cover image The Book of Ruth

The Book of Ruth

Jane Hamilton. Anchor Books, $15 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-385-26570-6

``In her first novel, Hamilton takes on a challenge too large for her talents,'' said PW of this tale about a Midwestern woman who is loyal to her wounded and wounding family. ``Hamilton evokes Ruth's character marvelously, but others as seen by her are incompletely rendered.'' (Jan.)