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Ruby Red
In Ruby's world, colour matters. Her opulent Johannesburg neighbourhood is a far cry from the streets of Soweto where anger and hatred simmer under the surface. She might not see colour or race, but others do, especially when she falls for an Afrikaans boy.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
About the author
Linzi Glass
5 books19 followersLinzi moved to the US as a young adult- and has lived in Santa Monica with her teenage daughter, Jordan, for many years.
She has been in the trenches of animal rescue for seven years and has personally rescued hundreds of dogs. She is the Executive Director and Co-founder of The Forgotten Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing dogs in need (her own dogs are rescues).
She studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute before joining the Writer's Program, and has worked as a freelance reader and as Literary Coordinator at Creative Artists Agency. She is now a full-time writer, and has co-written three adult screenplays, and two plays. Ms. Glass works as a writing consultant and teaches through the Writer's Program at UCLA Extension. She also runs two private writing groups that meet on a weekly basis.
She has been in the trenches of animal rescue for seven years and has personally rescued hundreds of dogs. She is the Executive Director and Co-founder of The Forgotten Dog Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing dogs in need (her own dogs are rescues).
She studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute before joining the Writer's Program, and has worked as a freelance reader and as Literary Coordinator at Creative Artists Agency. She is now a full-time writer, and has co-written three adult screenplays, and two plays. Ms. Glass works as a writing consultant and teaches through the Writer's Program at UCLA Extension. She also runs two private writing groups that meet on a weekly basis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 19, 2020
Glass’s novel for teenaged girls takes place in 1976 Johannesburg in the time leading up to the Soweto uprising, in which black children came together to protest being instructed in Afrikaans, the language of their Dutch colonialist oppressors. It’s the story of 17-year-old Ruby Winters and her parents, progressive anti-apartheid activists who have hosted African National Congress meetings in their luxurious home. David, Ruby’s father, is a lawyer known to take on cases in which the human rights of blacks have been violated. Her mother, Annabel, owns an art gallery and is a champion of emerging black artists from the townships.
As the story opens, Julian, a particularly promising young visual artist from Soweto committed to representing the hardship and endurance of his people, moves in with the Winters. He’s been viciously attacked and slashed by thugs from his own community who are resentful of his success. Ruby forms a friendship with this young man and for a while the reader suspects that the novel will be their love story. No. In fact, Ruby is only a sort of muse to him.
Ultimately, however, this novel does turn into a teenage love story—not quite a 70s version of Romeo and Juliet, but with echoes of that drama. Ruby falls for Johannes, the handsome rugby captain at a rival private school where children of the wealthy Afrikaner minority are educated. The relationship is intense and challenging. When Ruby brings Johannes as her guest to the annual dance at her Anglo high school, violence breaks out. Glass shows that racial and ethnic tensions in Johannesberg run deep, not just between blacks and whites but also between those of Anglo and Boer ancestry. Ruby, to this point a popular straight-A student who has served as a school prefect, becomes a social pariah. Her life is turned upside down. Meanwhile her parents are under intensified police surveillance for consorting with blacks. The exhibition of Julian’s work at Annabel’s gallery may not be able to take place, and Ruby’s father’s life is threatened..
Glass has the bare bones of a good story here. It’s how she fleshes those bones out—her writing—that is problematic. The author appears never to have met an adjective or adverb that she didn’t like. She is particularly preoccupied with the colour and style of clothes and furniture. Some of the similes she provides are absurd. There’s a great deal of lofty language and many melodramatic moments in this novel. Ruby is an idealized protagonist whose heart bleeds for the suffering of others. She’s the only student at her school noble enough to acknowledge the humanity of the school’s hardworking Xhosa gardener, for example. Oh, and did I mention that she is also absolutely beautiful?
I wish editors had worked to curb the excesses in Glass’s overwrought prose. This book had potential, but the writing is often distractingly overblown. Having said this, I do believe some teenage girls would be engrossed by Ruby’s story, and Glass does manage to communicate a lot of valuable information about life in South Africa during the 1970s.
As the story opens, Julian, a particularly promising young visual artist from Soweto committed to representing the hardship and endurance of his people, moves in with the Winters. He’s been viciously attacked and slashed by thugs from his own community who are resentful of his success. Ruby forms a friendship with this young man and for a while the reader suspects that the novel will be their love story. No. In fact, Ruby is only a sort of muse to him.
Ultimately, however, this novel does turn into a teenage love story—not quite a 70s version of Romeo and Juliet, but with echoes of that drama. Ruby falls for Johannes, the handsome rugby captain at a rival private school where children of the wealthy Afrikaner minority are educated. The relationship is intense and challenging. When Ruby brings Johannes as her guest to the annual dance at her Anglo high school, violence breaks out. Glass shows that racial and ethnic tensions in Johannesberg run deep, not just between blacks and whites but also between those of Anglo and Boer ancestry. Ruby, to this point a popular straight-A student who has served as a school prefect, becomes a social pariah. Her life is turned upside down. Meanwhile her parents are under intensified police surveillance for consorting with blacks. The exhibition of Julian’s work at Annabel’s gallery may not be able to take place, and Ruby’s father’s life is threatened..
Glass has the bare bones of a good story here. It’s how she fleshes those bones out—her writing—that is problematic. The author appears never to have met an adjective or adverb that she didn’t like. She is particularly preoccupied with the colour and style of clothes and furniture. Some of the similes she provides are absurd. There’s a great deal of lofty language and many melodramatic moments in this novel. Ruby is an idealized protagonist whose heart bleeds for the suffering of others. She’s the only student at her school noble enough to acknowledge the humanity of the school’s hardworking Xhosa gardener, for example. Oh, and did I mention that she is also absolutely beautiful?
I wish editors had worked to curb the excesses in Glass’s overwrought prose. This book had potential, but the writing is often distractingly overblown. Having said this, I do believe some teenage girls would be engrossed by Ruby’s story, and Glass does manage to communicate a lot of valuable information about life in South Africa during the 1970s.
August 13, 2017
Ruby Winters is a seventeen year old girl who lives in South Africa and goes to a rich English school. Her mom owns an art gallery with which she helps to hide wanted black artists. And her dad is a lawyer who helps poor black people who have been treated unfairly. Set in the 1970’s in the Apartheid Ruby is always been told all people are equal. But in a community that things black and white should life separate it is hard to hold your feelings back.
This book touched me deeply. It is so amazing how the tension rises with every page I turned. How the inequality is displayed. And how Ruby’s story is woven into the history off South Africa. The plot is so unique and unpredictable, I had no clue where this book was going and how out of hand it would get. The book is really easy to read and has a fast pace.
When I started reading I had no idea what the book was about and where it would lead to. The beginning is quite childish. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit like a high school novel. There are a lot of scenes about the school and how popular Ruby is. But fast after that you find out her parents hide black artists and protect them from the police. The story developed to an exciting story.
The unique thing about this book is that it is written from not a victim of the racism but from a bystanders perspective. She has a clear point of view though and I totally agree with her. There are a lot of books out there about the victims but this gave something unique. Ruby notices the black servant and the black gardener while everybody just ignores them. That was amazing to read about.
The history in this book is amazing to read about. These Soweto uprisings are woven in Ruby’s story just incredibly. I loved to see how it would affect the normal citizen like Ruby.
At one point I thought this book would go in the direction of a Romeo and Julia story and that Ruby would fall in love with Juliaan. But that didn’t happen, fortunately! Which I found also unique, the story still manages to be so interesting without her falling in love with the discriminated human.
Because Ruby has a fight with the most popular boy at school (he is a total jerk!) she goes from most popular girl to someone nobody wants to be seen with. This happens quietly through the book and I think the writer did this so ‘beautiful’ and ‘natural’, that I didn’t even notice it until she has only two friends left in school. Luckily she finds Loretta and Johan!
The scene in the art gallery when the exposition of Julian is about the be revealed was soooo cool. Before the scene started I was like are you seriously letting this go through you’re putting everybody at risk including your family! But the development was so amazing! I had to laugh about the stupid police officers after.
The ending felt a little rushed. I liked the little note off the author at the end though. With the information about when the Apartheid has been abolished and how.
I can really recommend this book it is so easy to read. So beautifully displayed and has amazing characters. It opened my eyes that there is still so much injustice and that we can together do something about that.
This book touched me deeply. It is so amazing how the tension rises with every page I turned. How the inequality is displayed. And how Ruby’s story is woven into the history off South Africa. The plot is so unique and unpredictable, I had no clue where this book was going and how out of hand it would get. The book is really easy to read and has a fast pace.
When I started reading I had no idea what the book was about and where it would lead to. The beginning is quite childish. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit like a high school novel. There are a lot of scenes about the school and how popular Ruby is. But fast after that you find out her parents hide black artists and protect them from the police. The story developed to an exciting story.
The unique thing about this book is that it is written from not a victim of the racism but from a bystanders perspective. She has a clear point of view though and I totally agree with her. There are a lot of books out there about the victims but this gave something unique. Ruby notices the black servant and the black gardener while everybody just ignores them. That was amazing to read about.
The history in this book is amazing to read about. These Soweto uprisings are woven in Ruby’s story just incredibly. I loved to see how it would affect the normal citizen like Ruby.
At one point I thought this book would go in the direction of a Romeo and Julia story and that Ruby would fall in love with Juliaan. But that didn’t happen, fortunately! Which I found also unique, the story still manages to be so interesting without her falling in love with the discriminated human.
Because Ruby has a fight with the most popular boy at school (he is a total jerk!) she goes from most popular girl to someone nobody wants to be seen with. This happens quietly through the book and I think the writer did this so ‘beautiful’ and ‘natural’, that I didn’t even notice it until she has only two friends left in school. Luckily she finds Loretta and Johan!
The scene in the art gallery when the exposition of Julian is about the be revealed was soooo cool. Before the scene started I was like are you seriously letting this go through you’re putting everybody at risk including your family! But the development was so amazing! I had to laugh about the stupid police officers after.
The ending felt a little rushed. I liked the little note off the author at the end though. With the information about when the Apartheid has been abolished and how.
I can really recommend this book it is so easy to read. So beautifully displayed and has amazing characters. It opened my eyes that there is still so much injustice and that we can together do something about that.
May 4, 2012
The romance was what ruined this book for me. I loved the whole plot, the adventurous start and the mysterious way of dragging me in the plotline. I loved Ruby’s thoughts, but at the same time, thought she lacked in character. She’s beautiful, okay, but that’s about it. I don’t know anything else about her –she has basically no flaws, which makes it a nose-wrinkling read.
And don’t get me started on how terribly the romance ruined this book. I loved the beauty of this story; the way a girl hides from the world, because she mixes with those who’re considered below her. Also, the author did a wonderful job of basing this on a true event, and this is one of the few historical books I enjoyed.
The romance, although I can’t remember the love interest’s name, happened way too fast. It would’ve been nice if it were unrequited love or just a friend. I hate how fast it happened and how fast it ended. It had no purpose and I sat through several pages, groaning as Ruby droned on about how it was love at first sight between this boy and herself.
Otherwise, I think this is a great read for historical-fiction lovers, so long as they don’t mind slightly-sappy and unrealistic romance.
September 13, 2019
Een romeo-juliet hervertelling ten tijde van de woelige ommekeer van het apartheidsregime in Zuid-Afrika. Een tragedie met zowel een traan als een lach.
February 9, 2014
This is one of the best books I've read in a while and I'd highly recommend it. Its a young adult fictional novel that deals with an historical event, that we don't usually see in YA (but it doesn't feel like you're reading a historical book, which is, in my opinion, the way it should be.) The synopsis is a little misleading, because the romance was not, in my mind, the main plot in the novel. There was much more to this book.
This book seems to be relatively unknown, not one of my 200+ goodread friends had read or even added it to their to-read shelf! I definitely think this should change.
This novel is set in 70's South Africa during "Apartheid" (I have little to no knowledge of this era, but it was in very simple terms, the segregation of whites and blacks. There was also extreme tension between two white races; the English and the Afrikaner peoples)
Ruby Winters our protagonist belong's to the White English and attends a private school. One of the most popular boys at school is chasing her, she's intelligent, she's popular among her peers and she's a school prefect. At school she appears to be the example of a perfect young adult, but there's much more to Ruby and her family. Her mother and father are both defenders of Black rights.
Her family don't have black servants like everyone else. They have black guests whom they keep secret. Her father is a lawyer, who often represents black people and her mother owns an art gallery that showcases talent from oppressed black individuals. This could get her parents arrested, and so Ruby can never invite her friends home.
When her school's rugby team is playing an Afrikaans school, she befriends a student from the school called Loretta while they both wait for their parents to pick them up. When she tells her parents about her new friendship they are both against it, and Ruby believes them to be hypocrites. They preach about ending segregation, but at the end of the day, they don't approve of befriending an Afrikaner.
Ruby then falls in love with Loretta's brother, Johann, an Afrikaans boy who disagree's with his father who is extremely racist and a supporter of Hitler and his views on oppressing the black people, but nevertheless it is extremely dangerous for her and her family.
Love was a strong theme in this novel, but not just romance. The love between a parent and a child. The love between friends. The love for a cause.
One thing that makes you think, is the dynamic between Ruby's mother and her child. What should come first, a child or a worthy cause? At the start of the story I thought she was a good mother, although she endangered her child through supporting the black artists, but perhaps this was a good lesson to teach? However as the story moved on I really felt that she put Ruby's life in too much danger for her art. (A fact that her husband pointed out.) Ultimately, *SPOILER*
Although there are lots of elements in this novel I hope many of us won't be able to relate to us on a personal level, there are many things happening in the novel, including losing friends, feeling alone, falling in love with someone your parents disapprove of, which I imagine a lot of teenagers will relate to.
In this novel we witness many powerful moments, some entirely fictional and others Ruby's view on actual events that occurred in our history. I found this novel deeply moving and powerful. It was well written, although we could have explored some characters more, I felt overall it wasn't needed, as the main plot was enough to keep me interested and attached emotionally to the story.
I haven't gone in to detail on the book because I want you all to go read it, and enjoy the roller coaster! I will say I was surprised at the ending, and I found the last few paragraphs very touching. The finale sentence was beautiful and may have evoked a tear!
5/5 stars for a novel I believe everyone should read.
June 21, 2022
YA historical fiction about love during the South African apartheid.
This was a page turner and I enjoyed it, even if there were some pacing issues and the ending felt quite unsatisfactory and a little easy to me.
What I loved:
- Historic insights: I've only read a book or two before, and those were adult historical fiction and nonfic, about the south african apartheid, so it was a new experience to do so in a new genre and learn more from a different perspective
- Lots going on: lots is happening in this story, and i enjoyed it. I really couldn't put the book down for most of the story!
What I missed:
- Romance: I was excited for the romantic plot, but it disappointed me. It was superficial, went way too quick, we didn't see enough about it after the set-up, and there was no proper wrap-up, which was a big reason by i was left feeling unsatisfied with the ending of the book
Sexual content: nothing on screen, but clear hints at the MC's underage sexual activity
Coarse language: no swearing, i believe, but definitely inappropriate coarse language to and about women and people of colour
Violence and gore: moderate violence though not graphic and barely anyhing on screen
Other: discrimination in various ways
This was a page turner and I enjoyed it, even if there were some pacing issues and the ending felt quite unsatisfactory and a little easy to me.
What I loved:
- Historic insights: I've only read a book or two before, and those were adult historical fiction and nonfic, about the south african apartheid, so it was a new experience to do so in a new genre and learn more from a different perspective
- Lots going on: lots is happening in this story, and i enjoyed it. I really couldn't put the book down for most of the story!
What I missed:
- Romance: I was excited for the romantic plot, but it disappointed me. It was superficial, went way too quick, we didn't see enough about it after the set-up, and there was no proper wrap-up, which was a big reason by i was left feeling unsatisfied with the ending of the book
Sexual content: nothing on screen, but clear hints at the MC's underage sexual activity
Coarse language: no swearing, i believe, but definitely inappropriate coarse language to and about women and people of colour
Violence and gore: moderate violence though not graphic and barely anyhing on screen
Other: discrimination in various ways
June 24, 2017
Jeetje... Dit boek heeft me echt bij mijn keel gegrepen! Ik weet niet of dat aan het boek zelf lag of dat het kwam doordat mijn vader geboren en getogen is in Johannesburg en in dezelfde tijd als dat het boek zich afspeelt naar Nederland is gekomen, maar het is een feit dat dit boek een grote indruk bij me heeft achtergelaten. En respect voor mijn vader, hoe hij ondanks die tijden toch zo'n openminded Hollandse man heeft kunnen worden!
Door verhalen van vroeger (mijn vader groeide op in Randburg) en een neef die nu nog in Sandton woont, zijn de plaatsen en herkenningspunten reëel en daardoor eng. Ondanks dat Zuid Afrika gedeeltelijk is veranderd in de jaren en ondanks dat we jaren verder zijn. De apartheid is dan wel afgeschaft, maar nog steeds leven ze erg apart en zijn er bizar grote verschillen :(.
"He must take you away from this country filled with hate and fear."
Het duurde lang voordat ik dit boek uit had, maar dat komt omdat ik het boek een tijd heb weggelegd. Het begin gaat vooral over liefde en dat interesseerde me gewoon niet. In die tijd was het inderdaad een bizar iets om "zwart en wit" samen te hebben, maar tegenwoordig gelukkig niet meer. Ik las dus niet verder omdat ik bang was dat ik het gehele verdere verhaal al had voorspeld.
Gelukkig ben ik wel verder gegaan met lezen. Iets voor halverwege krijgt het boek haar kracht. Nog steeds is de liefde goed aanwezig, maar andere aspecten worden hier belangrijker dan elkaars handje vasthouden. De gruwel van de apartheid is echt heel mooi neergezet in het boek, het is alsof je er zelf rondloopt. Gruwelijk. Hoe mensen over elkaar denken, hoe mensen bang zijn voor dingen.. Het gevecht met je innerlijke zelf of je voor jezelf en dus tegen de rest van het land moet zijn of dat je braaf de lijntjes volgt.. Brr! Ik heb kippenvel gehad en mijn ooghoeken waren vochtig. Ja, dit boek heeft indruk op me gemaakt.
Omdat dit toch wel de hoofdzaak van het boek is, neem ik het voor lief dat de karakters bij lange na niet goed uitgewerkt zijn. Buiten Ruby, blijven de andere personages erg op de achtergrond. Jammer, want had van bepaalde personen zeker meer willen weten.
Al met al is dit echt een prachtige eye-opener en hartverscheurend verhaal, eigenlijk een mustread voor iedereen.
Ik heb dit boek in het Engels gelezen en dat raad ik eigenlijk wel iedereen aan. Er staan Afrikaanse termen in die wij als Nederlander goed kunnen begrijpen. Maar ik denk (en ben bang) dat de vertaling hiervan een prutje heeft gemaakt, omdat die dingen vertaald totaal niet overkomen als hoe het zou moeten... Mocht je Engels niet zo heel goed zijn, no worries, het is gemakkelijk volgbaar en er worden geen moeilijke woorden gebruikt.
"Look Julian", i whispered, "I have brought you with me to freedom."
5*
Door verhalen van vroeger (mijn vader groeide op in Randburg) en een neef die nu nog in Sandton woont, zijn de plaatsen en herkenningspunten reëel en daardoor eng. Ondanks dat Zuid Afrika gedeeltelijk is veranderd in de jaren en ondanks dat we jaren verder zijn. De apartheid is dan wel afgeschaft, maar nog steeds leven ze erg apart en zijn er bizar grote verschillen :(.
"He must take you away from this country filled with hate and fear."
Het duurde lang voordat ik dit boek uit had, maar dat komt omdat ik het boek een tijd heb weggelegd. Het begin gaat vooral over liefde en dat interesseerde me gewoon niet. In die tijd was het inderdaad een bizar iets om "zwart en wit" samen te hebben, maar tegenwoordig gelukkig niet meer. Ik las dus niet verder omdat ik bang was dat ik het gehele verdere verhaal al had voorspeld.
Gelukkig ben ik wel verder gegaan met lezen. Iets voor halverwege krijgt het boek haar kracht. Nog steeds is de liefde goed aanwezig, maar andere aspecten worden hier belangrijker dan elkaars handje vasthouden. De gruwel van de apartheid is echt heel mooi neergezet in het boek, het is alsof je er zelf rondloopt. Gruwelijk. Hoe mensen over elkaar denken, hoe mensen bang zijn voor dingen.. Het gevecht met je innerlijke zelf of je voor jezelf en dus tegen de rest van het land moet zijn of dat je braaf de lijntjes volgt.. Brr! Ik heb kippenvel gehad en mijn ooghoeken waren vochtig. Ja, dit boek heeft indruk op me gemaakt.
Omdat dit toch wel de hoofdzaak van het boek is, neem ik het voor lief dat de karakters bij lange na niet goed uitgewerkt zijn. Buiten Ruby, blijven de andere personages erg op de achtergrond. Jammer, want had van bepaalde personen zeker meer willen weten.
Al met al is dit echt een prachtige eye-opener en hartverscheurend verhaal, eigenlijk een mustread voor iedereen.
Ik heb dit boek in het Engels gelezen en dat raad ik eigenlijk wel iedereen aan. Er staan Afrikaanse termen in die wij als Nederlander goed kunnen begrijpen. Maar ik denk (en ben bang) dat de vertaling hiervan een prutje heeft gemaakt, omdat die dingen vertaald totaal niet overkomen als hoe het zou moeten... Mocht je Engels niet zo heel goed zijn, no worries, het is gemakkelijk volgbaar en er worden geen moeilijke woorden gebruikt.
"Look Julian", i whispered, "I have brought you with me to freedom."
5*
January 16, 2020
I don't think this is my kind of book, sadly.
I'm not into romance, and I don't think the one in this book was done well.
It pretty much went like this:
The boy: You're the hottest girl I know–let's make out in a boat!
Ruby: I think you're hot too! Let's!
Seriously, the protagonist has more chemistry with this black artist chilling in her house that she thinks of as a "big brother". The boyfriend's a better plot device than character, and the only reason they seem like to like each other in the first place is because they're both attractive (yawn).
The main character was bland, and every character was one dimensional: her dad was a wannabe Atticus, her mom was petite, pretty boy was bad, Uncle D was flamboyant, and the black lady who worked at the art gallery was a stereotype with a "guttural" laugh. The writing itself was too purple prose-y for me (eyes were literally described as orbs), and despite the story being from Ruby's perspective, she was severely lacking in characterization.
My main problem was that it seemed like it was marketed as a forbidden romance, THIS IS SET DURING APARTHEID! The most intriguing thing would be to have an ACTUALLY forbidden romance between a black/mixed South African and a white South African–but maybe it's my fault for reading this with this ultimately in mind.
I'm not into romance, and I don't think the one in this book was done well.
It pretty much went like this:
The boy: You're the hottest girl I know–let's make out in a boat!
Ruby: I think you're hot too! Let's!
Seriously, the protagonist has more chemistry with this black artist chilling in her house that she thinks of as a "big brother". The boyfriend's a better plot device than character, and the only reason they seem like to like each other in the first place is because they're both attractive (yawn).
The main character was bland, and every character was one dimensional: her dad was a wannabe Atticus, her mom was petite, pretty boy was bad, Uncle D was flamboyant, and the black lady who worked at the art gallery was a stereotype with a "guttural" laugh. The writing itself was too purple prose-y for me (eyes were literally described as orbs), and despite the story being from Ruby's perspective, she was severely lacking in characterization.
My main problem was that it seemed like it was marketed as a forbidden romance, THIS IS SET DURING APARTHEID! The most intriguing thing would be to have an ACTUALLY forbidden romance between a black/mixed South African and a white South African–but maybe it's my fault for reading this with this ultimately in mind.
March 10, 2017
Wat een prachtig geschreven verhaal. Het leest als een trein en is erg mooi, beeldend vormgegeven. Het geeft een beeld weer van de apartheid in Afrika door de ogen van een tiener. Dit beeld is erg confronterend, zelfs jaren later maakt het een enorme impact. Mooi verhaal, mooie boodschap en bizar dat dit echt is gebeurd
June 26, 2011
Set in 1976 in South Africa, Ruby Red describes the life of 17-year-old Ruby Winters, whose parents have no black servants and do not believe in discrimination based on skin color. This in itself was revolutionary in South Africa reigned by the Apartheid regime. The fact that Ruby’s mother has an art gallery and is involved with black township artists, giving them a chance to express the injustice done against them, even adds to the fact that Ruby has to hide her family life from everyone she knows. At school, she behaves like a model student (so she can just blend in), but at the same time she has the feeling she has to hide who she really is. Added to this societal commentary is a love story between English Ruby and Afrikaans Johann, that has to show that Apartheid wasn’t the only thing that made life difficult in 1970s South Africa. Ruby’s parents for instance would rather tolerate their daughter dating a black man than a white Boer. Equality has its boundaries apparently, even for the broad-minded.
Just like a while ago, the cat had to say there was nothing wrong with writing just an OK book. This is one of them. It’s OK, though not very memorable. This last element is mainly due to the fact that the characters don’t really have a lot of depth (besides Ruby). Ruby for example meets a girl who goes to the competing Afrikaans school and develops a friendship with her. However, we don’t exactly see the two interact much. The same is true for Johann, her love interest. Ruby Red is an OK book, it proved its point, but the cat wants more.
Just like a while ago, the cat had to say there was nothing wrong with writing just an OK book. This is one of them. It’s OK, though not very memorable. This last element is mainly due to the fact that the characters don’t really have a lot of depth (besides Ruby). Ruby for example meets a girl who goes to the competing Afrikaans school and develops a friendship with her. However, we don’t exactly see the two interact much. The same is true for Johann, her love interest. Ruby Red is an OK book, it proved its point, but the cat wants more.
Read
May 9, 2012I wonder if this book made the Carnegie shortlist in 2008 because of its topic: the narrator, Ruby, is 17 in 1976, just before the Soweto riots. The reviewer in Books for Keeps called it racist, but all the characters are stereotypes, white or black (the shallow best friend who dumps Ruby when she rejects the spoiled rich kid, the flamboyantly gay gallery assistant, the Afrikaans rugby captain with a quiet, shy sister, and the angry young black artist who loves her, for example). The writing seems overdescriptive, even for a teen narrator, and the plot follows a YA trajectory, with no return home possible in the end.
February 22, 2019
It was okay... I thought the idea was wonderful but it just wasn’t pulled off as well as it should have been and the characters didn’t grasp me as much as they could. This book is written with quite ‘flowery’/‘poetic’ language and it just didn’t work for me. There were also multiple incidents of foreshadowing, which became tiresome after the third as they were unnecessary. It’s a shame.
EDIT: it is now 3 months later and I saw this on my bookshelf. I couldn’t even remember whether I had read it, never mind what happened. This book is now on its way to the charity shop for a home that hopefully will like it more than I did. Downgraded from 3 to 2 stars as it was so forgettable.
EDIT: it is now 3 months later and I saw this on my bookshelf. I couldn’t even remember whether I had read it, never mind what happened. This book is now on its way to the charity shop for a home that hopefully will like it more than I did. Downgraded from 3 to 2 stars as it was so forgettable.
July 5, 2014
This is young adult literature but i found myself easily caught up in the story set in Johannesburg before the end of Apartheid. It gives very good insight not only into the appalling treatment of Blacks under the regime, but also into the tension between British and Afrikaans. Nicely written though the ending was a bit of a let down.
June 15, 2009
Short but, nonetheless, a great book. Not by any means the best book I've ever read yet a fantastic read. Good to curl up with on a rainy day & just read in one sitting - which I did. Amazing.
February 20, 2015
Too sick to even think about a review :'), so a review is coming up!
March 25, 2018
I liked the book but feel that it could have been even better. It ended with too many loose ends for my taste.
August 3, 2024
First I have to start with 'wow'.
The amount of technique put in this book was just immaculate.
The suspense and dramatic turns in the book made it more and more interesting.
It sent and it is still sending a strong message to the society about the inequalities in the world.
I was dumbfounded with how carefully articulated the writer constructed the novel with all details carefully described.
Overall I enjoyed reading the novel it was quite educational and in my opinion the biggest themes here had to be
1. the power of love not just romance but the love between family....what kept them going even in the hard times .
2.Inequality and ignorance.....this book was my first time hearing about the soweto riots and I was heartbroken by the reality of the world then ;the disgusting racial segregation and it hurts to know that it still happens till day.
However at the end of the novel all I was left with was unsolved answers, was Julian released? , will she fall in love again?, will they reunite with there mom?,
Did they make a change? now this question made me stop asking questions , that the truth is to save many you have to sacrifice a few ..... to make a change you loose your own . And all that is left is hope.
And I believe the rest of the story are for the world to complete ....TO MAKE A CHANGE.
The amount of technique put in this book was just immaculate.
The suspense and dramatic turns in the book made it more and more interesting.
It sent and it is still sending a strong message to the society about the inequalities in the world.
I was dumbfounded with how carefully articulated the writer constructed the novel with all details carefully described.
Overall I enjoyed reading the novel it was quite educational and in my opinion the biggest themes here had to be
1. the power of love not just romance but the love between family....what kept them going even in the hard times .
2.Inequality and ignorance.....this book was my first time hearing about the soweto riots and I was heartbroken by the reality of the world then ;the disgusting racial segregation and it hurts to know that it still happens till day.
However at the end of the novel all I was left with was unsolved answers, was Julian released? , will she fall in love again?, will they reunite with there mom?,
Did they make a change? now this question made me stop asking questions , that the truth is to save many you have to sacrifice a few ..... to make a change you loose your own . And all that is left is hope.
And I believe the rest of the story are for the world to complete ....TO MAKE A CHANGE.
July 20, 2025
Based on the first couple of chapters I wasn’t sure I would like this book. It initially comes across as if it will be a high school drama, which I am no longer interested in as an adult.
However, it soon picked up and touched on some really serious topics. The author’s writing style transported me to 1970s South Africa and conveyed the pain and conflict at that time.
As a whole, the main character seems far more mature than her actual age and the contrast with her peers at school makes this evident.
The one part I disliked was that the romance felt extremely sudden. It had a Romeo and Juliet vibe to it where two people that ultimately wouldn’t be able to stay together fell in love the second they made eye contact. Although their relationship grew on me, I would have preferred a slower build up and a final future chapter of them finding each other again!
However, it soon picked up and touched on some really serious topics. The author’s writing style transported me to 1970s South Africa and conveyed the pain and conflict at that time.
As a whole, the main character seems far more mature than her actual age and the contrast with her peers at school makes this evident.
The one part I disliked was that the romance felt extremely sudden. It had a Romeo and Juliet vibe to it where two people that ultimately wouldn’t be able to stay together fell in love the second they made eye contact. Although their relationship grew on me, I would have preferred a slower build up and a final future chapter of them finding each other again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2025
Really a 3.5. I wish the book was solely a drama. The romance felt rushed and flat, although since it was minor I guess it was excusable. Another gripe was Ruby herself. The inner monologues were wonderful and her interactions with her peers were enjoyable (as in good writing, f all her class) but she felt a little flat to me, she just had dark hair and was ‘perfect’. Everything else was wonderful, this book made me tear up about 3 times, it’s emotionally charged and intense, and while the end was entirely more bitter than it was sweet considering the real life implications it was more fitting.
Tl;dr: less romance, preferably none, a deeper main character. Everything else was great.
Tl;dr: less romance, preferably none, a deeper main character. Everything else was great.
May 16, 2017
In Ruby Winters' world, colour opens some doors and slams others shut. Her opulent Johannesburg neighbourhood is a far cry from the streets of Soweto where anger and hatred simmer under the surface. Ruby can't resist the blue-eyed Afrikaans boy who brings her the exciting rush of first love, but whose presence brings hushed whispers and disapproving glances. She might not see race, colour or creed - but it seems everybody else does...This dazzling novel will entrance teenage and adult readers alike.
November 6, 2019
Während mich The Hate U Give mit seinen Beschreibungen der heutigen Zustände wütend gemacht hat, hat es Linzi Glass mit ihrem Buch zustande gebracht, dass ich mehrfach dachte, ich würde demnächst in Tränen ausbrechen.
Und das bei mir, die ich so weit vom Wasser entfernt gebaut bin, dass ich selbiges kaum zu Gesicht bekomme. Ergo, das will etwas bedeuten.
In "Die Farben der Freundschaft" kommen jene zu Wort, die ihr eigenes Leben und dasjenige ihrer Liebsten riskieren, um anderen Menschen zu helfen. Jene, die alles aufgeben, um für das zu kämpfen, was richtig ist.
Zwischen den Erzählzeiten der genannten Bücher liegen ca. 40 Jahre. Wie weit sind wir seither gekommen?
Und das bei mir, die ich so weit vom Wasser entfernt gebaut bin, dass ich selbiges kaum zu Gesicht bekomme. Ergo, das will etwas bedeuten.
In "Die Farben der Freundschaft" kommen jene zu Wort, die ihr eigenes Leben und dasjenige ihrer Liebsten riskieren, um anderen Menschen zu helfen. Jene, die alles aufgeben, um für das zu kämpfen, was richtig ist.
Zwischen den Erzählzeiten der genannten Bücher liegen ca. 40 Jahre. Wie weit sind wir seither gekommen?
November 7, 2020
While the author is South African, she left SA as a young adult and it shows in the choice of language used and naming of her characters. It just wasn't realistic for some of them. Nonetheless, it was interesting to read a story set in apartheid-era South Africa, and the frustration, horror, and danger that came with it.
November 10, 2021
Seemed quite tonedeaf and white-centric, borderline racist in its stereotyping and the disparate attention given to black and white character’s features and characteristics. (For instance in the way that only white characters are described as having beautiful and attractive facial features.)
It’s all definitely very well-intentioned, but a very uncomfortable read nonetheless.
It’s all definitely very well-intentioned, but a very uncomfortable read nonetheless.
October 17, 2024
I'm not in the target readership for this book as a 60 year old. However, I was 12 when the 76 riots took place so i identify with the period in history. I appreciated being reminded of how bad people's behaviour and attitudes were; how far we have come in the nearly 50 years since; and how far we still have to go.
January 4, 2018
I thought this book was really good! It’s translated from German so sometimes it doesn’t ‘flow’ as well, but the sory is really captivating. If you liked ‘Stalking Jack the Ripper’ Series I am sure you would like this too.
July 7, 2021
"Ruby Red" was a fun read. It was great to see the difference in how people live regarding their race and how the family treats back people. It was great to see that the family don't believe in having any servants etc.
February 27, 2022
This is a really great book to have some background on important black history in South-Africa. I really liked the characters and the build up was really good. The pace at the end went quite fast which might be to a dislike of some people but I thought it came across quite realistic.
August 1, 2017
I absolutely love this book. Really recommand it.
February 9, 2018
I love this woman's writing. Why has she only written two books and one children's book ? :(
She writes so beautifully on such off beat topics.
She writes so beautifully on such off beat topics.
February 21, 2018
Set in South Africa during apartheid . . . good for teens who are looking for a bit of forbidden romance set amid recent history . . .
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