LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
‘Welcome to my life in twelve men. Enjoy. Because I very much did.’
If you were a fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and looking for another book which follows an older, now-famous woman’s life through interviews, with a reveal at the end, then I think you’ve found it in The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux (though of course it’s not exactly the same kind of reveal!)
The book roughly alternates chapters between Ruby’s modern life – involving the practicalities of writing this book in her 90th year with her publisher and interviewer, young Jude – and her narrating the story of her life. This is done through a chronology of twelve men, with, of course, varying personalities, countries, and types of relationship. Modern readers may well baulk at some of these choices (I was tickled by literally the opening to the first man being ‘He was, first and foremost, my cousin’ – but I suppose it was 1947 and a second cousin)! But this is the scandalous life of Ruby, and the book is also a series of set pieces exploring a woman in different moments of history over the 90 years of her life, from the glamour of New York stars, to the perils of war and espionage.
Lily Lindon
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The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux Synopsis
Everyone knows Ruby Devereaux's books. But no one knows her story... until now.
From a teenager in wartime England to a veteran of modern-day London – via 1950's New York, the Swinging Sixties, Cold War Berlin, Venice and Vietnam – Ruby Devereaux has lived one hell of a life: parties, scandals and conflict zones, meeting men and adventure along the way. In a writing career spanning seven decades and more than twenty books, she's distilled everything into her work. Or has she?
Now beyond her 90th year, Ruby's energy is ebbing and her beloved typewriter put away. Until a call from her publisher presents Ruby with an ultimatum, and the impetus to embark on one last book – “warts and all”, as she says. Even in her dotage, Ruby.M Devereux has the power to surprise, because whatever this author does, she does on her own terms. Always.
Is Ruby finally about to reveal the secrets of her infamous life?
Taking the reader on a rollercoaster ride through the latter half of the 20th Century, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is a mesmerising story of one unforgettable woman's place in an ever-changing world.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781035901104 |
| Publication date: |
11th April 2024 |
| Author: |
M J Robotham |
| Publisher: |
Aria an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
321 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Historical Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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Press Reviews
M J Robotham Press Reviews
It's hard not to fall in love with Ruby Devereaux. I thoroughly enjoyed her warm, witty company on this joyous journey through the late 20th century -- Nicola Rayner
You're going to love Ruby Devereaux... A chronicler of life and love, her story is by turns fierce, feisty, passionate and poignant -- Emma Flint
Exciting, alluring, seductive -- Clare Whitfield
Brilliant, courageous... funny and flawlessly told -- Melanie Golding
