This book had me hooked from the beginning. The plot centers around the secrets of Mathilda’s death, and while I had suspicions, I was happy to postpone my thinking to let the author lead me to the answers herself. I also very much enjoyed the different perspectives of Ruth & Amanda, as well as the different time periods within which the story volleys.

In fairness, I would dock a couple points from the five stars - dropping my overall review to a 4.6 maybe, if partial points were allowed! - as there were a couple details of the story that left me unsatisfied. In reading other reviews I see that I’m not the only one who noticed these elements but the book was so well written that I’m not willing to drop it down to 4.

Beprotiškas, pamišėliškas kūrinys

Struggled to get through this one. A story about a drowning in icy waters in Wisconsin. So has this author really lived in Wisconsin? Random mentions of actual street names, city names and even a trip to Holy Hill - but none of it made a connection to the plot.

Reread this! Of course mine was an earlier version...but apparently I must've missed a few things from my first go round... But my star rating is changing! I will raise it from 3 to 4. (Maybe to 4.5) as I understand a bit more on the mental state of not just Amanda but also of Ruth. Perhaps another story should be made to follow up on Ruth and what becomes of her and the relationship between her ,Amanda and yes, Imogene. Does the truth ever reveal itself?
So, with this new reread, found I rather liked it. Perhaps you will too..--P/

Surprisingly enough, I liked this book even though it was on a very depressing subject. I will admit, however, that the pacing was too slow for me. I had to cheat and read the end fairly early in the book just to keep myself going. Nearly all the plot twists are predictable but I thought the writing was good. I did not know if I should feel sorry for Amanda or incredibly angry at her selfishness.

Ruth remembered drowning. “That’s impossible,” Aunt Amanda said. “It must have been a dream.” But Ruth maintained that she drowned, insisted on it for years, even after she should have known better.

Amanda Starkey is a nurse—a brilliant one in fact. She’s known for having “the touch”, but recent events have brought her mental stability into question and has forced her to leave her work at the hospital. Seeking a change of venue, she travels to her family farm at Nagawaukee. Perhaps there she’ll get the rest and clarity she needs while allowing her to reconnect with her younger sister, Mathilda, and Ruth, her niece. Soon, tragedy strikes and mystery surrounds the shocking drowning of Mathilda and as the years pass, dark secrets begin to crowd the deepest corners of both Amanda’s and Ruth’s memories. What happened that winter night in 1919 that led to a young mother’s watery death? How much does Ruth remember? What are those horrible scars on Amanda’s hand? Are they a clue to the past? But like ice, secrets eventually thaw and allow the truth to rise to the surface. What will happen to Amanda and Ruth once these secrets are finally discovered?

Christina Schwarz’s Drowning Ruth is an Oprah Book Club pick and I can see why. Oprah’s selections often involve dark, broody themes with complex characters and intricate plots. This book is wonderfully no exception. Schwarz packs her book with flawed and fractured characters who carry their own unique burdens and baggage. Schwarz is able to flesh out each of her pivotal characters amply (from Amanda’s old love interest to Ruth’s beautiful and vivacious new friend) and doesn’t waste precious words with throw-away details or pointless subplots. The story switches from past to present and from third-person narrative to first-person points of view of both Amanda and Ruth. It is perhaps these personal perspectives that give readers the most honest and raw insights into these women, the motivations behind their actions, and how each are dealing with loss, adversity, betrayal, and heartache. Drowning Ruth moves along at a vigorous pace with plenty of plot twists to keep the reader engaged and guessing. The farther you get into this story, the more you realize how all of Schwarz’s character’s lives are deeply intertwined and entangled. The result is a satisfyingly suspenseful and captivating read.

One of my favorite authors, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, wrote in his book The Shadow of the Wind, “A secret’s worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept.” Like Mathilda and Ruth, Amanda Starkey was drowning as well, but her water was the weight of the secrets she wrapped around herself. Despite her need to keep them submerged, Amanda’s dark secrets eventually found their way to the bright surface and as they emerged, they brought Amanda up as well and introduced her to the fresh air that only life and living can provide.

I'm only just past page 40 but I already dont care. the characters are boring and ????/ it is just not holding my interest. I'm glad I got it free from my library book sale.

When I read a previous book from Oprah's Book club, "Pilot's Wife" I couldnt say enough GREAT things about it. This one is a dud.

I'm not going to finish it.

Drowning Ruth was an Oprah book a few years ago, which just supports my opinion that Oprah doesn't actually read the books before they become part of her book club and go on to sell millions and millions.

I wasn't all that excited about this book when my book group voted on it in December, but I was pleasantly surprised with how compelling the beginning was. It started out as a mystery with very few clues, so I wanted to keep reading. But after a while what had happened and what was going to happen was pretty obvious, so it wasn't quite as compelling anymore. But I did want to see how it was going to end.

Unfortunately, none of the characters were likable... I didn't really care what happened to them, and didn't really care if there was a happy ending or not. Carl was the only character I really liked, and he disappeared half way through the book. Like several other books that we've read in the last couple years, the ending was so-so. It seems like so many authors get tired and kind of wimp out at the end of the book. It's too bad because the book had a lot of potential--multiple narrators, shifts in time--but was just kind of blah.

3.5
Not normally something I would read. It was good and I'm glad I read it.
I liked the shifting narratives as well as the deep and complicated relationships of the four core women of the story.

I didn’t love this book, the story was frustrating and then just ended…

I enjoyed the family drama and suspense as the story unfolded and revealed the complicated past of Aunt Mandy and her sister Mattie. The dynamics of their relationship and her relationship with her niece Ruth left your questioning what really happened the night Ruth’s mother died and it was hard to pry the truth out. I enjoyed the way the author created a wildness to Ruth’s character in stark contrast to Aunt Mandy. Looking forward to discussing this one in our book club!

2.5. Admittedly I skimmed the last quarter of this book. I just got so bored and it was taking forever to get anywhere. I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn’t hold my attention. Plus the storyline was rather predictable. It was a good idea for a book, but in my opinion not very well executed.