Customer Reviews

The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every mother should gift her daughter with this beautiful book! Joan Chittister unfolds beautifully and clearly what every mother wishes her daughters to know in order to become the full persons they were created to be. Each example from the Story of Ruth powerfully illustrates "delineating moments in every human life...... points after which we are never the same again". In The Story of Ruth, Joan Chittister shows us the qualities of Naomi and Ruth as they face life and make choices.... but more than that, Chittister confirms, refreshes and energizes the "stuff" that all women hold within themselves. This is an en-courgaging book for all women...mothers daughters, grandmothers.....women....single or married..... and it is also a book for MEN! For within these pages there is the depth of thought and experience lived by "the other half of humanity." Men will find the richness of this insight invaluable....an enhancement to their own perspective and attitude toward creation.

Once again, thank you, Joan Chittister, for this beautiful gift of strength.

I read "The Story of Ruth" about a year after I read "Scarred by Struggle," which is also by Dr.Chittister. Both books offer inspriation for dealing with difficulties based on a biblical story. The difference between the type of advice they offer, is that "The Story of Ruth," contends more with the daily struggles that confront us in our lives, whereas "Scarred by Struggle" offers advice more suitable to a particular setback, such as an end of a relationship, or loss of job.

Dr. Chittister makes an interesting comment about the story of Ruth, in that though there is no blatant theophany in this book, one can not doubt that God is somehow present. For most of us, this will be our experience in life. God is present to us and speaks to us more often through the actions of others, than a Monty Python-type voice hailing from the sky. Likewise, we are called to do our best to try to create God's kingdom on this earth, by using our abilities and resources to help others and ourselves. Essentailly the story of Ruth is the story of women, who do all they can to help themselves, despite the fact that they are at a disadvantage by lacking male family members, and one of them (Ruth) is a foreigner and the other (Naomi) essentially is a stranger in her homeland, as she had lived outside it for so long. Despite the odds, they maintain their faith in the future, and eventually their welfare not only vastly improves, but they become the ancestors of David.

This is a great gift for girls who are reaching adolescence age. Or perhaps for any woman who is feelign a bit run down by life. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the message is optimistic. It is book that encourages hope in life, no matter how daunting one's station in life may appear to be, and reinforces the adage attributed to Augustine of Hippo that to be successful one must work as if every thing depended on one's self, but pray as if every thing depended on God.

Jam packed with wisdom and insight for all people. A must read for all women and one that you will read many times. Sure wish I had this guide when I was a young woman. Plan to use as a discussion book for a spirituality group. A fabulous book to give as a gift.

I am a Lutheran pastor and brought this book to my weekly Women's Bible Study group for review as a study choice. Because it is not technically a Biblical study, it was to my surprise they chose it. Not only are the graphics beautiful and provocative - as good in the paperback edition as mine are in the original hardcover - Joan Chittister's writing is thorough, deep and insightful. It has led us to have many, many thoughtful discussions on our personal pasts, our growth, our challenges, the role of women - past, present and future - and faith in God by using the chapters as weekly topics and reflecting back on the nuances in the Biblical account of Ruth, Orpah and Naomi. Yes. It takes some work on my part but the blessings we have achieved from the book are well worth the extra effort! I highly recommend it for personal reading as well as group study.

This book illustrates a number of truths that are conveyed in the story of Ruth and is a good discussion starter for conversation with a child about some of the issues at hand. The artwork is not going to end up in an art museum but is not as bad as one of the other reviewers made it sound. In all a fine work with some minor flaws but nothing major, and a good number of positive conversation pieces about daily truth in story.

I originally gave this book to a friend. She's worked in a family printing business for years and loved the entire look and feel of the book - the way it's stitched, the color, the designs in each chapter which add to the chapter's topic, the whole 'book' is a gift in its presentation and content. I purchased a copy for myself and now once a month we meet for breakfast and discuss a chapter. The book is powerful. It makes the Sctipture story of Ruth take on an entire new read for me. Having recently gone through the death of a very dear friend the topics of loss, transformation and new beginnings hit home and began a healing process that is still ongoing. The topics can fit each person's life no matter what the circumstances and Sr. Joan Chittister does her usually fine, articulate work in taking you, through the experiences of Ruth and Naomi, on a deep journey within to recognize the greatness of soul which lies in wait for the reflective reader.

I ordered the book to research for a paper in my Master's Program. I loved it and have loaned it out several times already. It is illustrated beautifully and written well. I am so glad I purchased it.

After reading the reviews here, I purchased this as a gift foy my lovely 19-year-old granddaughter. When I received it, I decided to read it first to see what it says, and I found it was not as wonderful as I expected from the previous reviews. I have not yet given it to Emily, but I look forward to hearing what she thinks of it.

Disappointing! Gosh, this book was just not up to some of the previous books written by Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB. It would be better if she wrote less but higher quality books. We know she is capable of doing greater things.

The reflections on Ruth focused too much on activist social justice issues, and not what other women might actually think or feel. It was like the author is in a vacuum, and not able to even place herself in to the role of Ruth or her mother-in-law. After reading a few pages, I started to flip forward looking for the good part; faster and faster until I reached the end.

Even the art work didn't save this book. The art was simple and one dimensional - childish. Great art can save a moderate book. When the art is stunning, rich in detail and content, the reader is able to "read" the art. And, drink it in with the eyes. A well written icon can tell a fabulous story! Alas, this was not to be that kind of book.

Wherever you go I shall go, wherever you live so shall I live, your people shall be my people, and your God will be my God, too." Ruth 1:16

If this verse sings in your heart, these reflections and the stunning accompanying art will only add to the song...