Imagine a life governed by endless, ever-changing rules, where even your desserts are dictated! Kate Riley’s ‘Ruth’ transports you to an insular Christian commune, revealing a world of unexpected quirks and quiet rebellion. What happens when the sweetest things are the most complex?
Kate Riley’s ambitious debut novel, “Ruth,” offers readers an immersive journey into the meticulously structured world of a Christian commune in 1960s Michigan. The narrative centers on Ruth Scholl, born into the insular Brotherhood, an Anabaptist organization where life is governed by a fascinating, if sometimes baffling, array of rules and customs. This compelling work delves into the intricacies of community living, the allure of structure, and the subtle, often internal, acts of questioning that arise within such a controlled environment.
The novel meticulously details Ruth’s upbringing within a Dorf, one of several small villages that comprise the Brotherhood. Here, local elders dictate standards of comportment, education, and even residence, with these directives frequently changing due to cost-saving measures or political shifts among the Dorfs. Despite their cryptic nature and fluid application, these rules are treated with absolute reverence, shaping every aspect of Ruth’s existence from her daily chores to her chosen occupations.
Central to the Brotherhood’s philosophy is a perceived contradiction between a rigid, patriarchal hierarchy and a theoretical commitment to equality, which often serves as a catalyst for the creation of even more elaborate rules. This tension is explored through practices such as the establishment of the Shalom, a system where unwed young people are moved between families to foster “familiarity without favoritism.” The novel subtly critiques how such systems, while seemingly designed to promote communal harmony, can also obscure deeper personal and social complexities.
Unexpectedly, desserts emerge as a recurring and significant motif throughout “Ruth,” transcending their simple culinary role to become symbols of both communal life and individual desires. From “qualifying desserts” like ice cream and chocolate pie to “hot cross bun marathons” and the acquisition of Frozee’s ice cream, these sweet confections punctuate the narrative. They highlight the evolving tastes, moral considerations, and budgetary realities within the Dorfs, providing a unique lens through which to view the community’s internal dynamics.
Rather than a conventional plot driven by dramatic conflict or character transformation, “Ruth” is richly furnished with a pantheon of “twee iconography.” The narrative weaves together whimsical details such as a “child-size laundry cart,” “banana triage,” and “kerchief semiotics,” creating a distinct stylistic texture. This focus on meticulously crafted imagery and quaint observations allows the novel to explore its themes of order and discipline through an aesthetic sensibility akin to the films of Wes Anderson.
Ruth herself serves as the consistent emotional anchor of the book, embodying a fascinating dichotomy of mischief, earnestness, and unwavering obedience. While she performs her prescribed duties and largely submits to the Brotherhood’s domestic vision, her internal world is rich with anxious imagination and unique perceptions. Early glimpses into her mind reveal poignant images, such as picturing deceased grandparents “sleeping under a rose petal in a walnut shell,” offering readers rewarding insights into her peculiar yet profound sensibility.
Despite its vivid characterizations and detailed world-building, the novel deliberately sidesteps major external conflict, portraying a Christian community largely free from scandal or strife over five decades. While historical events like the civil-rights movement are referenced, political struggle remains an abstraction for Ruth, her commitment to understanding it proving short-lived. This narrative choice underscores the novel’s central exploration of insularity, demonstrating how a deeply ingrained sense of order can effectively shield individuals from the complexities of the wider world.
Ultimately, “Ruth” tests the hypothesis that style can be paramount, even transcendent. Riley’s mannered language and deadpan comedy deliver “perfect bouquets of imagery,” inviting readers to ponder the power of aesthetic precision in conveying profound truths. The novel’s portrayal of the Brotherhood, with its “wee moments of blissful drudgery” and mysterious customs like the “Great Exclusion,” cultivates a powerful sense of an impenetrable faith, leaving the reader with a yearning for a deeper understanding of its unique, disciplined sensuality.
