Through a Ruby Window

by Susan Klein

At once funny, tender, and wise, these stories transport the readers to their own metaphorical islands. "Before geography lessons and off-island travel enlightened us, we children assumed that all people lived as we did. We thought the world was made up of islands, each having its own merry-go-round. What a pity we were wrong.” So begins this collection of fifteen beautiful stories, each a window into Susan Klein's distinctive experience growing up on Martha's Vineyard. The island was then a sleepy community animated by the annual Bass and Bluefish Derby with its exaggerated fishing lore, full-day beach parties where family buried barrels of hot rocks, sausage, linguica, onions and seaweed in the sand to steam cook―and the nation's oldest merry-go-round, a creaking wonder of murals, glitter, and brass rings. In one story young Susan packs coffee and sugar with her mother to send to relatives in Germany while learning about life in the old country. In another, she walks barefoot through a raging thunderstorm with eccentric Aunt Fanny.

168 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1997

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought back many fond memories of my own childhood days, not of picking beach plums but the plucking of juicy wild blackberries in the wooded area of my neighborhood.

Those woods bring back miles of smiles just recalling the tree climbing, the fort building, exploring the forest areas, the pond where we ice skated nearly all winter long.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired my trip to Martha's Vineyard a few years ago. It is a memoir written by one of my favorite storytellers that comes to our festival (Timpanogos Storytelling Festival). Susan Klein has a way with words and uses that gift to describe her childhood on Martha's Vineyard.

The title comes from a chapter of the book where she and her mom collect beach plums and make jelly. They put the jars in the window after they are canned.

I found enough copies a few years ago and we read this for a book group...a real hit. It is available at the Orem Public Library if anyone wants to check it out.

This is my favorite quote from the book: "Before geography lessons and off-island travel enlightened us, we children assumed that all people lived as we did. We thought the world was made up of islands, each having its own merry-go-round. What a pity we were wrong."

[Cynthia Marie Carlson Heins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about a young girl growing up on Marthas Vineyard in the 50's. Book trip there next fall and looking forward to being familiar with places seen thru her eyes.