make up her mind about whether she will commit suicide. In her daily diary entries we unravel the mystery of her past, bear witness to her present, and ultimately root for her future.
Robyn shares Ruth’s tale in a first person narrative of magnificent prose. In a very clever form of self-marketing, she created a blog for the book that was launched on March 1, 2010 and posted an entry every day for 3 months. She also used Facebook to spread the word and created a remarkable reading event for those of us willing to take the ride with her. She is an excellent, courageous writer who has created one of the most honest and truthful characters I have ever come across. I care about Ruth more than I’ve cared for any fictional character in a very long time. She is embedded in my consciousness. Fiona Robyn has written something painfully beautiful.
She has also written about depression with much clarity and compassion. I fell in love with Ruth and found myself hoping for her happiness and wanting her relationship with Red, the Russian artist who paints her portrait, to blossom into a love she could find redemption within.
In Thaw we meet Ruth’s father and his second wife, Julie, her aunt Abbie, her equally depressed co-worker Mary, and her friends Zoë and Sara and each character is written with subtle nuance.
"I spoke to Dad today. I thought I ought to call him to keep things moving after seeing him last week. It was a difficult conversation. At least before, I was able to talk to him about surface things and he’d let me… Now he keeps asking me silly questions like, ‘How do you really feel about Julie?’ or, ‘Tell me the truth about what it’s like to work at the hospital.’ I kept taking the conversation back to where it should have been. Then out of the blue, he said that I should look after my own money if I want to. I said, ‘No, I want you to,’ and he said, ‘Really? You’re sure?’ with a warm glow in his voice. I did want to look after it myself. But it was an important transaction between us, that he did it and that I was grateful. Like when a friend is known for making good soup, and everyone always says, ‘Good old Pete and his amazing soup.’ And the soup is good but not really amazing. But Pete likes to mention it himself every so often, and his friends really do care about him, soup or no soup, so the soup becomes the symbol. There’s a place for that. We don’t have to tell the truth all of the time."
I knew someone who committed suicide and I know the pain that her decision caused for her loved ones. She hung herself and left a note. She’d done all the research so she would know how to do it effectively and on the last few days of her life seemed to be more calm and happy than she had been for a long time. She’d already made peace with her decision and she knew she wouldn’t have to endure the pain anymore.
It really does take more courage to live than it does to die. If Ruth goes through with it, I’m going to be heartbroken, I must say. But then again, this is a heartbreaking story. I’ve never witnessed pain being written about in such an exquisite way.
There are only a couple of journal entries left on Fiona’s/Ruth’s blog and I don’t know how it’s going to end yet but I decided to post my review now anyway. I’m praying for a happy ending even though that I know that in real life, things don’t always turn out that way.
Fiona Robyn has a fan in me, for life.
August 17, 2010
Lots of great conflict in tone and story context that keeps you guessing the entire time. The ending is perfect as well leaving you perplexed yet satisfied -- if that is at all possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2017
Originally, I gave a 3-star rating for the book, but I changed my mind and gave it two. Why though?
WARNING, CONTAINED SPOILER BELOW!
Fiona Robyn's (or in Goodread, she's better know as Satya Robyn) writing is beautiful and immaculate. I love how she plays with words, her sentences flow perfectly. She is a master in telling stories, and know how to reach her readers' heart. I fall in love with her writings from the first page, boy, I was hooked!
BUT, the big but here is the main character in this story. Her overall personality. The tone of this book. It is so, so, SO DEPRESSING, I could not force myself to finish it. I hate Ruth and her thinking. I hate all her actions. I hate how selfish she is with other people who truly cares for her.
And the ending, God! How easy it is for Ruth to change her mind at the very last minute. I know this is a happy ending, but how can she changed her mind that easily? She was so depressed and sad, and was so sure and adamant about ending her life. Yet, it only took just one polaroid of her portrait to change her mind out of suicide.
I was like, ehhh... For the 290++ pages I believed through and through that Ruth would definitely end her life but at the final 3 pages, she did not carry on with her initial plan. Just the final 3 pages, and not because she was touched by the love she received from others or she comes to care for others, NOPE. Just because she looked at her portrait, then she saw a fire burning in her eyes. Like whatttt??? That's it???
I end up frustrated with the book, and feel a little bit of depressed. Seriously, getting to know Ruth had that effects on you. She's so selfish, she's self-centered, she's everything she said she's not and constantly played as victim that the world is not fair to her. Wake up, wake up Ruthie, THE WORLD IS NEVER FAIR TO ANYONE BUT WE SUCKED IT UP AND LIVE WITH IT!
As you get to know Ruth, you'll also realized that she had NONE of the major losses or failure in life to make her so f**king depressed and miserable. Okay, I got it that her mum passed away when she was 14 due to cancer, but so what? Some people end up orphaned way before they got to say their first word!
Hence the reasons why I feel that Ruth is just a stucked up b**ch who's bitter for no reason at all. She's the one who created all the dramas inside her head, and refuse to be an adult and make things right. She was like, "Oh poor me, nobody loves me yadda yadda yadda."
Apart from being annoyed and irritated with Ruth, I really feels that Fiona Robyn is a great writer. I might look up for her other books to read through definitely. I hope that the other books are not as depressing as Thaw though.
WARNING, CONTAINED SPOILER BELOW!
Fiona Robyn's (or in Goodread, she's better know as Satya Robyn) writing is beautiful and immaculate. I love how she plays with words, her sentences flow perfectly. She is a master in telling stories, and know how to reach her readers' heart. I fall in love with her writings from the first page, boy, I was hooked!
BUT, the big but here is the main character in this story. Her overall personality. The tone of this book. It is so, so, SO DEPRESSING, I could not force myself to finish it. I hate Ruth and her thinking. I hate all her actions. I hate how selfish she is with other people who truly cares for her.
And the ending, God! How easy it is for Ruth to change her mind at the very last minute. I know this is a happy ending, but how can she changed her mind that easily? She was so depressed and sad, and was so sure and adamant about ending her life. Yet, it only took just one polaroid of her portrait to change her mind out of suicide.
I was like, ehhh... For the 290++ pages I believed through and through that Ruth would definitely end her life but at the final 3 pages, she did not carry on with her initial plan. Just the final 3 pages, and not because she was touched by the love she received from others or she comes to care for others, NOPE. Just because she looked at her portrait, then she saw a fire burning in her eyes. Like whatttt??? That's it???
I end up frustrated with the book, and feel a little bit of depressed. Seriously, getting to know Ruth had that effects on you. She's so selfish, she's self-centered, she's everything she said she's not and constantly played as victim that the world is not fair to her. Wake up, wake up Ruthie, THE WORLD IS NEVER FAIR TO ANYONE BUT WE SUCKED IT UP AND LIVE WITH IT!
As you get to know Ruth, you'll also realized that she had NONE of the major losses or failure in life to make her so f**king depressed and miserable. Okay, I got it that her mum passed away when she was 14 due to cancer, but so what? Some people end up orphaned way before they got to say their first word!
Hence the reasons why I feel that Ruth is just a stucked up b**ch who's bitter for no reason at all. She's the one who created all the dramas inside her head, and refuse to be an adult and make things right. She was like, "Oh poor me, nobody loves me yadda yadda yadda."
Apart from being annoyed and irritated with Ruth, I really feels that Fiona Robyn is a great writer. I might look up for her other books to read through definitely. I hope that the other books are not as depressing as Thaw though.
April 30, 2010
Thaw was a powerful and emotional journey. The story that Ruth told the reader through her private journal was so real that I almost felt as if I was invading her privacy. She was a deeply depressed character, and at first the premise that she was spending three months trying to decide if she would end her life was troubling for me. However, after reading several days worth of her thoughts, I was caught up in her life and her thoughts of why she might want to end it.
Fiona Robyn created a haunting picture of Ruth's character and all of the individuals in Ruth's life that helped to support her and cause her pain. I especially enjoyed how Ruth shared three memories that haunted her so much that she was reluctant to share them, even in her private journal. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction, because the journal seemed so much like a memoir - like I had glimpses of the struggles and thoughts of a real person.
Ruth's character was very real and the journey that she took was very moving. I felt that she challenged herself to make the most out of the three months: she included additional people in her life, she attempted to mend severed relationships, and she pursued new adventures - all to see if she would come to feel that her life was worth it.
I enjoyed Thaw very much and felt that I came to know Ruth, and maybe even a few things about myself that I didn't know before. Robyn's writing is powerful and emotional and she has a true gift for creating genuine and believable characters.
I recommend this novel for lovers of women's fiction and memoirs as well.
Fiona Robyn created a haunting picture of Ruth's character and all of the individuals in Ruth's life that helped to support her and cause her pain. I especially enjoyed how Ruth shared three memories that haunted her so much that she was reluctant to share them, even in her private journal. I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction, because the journal seemed so much like a memoir - like I had glimpses of the struggles and thoughts of a real person.
Ruth's character was very real and the journey that she took was very moving. I felt that she challenged herself to make the most out of the three months: she included additional people in her life, she attempted to mend severed relationships, and she pursued new adventures - all to see if she would come to feel that her life was worth it.
I enjoyed Thaw very much and felt that I came to know Ruth, and maybe even a few things about myself that I didn't know before. Robyn's writing is powerful and emotional and she has a true gift for creating genuine and believable characters.
I recommend this novel for lovers of women's fiction and memoirs as well.
October 19, 2009
I couldn't put this one down. Ruth is so real and tragic she made my heart hurt. Some books stay in your head and heart forever, and this is one of them. Profound.
May 30, 2013
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's utterly riveting, even though not a lot happens. I ached for the narrator, absolutely ached for her. Definitely recommended!
May 30, 2021
So, I was having a slow brain day and what better way to spend my time than rereading this book instead of quite literally anything else? I really loved this book when I first read it -- who fucking knows when that was -- and I really liked it again when I read it today. There were a couple holes I noticed this time around, but I’m not the same person I was so that’s not really surprising to me at all.
Ruth was depressing and sad in a sympathetic way...I don’t know why that’s so surprising to anyone. She’s not terminal, she’s not chronically afflicted, she’s choosing to give herself time before she makes a permanent decision because she thinks that’s what she wants. I honestly didn’t find this as dreary as it could’ve been, Robyn seemed pretty multifaceted in her portrayal: anxious, pessimistic, numb, sad, lost, etc. It definitely sucks, but Ruth isn’t moping the entire time. She mopes a bunch, yes, but not the entire time. There’s a lot of learning coming from her and I liked that.
Zoë and Red were phenomenal -- complex and lovable despite the very limited view a very biased narrator provides. Zoë was full of life while working through her own demons and Red was unyielding until his boundaries were crossed. Ruth loved them, so maybe that’s why I do and I don’t really see anything wrong with that. I really enjoyed Marie, I think her place was more means to an end, but she was sweet and the way Ruth describes her is adorable; Sara was fine, but not a heavy presence to me or Ruth it seemed; Abbie was kind, but nothing of particular interest to me; her father was selfish, but had his place in the storyline. I cared what happened with and to the other people within this novel and I think that’s something really successful considering the suicidal, journal writing narrator.
I think the ending really shows that Ruth was lost. Depressed, absolutely, but of the situational sort where she just didn’t know how to get out of it -- she just plain didn’t know what to do and so this is what seemed “easiest”. From childhood she’s had issues with friends, distant relationships from family and then she just floated. Through her journaling she experiences life and she likes it. Hard times hit hard, but the happiness (whilst seeded through with anxiety) goes past the moment and sticks around while it can.
The writing style was a really easy read for me. Since it’s journaling there’s no need to make up for what first-person usually lacks, since that is kind of the point. The entries were just the right length for Ruth’s deadline and her thoughts were entertaining or fascinating, whatever best suited the moment. Emotion was present -- particularly around Red, of course -- when needed for attachment to build with the reader and there was also more straight storytelling, where to the plot could actually build. Obviously, one woman’s nonexistent to turbulent social life isn’t the most dynamic story to be ever told, but it’s quickly-paced and interesting enough to want to get through. The notes to the reader were maybe a tad much for me, but the photos mentioned were a beautiful input and maybe that makes up for it.
I bounced between 4 and 4.5 stars, but I think this is definitely a 4 star read. Thaw is by no means your guide to those with suicidal thoughts, but it’s a story to be appreciated in my opinion. Ruth’s feelings aren’t outlandish and neither are her fears or doubts and that’s what’s most important to me coming out of this. It’s nice her 90 days took her somewhere past the place she wanted to be and even nicer that it wasn’t just one person who made her change her mind.
Ruth was depressing and sad in a sympathetic way...I don’t know why that’s so surprising to anyone. She’s not terminal, she’s not chronically afflicted, she’s choosing to give herself time before she makes a permanent decision because she thinks that’s what she wants. I honestly didn’t find this as dreary as it could’ve been, Robyn seemed pretty multifaceted in her portrayal: anxious, pessimistic, numb, sad, lost, etc. It definitely sucks, but Ruth isn’t moping the entire time. She mopes a bunch, yes, but not the entire time. There’s a lot of learning coming from her and I liked that.
Zoë and Red were phenomenal -- complex and lovable despite the very limited view a very biased narrator provides. Zoë was full of life while working through her own demons and Red was unyielding until his boundaries were crossed. Ruth loved them, so maybe that’s why I do and I don’t really see anything wrong with that. I really enjoyed Marie, I think her place was more means to an end, but she was sweet and the way Ruth describes her is adorable; Sara was fine, but not a heavy presence to me or Ruth it seemed; Abbie was kind, but nothing of particular interest to me; her father was selfish, but had his place in the storyline. I cared what happened with and to the other people within this novel and I think that’s something really successful considering the suicidal, journal writing narrator.
I think the ending really shows that Ruth was lost. Depressed, absolutely, but of the situational sort where she just didn’t know how to get out of it -- she just plain didn’t know what to do and so this is what seemed “easiest”. From childhood she’s had issues with friends, distant relationships from family and then she just floated. Through her journaling she experiences life and she likes it. Hard times hit hard, but the happiness (whilst seeded through with anxiety) goes past the moment and sticks around while it can.
The writing style was a really easy read for me. Since it’s journaling there’s no need to make up for what first-person usually lacks, since that is kind of the point. The entries were just the right length for Ruth’s deadline and her thoughts were entertaining or fascinating, whatever best suited the moment. Emotion was present -- particularly around Red, of course -- when needed for attachment to build with the reader and there was also more straight storytelling, where to the plot could actually build. Obviously, one woman’s nonexistent to turbulent social life isn’t the most dynamic story to be ever told, but it’s quickly-paced and interesting enough to want to get through. The notes to the reader were maybe a tad much for me, but the photos mentioned were a beautiful input and maybe that makes up for it.
I bounced between 4 and 4.5 stars, but I think this is definitely a 4 star read. Thaw is by no means your guide to those with suicidal thoughts, but it’s a story to be appreciated in my opinion. Ruth’s feelings aren’t outlandish and neither are her fears or doubts and that’s what’s most important to me coming out of this. It’s nice her 90 days took her somewhere past the place she wanted to be and even nicer that it wasn’t just one person who made her change her mind.
April 13, 2025
The book is written in diary form, one entry for each day that Ruth has given herself to decide whether or not to keep on living. Robyn used the structure to make some powerful statements; some days the entries were really long, and on others all the pages contained was the date.
This book was so beautiful. Every emotion was written so vividly, so creepily clearly. One of my favourite parts is near the beginning, where Ruth is explaining how sadness can just suddenly overtake her:
I genuinely had to catch my breath after finishing the book.
Ruth was a main character that I found it easy to identify with. I saw so much of myself in her; in her ability to talk herself out of anything, in her desperate need to make sense of life, in the way she diminishes everything about herself. She’s a beautiful person; she’s caring and she has this rich and detailed way of looking at the world around herself.
I loved Red; I love how he functioned as a mirror to Ruth, how he didn’t let her get away with being anything but herself. He’s loving and adorable without giving up who he himself is for Ruth; he was willing to take the risk and show her who she really was and I love him for it. I love how the other supporting characters – Zoë, Mary, Julie – have a personality, no matter how little space they take up on the page.
This book was so beautiful. Every emotion was written so vividly, so creepily clearly. One of my favourite parts is near the beginning, where Ruth is explaining how sadness can just suddenly overtake her:
As I walked through my front door, I felt sadness fall on me like snow. Once it’s got into me, there’s no going back. I’ve tried all sorts of different things in the past – junk food, seeing a film, photos, going to the park. Whatever I’m doing and however much pleasure it usually gives me, I’m doing it from inside the sadness. I’d be just as happy lying on my back in the middle of a busy pavement, people stepping over me and cursing me for getting in their way. It does something strange to my senses, blunts them – like eating ice-cream when you have a cold. You’re vaguely aware that you usually enjoy mint choc chip more, but you carry on eating just the same. What else could you do?
I genuinely had to catch my breath after finishing the book.
Ruth was a main character that I found it easy to identify with. I saw so much of myself in her; in her ability to talk herself out of anything, in her desperate need to make sense of life, in the way she diminishes everything about herself. She’s a beautiful person; she’s caring and she has this rich and detailed way of looking at the world around herself.
I loved Red; I love how he functioned as a mirror to Ruth, how he didn’t let her get away with being anything but herself. He’s loving and adorable without giving up who he himself is for Ruth; he was willing to take the risk and show her who she really was and I love him for it. I love how the other supporting characters – Zoë, Mary, Julie – have a personality, no matter how little space they take up on the page.
March 2, 2017
Thawing out...
Or does she? Ruth is planning on killing herself. In ninety days unless she changes her mind. Journaling her life, the good days and the bad, she connects with new friends, Zoe, Mary, Sarah, and Red. Especially Red, who paints her portrait, and becomes more than that.
She reconnects with her aunt and father, too.
Is this enough? Is her sadness too overwhelming, or will she find the strength to continue? Follow Ruth's journey through her words, follow her thoughts as the time ticks down to her decision. A profoundly illuminating look at those self-harm and why a person might.
Or does she? Ruth is planning on killing herself. In ninety days unless she changes her mind. Journaling her life, the good days and the bad, she connects with new friends, Zoe, Mary, Sarah, and Red. Especially Red, who paints her portrait, and becomes more than that.
She reconnects with her aunt and father, too.
Is this enough? Is her sadness too overwhelming, or will she find the strength to continue? Follow Ruth's journey through her words, follow her thoughts as the time ticks down to her decision. A profoundly illuminating look at those self-harm and why a person might.
December 30, 2009
Received this in a goodreads giveaway and immediately wanted to follow Ruth's story. As Ruth's story unfolds, you realize why she feels the way she does about life. I really like how her decision has freed her to try new things in life. When my son was diagnosed with cancer, we started realizing how many things we had been putting off or not doing that would make us happy - what are we all waiting for?
I wish I could see Red's paintings - powerful idea - what a way to make you see in the mirror.
I wish I could see Red's paintings - powerful idea - what a way to make you see in the mirror.
March 12, 2013
This is a really emotional read. Satya Robyn has written a book that I`m sure many people could identify with, I certainly did. Who doesn`t wonder "what is it all about?". The writing is so beautiful in places; one part in particular is haunting to me "What sums do you do to find out whether it`s worth it in the long run, all the hurt? How do you work out whether it`s worth making friends with the snowman before he melts?".
May 24, 2013
I actually give this a 3 1/2 star rating but can't figure out how to give a 1/2 star LOL. Good read but not sure I actually "loved' this book. I think, if we are being honest, we all can relate to this book at times in our lives. Not sure that's such a good thing, but I am being truthful in saying it.
January 3, 2010
I identified with Ruth in many ways, though not, thank God, the cutting.
Still, in many ways we are much alike, sometimes, it was scary.
I am so glad it was a happy ending for her, at least for awhile. And so, too, with me.
Great book.
Still, in many ways we are much alike, sometimes, it was scary.
I am so glad it was a happy ending for her, at least for awhile. And so, too, with me.
Great book.
January 11, 2010
Following this woman's tragic & lonely life through her journal. The reader is pulled into this book from the very beginning. A very tragic story.
November 18, 2021
an incredibly underrated story, although i hated the mc's mindset, it has a great plot. had an open ending. :">
March 13, 2022
A little too intense and unsettling….and depressing.
March 28, 2020
I had never hated a book in all my life and this one was the first. Granted, it gives you a raw glimpse into the life of a person struggling with severe depression and I learn so much from that. But, the ending left me with a bitter aftertaste even hours after finishing the book. It was so disturbing.
June 3, 2013
Thaw is the story of Ruth who suffers from a deep-rooted depression. The depression may have started earlier when she was in an impressionable age, or if it were present already, it was made stronger with by her mother’s long illness and death. Although Ruth puts up a good front, in her misery, Ruth decides to kill herself. From that decision on, her life starts to change and good things begin to happen to her.
When Ruth decides to have her portrait painted as a gift to her father, she meets the painter Red who can see through Ruth. Red’s background is Russian, and he is a sincere character with his own quirks. A romance follows between the two, but are Red’s love, compassion, and insight into Ruth strong enough to keep Ruth from the end she has decided for herself? That is the main question in the center of the plot.
I loved Ruth’s characterization and the way she is presented with precision. Ruth lacks self-esteem and her relationships with family and friends are not up to par. Being highly educated, however, she works as a microbiologist, is very good with money, and compulsively neat with her housekeeping.
The secondary characters, Ruth’s father, his wife Julie, Ruth’s aunt Abbie, her friends Mary, Sara, and Zoë are also portrayed with acumen and knowledge of the writing craft.
The story is written in first person from Ruth’s point of view in splendid prose. The events follow one another smoothly, in a chronological fashion, unless when Ruth looks back into her life. The scenes are powerfully constructed and the story leaves a lasting impression at its end.
The only negative is the beginning hook. Several pages go on about Ruth’s indecision of writing her story or not, with “Shall I write or not?” being the repetitious idea. A reader who may not know about the depth of the story may stop right there, thinking that this is author’s own story and she is a novice writer who cannot bring herself to write. I understand why the author did this, which is to show Ruth’s indecision and lack of confidence, but this could stop readers from reading on.
On the other hand, this is a great book, and this author writes about pain in clear yet magnificent word choices, making the reader feel for Ruth in a profound way.
When Ruth decides to have her portrait painted as a gift to her father, she meets the painter Red who can see through Ruth. Red’s background is Russian, and he is a sincere character with his own quirks. A romance follows between the two, but are Red’s love, compassion, and insight into Ruth strong enough to keep Ruth from the end she has decided for herself? That is the main question in the center of the plot.
I loved Ruth’s characterization and the way she is presented with precision. Ruth lacks self-esteem and her relationships with family and friends are not up to par. Being highly educated, however, she works as a microbiologist, is very good with money, and compulsively neat with her housekeeping.
The secondary characters, Ruth’s father, his wife Julie, Ruth’s aunt Abbie, her friends Mary, Sara, and Zoë are also portrayed with acumen and knowledge of the writing craft.
The story is written in first person from Ruth’s point of view in splendid prose. The events follow one another smoothly, in a chronological fashion, unless when Ruth looks back into her life. The scenes are powerfully constructed and the story leaves a lasting impression at its end.
The only negative is the beginning hook. Several pages go on about Ruth’s indecision of writing her story or not, with “Shall I write or not?” being the repetitious idea. A reader who may not know about the depth of the story may stop right there, thinking that this is author’s own story and she is a novice writer who cannot bring herself to write. I understand why the author did this, which is to show Ruth’s indecision and lack of confidence, but this could stop readers from reading on.
On the other hand, this is a great book, and this author writes about pain in clear yet magnificent word choices, making the reader feel for Ruth in a profound way.
February 20, 2016
Thaw is a very heart wrenching and thought provoking book. There is no prince in shining armor. There is probably no happy-ever-afters either. All there is is a life of Ruth, depressed, suicidal and afraid. I knew that Ruth was suicidal from the beginning of the book, but what I didn't realize is that she was hollow on the inside as well. I feel that she started to really live on the day she made the decision to give herself three months to see if she wanted to live or commit suicide. As the days go by and the end of three months approaches, I see her having fun, feeling happy and getting depressed and hurting herself over and over again. I cried a few times when I read about the days when she tries to explain her feelings, the hurt and loneliness overflowing in her. I felt the pain she felt that led her to cutting herself but I felt sad and pained for her sake when she feels nothing as she cut herself.
Truth to be told, I can totally understand how she is socially awkward in public and can't open up to even her close friend, Zoe. But as the story progresses, Ruth continues to grow to become more independent and confident. She learns to speak her thoughts and be honest and not to put on a facade. She learns to trust again. I felt really sorry about her past, she had to face the death of her mother and the avoidance of her father who was supposed to be there for her. She had to grow up before her time, which was a very sad thing.
Truth to be told, I can totally understand how she is socially awkward in public and can't open up to even her close friend, Zoe. But as the story progresses, Ruth continues to grow to become more independent and confident. She learns to speak her thoughts and be honest and not to put on a facade. She learns to trust again. I felt really sorry about her past, she had to face the death of her mother and the avoidance of her father who was supposed to be there for her. She had to grow up before her time, which was a very sad thing.
June 3, 2010
Yet again I find reading a Robyn novel a lot like meeting a new acquaintance. It’s a process of getting to know them, seeing if we hit it off. And I’m still not altogether sure about Ruth, perhaps in part because she’s not that certain of herself. Robyn creates characters that you have to work to get close to, they don’t invite you in easily, and yet it’s hard to walk away from them.
Written entirely in the form of a diary, at times this form seemed to constrain the writing – however, this was outweighed by the sense of pace and forward movement it gave the story. There was always a strong sense of needing to read on, to see what happens. I can’t imagine many people would abandon a Robyn novel midway, as they would always be left with that nagging doubt of what they might have missed.
And as always Robyn crafts a vehicle that happily delivers her bursts of keen description. Those sparkling fragments that jump out from the page. As I write I eagerly await the next one. In ‘Thaw’ these arose most often around Ruth’s photography interest.
At times a very pleasing read, at others a little frustrating – overall I feel that for me personally Fiona Robyn isn’t quite there with the perfect book, but she’s edging ever closer.
Written entirely in the form of a diary, at times this form seemed to constrain the writing – however, this was outweighed by the sense of pace and forward movement it gave the story. There was always a strong sense of needing to read on, to see what happens. I can’t imagine many people would abandon a Robyn novel midway, as they would always be left with that nagging doubt of what they might have missed.
And as always Robyn crafts a vehicle that happily delivers her bursts of keen description. Those sparkling fragments that jump out from the page. As I write I eagerly await the next one. In ‘Thaw’ these arose most often around Ruth’s photography interest.
At times a very pleasing read, at others a little frustrating – overall I feel that for me personally Fiona Robyn isn’t quite there with the perfect book, but she’s edging ever closer.
June 1, 2010
The website blurb description:
"Ruth is thirty two years old and doesn't know if she wants to be thirty three. Her meticulously-ordered lonely life as a microbiologist is starved of pleasure and devoid of meaning. She decides to give herself three months to decide whether or not to end her life, and we read her daily diary as she struggles to make sense of her past and grapples with the pain of the present. 'Thaw' explores what makes any of our lives worth living. Can Red, the eccentric Russian artist Ruth commissions to paint her portrait, find a way to warm her frozen heart?
I've been following this book as it's been blogged daily here: http://read-thaw.blogspot.com/. At first the idea that Ruth was planning on committing suicide was, frankly, disturbing to me. Then I started reading the daily journal entries which gave me a glimpse into what had been going on to bring her to this decision. The ironic thing is that as soon as she decides to do this, her life around her changes in unexpected ways. So does she ultimately make the decision to end her life? You'll have to find out for yourself.
"Ruth is thirty two years old and doesn't know if she wants to be thirty three. Her meticulously-ordered lonely life as a microbiologist is starved of pleasure and devoid of meaning. She decides to give herself three months to decide whether or not to end her life, and we read her daily diary as she struggles to make sense of her past and grapples with the pain of the present. 'Thaw' explores what makes any of our lives worth living. Can Red, the eccentric Russian artist Ruth commissions to paint her portrait, find a way to warm her frozen heart?
I've been following this book as it's been blogged daily here: http://read-thaw.blogspot.com/. At first the idea that Ruth was planning on committing suicide was, frankly, disturbing to me. Then I started reading the daily journal entries which gave me a glimpse into what had been going on to bring her to this decision. The ironic thing is that as soon as she decides to do this, her life around her changes in unexpected ways. So does she ultimately make the decision to end her life? You'll have to find out for yourself.
August 3, 2011
[Read online here.]
I wasn't planning on reading Thaw so quickly, but I couldn't help myself! It's not so much that I was dying to know how it ended, I was just enjoying the "journey", I suppose, of getting to the end. I really like Fiona Robyn's writing, her prose was quite beautiful in parts.
I'm not sure I ever exactly loved Ruth, the main character. I think because we're a lot more alike than I'd like to admit. Reading her story brought back quite a few memories since I went through some of the things she went through. Not giving myself an ultimatum to end my life, but other sad, hard things comparable to (and sometimes the same as) her issues detailed in the story. Some of our ponderings were similar too; a sentence would stand out here and there like a twin to something written in my own journal. At times, reading was even a little bit painful, like catching a glimpse of your reflection on a bad hair day. But it was also, almost... cathartic, I think?
Anyway, I'm just rambling. This was a great read and I'm glad I came across it.
I wasn't planning on reading Thaw so quickly, but I couldn't help myself! It's not so much that I was dying to know how it ended, I was just enjoying the "journey", I suppose, of getting to the end. I really like Fiona Robyn's writing, her prose was quite beautiful in parts.
I'm not sure I ever exactly loved Ruth, the main character. I think because we're a lot more alike than I'd like to admit. Reading her story brought back quite a few memories since I went through some of the things she went through. Not giving myself an ultimatum to end my life, but other sad, hard things comparable to (and sometimes the same as) her issues detailed in the story. Some of our ponderings were similar too; a sentence would stand out here and there like a twin to something written in my own journal. At times, reading was even a little bit painful, like catching a glimpse of your reflection on a bad hair day. But it was also, almost... cathartic, I think?
Anyway, I'm just rambling. This was a great read and I'm glad I came across it.
October 9, 2015
Thaw is a story of a young woman who decides to end her life at the end of 90 days. She begins a daily journey outlining the events of each day in an ongoing attempt to find some sort of reason not to end her life. It is a sad look at someone who never came to terms with the death of her mother when she was only 14 years old, the lack of emotional bonding with her father directly after, and the shell that became her life. I wasn't sure I was going to like or even finish this one, but I did persevere. It was somewhat interesting to see how her life began to bloom as she allowed people into her walled existence. As people began to break down her exterior, the journal began to show a slight change in her attitude. I won't spoil the ending, but for me, I think the message here was life is worth living when you are loved and love, but you have to be willing to open your heart.
January 30, 2011
A roller coaster ride that leaves one a little disturbed, but is remarkably honest. There are lots of great thought provoking insights which leaves me wondering how much the author has experienced herself.
Certainly worth reading - if for the style alone. Each day is diariesed and really readable. To say more would mean a spoiler alert (which is not my style). Towards the end I found myself speeding up my reading to find out the ulimate answer of Ruths three month quest to decide if she will choose life or death.
Certainly worth reading - if for the style alone. Each day is diariesed and really readable. To say more would mean a spoiler alert (which is not my style). Towards the end I found myself speeding up my reading to find out the ulimate answer of Ruths three month quest to decide if she will choose life or death.
April 25, 2014
This was by no means an easy book to read. In fact, I found it to be bitterly painful a lot of the time. There is so much with which one can identify, but there is also so much which stays just below the surface. Often there is a small surge of hope, which is just a quickly dampened. And all of this causes one to sway hither an thither - hope and despair, despair and hope. And in the end it is all left dangling, for each of us to make up our own minds.
Fine writing indeed. My one minor criticism is the inconsistency in editing. The book would benefit from a good tidy-up.
Fine writing indeed. My one minor criticism is the inconsistency in editing. The book would benefit from a good tidy-up.
June 21, 2013
The beauty of this book cannot be put into words It is the best book that I have read in ages. You are transported into a whole new world where much of Ruth's life can be related to. The highs and lows guide you through the book and force you to continue reading. At the end you are left in a permanent state of reflection and awe .
June 28, 2013
Ruth is so flawed and so real. She decides to prove, through journal writing, why her life is not worth living. Whether or not she achieves that goal is up to the reader. Her experiences, feelings and decisions seem so raw and real. I kept reading to discover where Ruth's life would go. She is a well-developed character, and I truly enjoyed this book.
June 1, 2010
I read this a chapter a day on Fiona's blog.
Beautifully written but I ended up really not liking Ruth (the main character) I'm afraid. I just wanted to shake her, tell her to seize life with both hands.
I wonder if that was the point though?
Beautifully written but I ended up really not liking Ruth (the main character) I'm afraid. I just wanted to shake her, tell her to seize life with both hands.
I wonder if that was the point though?
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