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The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux

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Title: The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux

Writer: M.J.Robotham

Publishing House: Aria

Date of Publication: April 11, 2024  (First published January 18, 2024)

Rating: 5 stars

‘Ι don’t do Audrey Hepburn or Liz Taylor to order. I’m Ruby Devereaux, and this is what you get.’’

12 men become Ruby’s vehicle as she creates her swan song, her memoir narrating a turbulent life, a journey through decades, adventures, relationships. But do not make the mistake of thinking that her affairs define her. Never. Not even for a moment. Her father, her editors, her assistant, and her lovers, all become companions in a fascinating odyssey. 

London. New York. Berlin. Paris. Saigon. Budapest. Stops in the course of Ruby’s amazing journey. Through her travels and relationships, not only do we witness a woman blazing her path through life but we delve deep into the ways our world changed from the end of WWII to our days. The Cold War and the endless espionage game, the conflict in Vietnam, the political upheaval brought on by the vile Communist regime, the socio-political issues that erupted during the 80s, all seen through the eyes of a writer who jumped into the fray and darn the consequences. We are also allowed valuable glances into the publishing world and the acting industry – no less a battlefield – and the story becomes even richer with literary, film, and music references. 

Ruby’s fascinating character shares her thoughts on womanhood, motherhood, sexuality, secrets, shocking losses, the bond between fathers and daughters, and naturally, relationships. The relationships that shaped her life, but not her character. It is a token of an excellent writer to create a story told through the point of view of a single person with men as the narrative focus and not turn the novel into a hopelessly boring romance. If you expect endless rumpy-pumpy, you’ll be disappointed. This novel is sensual, yet never sexual in the sordest ways possible. 

What we find here is a story, told to perfection, a hymn to a woman who lived life by her own rules, from the last traces of young innocence to the days when age catches up with us, when memories become confused, yet even more acute. This is a beautiful novel with an enticing, moving heroine, in every sense of the word.

‘’Lord knows who wants to read the ramblings of a grumpy old woman about to die. It may be feast or famine, but it is you, reader – always my eternal employer who will decide.

 Welcome to my life in twelve men. Enjoy. Because I very much did.’’

Many thanks to Aria and The Pigeonhole for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.