The Upper Room (A Mama Ruby Novel)

Storytelling in its finest hour, and in all of its glory. There's very little to say, except I loved, loved this story, and book. Normally I don't enjoy themes embedded in the more grisly undercarriages of life, but Mama Ruby makes this one an exception. And yes, the pages smelled great; reminiscent of what those old books used to smell like. Of course it was the mass-market paperback edition I read.

Inclusive of a great cast of characters moved by great bodies of rich autistic dialogue, it didn't take long to take a genuine liking to this steep story entrenched in gripping persuasive writing. Virgil, Hattie, Slim, Fast Black, Mo'reen, and of course Mama Ruby, I couldn't get enough of. I cried laughing throughout. Between `the Lord,' `the Holy Ghost,' and `the devil,' I couldn't make heads or tails out which spirit moved the characters, (or me), more. But God bless that child Mo'reen, it had to be her role that kept the story moving, and me rocking on my sides every time she spoke. I thought if someone `axed' her another question; or she said another thing, I would for sure lose a spleen, in which case this was the other thing. There really is a devilishly deep mystery working around this `cagy' upper room.

This has to be one of the best, if not the best novel I ever read. Over the top fabulously well-written! A highly recommended Must Read.

"Mary Monroe has done it again!" Very suspenseful, humorous and a true page turner. It keeps you on the edge, which makes it more entertaining. A true writer of our time. Thanks again for another outstanding work of art!

Your number one fan!

RETURNED DUE TO SMALL BOOK AND PRINT. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY? JUST COULD NOT READ PERIOD

I thought I was getting the book in the description the tale of a women stealing a baby she once thought was dead. It is and it isn't. It's really hard to put into words what The Upper Room is about because I am/was so confused. Instead, of a heartfelt story about a women wanting a child so much that she is willing to steal her best friends baby, The Upper Room is about a crazy, overweight serial killer, who just happened to steal the baby girl she always wanted but never had.

I had gotten to less than 100 pages into the novel when I wen back to re-read the description. I even went back and re-read the reviews, just to see make sure I was reading the right book. After reading the reviews, I figured that somehow I wasn't getting it. Everyone else seemed to think this book was funny. The star rating was 4 and above. I wondered if Mary Monroe was using some form of satire that was just going over my head. I did not find this book funny or even mildly entertaining.

The main character, Mama Ruby claims to be a God fearing, Christian with the devil on her coattails. In reality, the devil is on her left shoulder with direct access to her whenever he wants it. She kills people (lots of them) needlessly with out not provocation. If someone wants to collect a debt she kills them, if someone calls her a name she kills them. She kills anyone and everyone, claiming that they were trying to rape her and she had to "chastize" them. She is also and alcoholic and is morbidly obese. Her only redeeming qualities are the she loves her children and if you stay on her good side she is a great friend.

The daughter that she kidnapped, Maureen, was a underdeveloped. All she wanted to do was live her life, which would only be possible if she could escape Mama Ruby, who has no intention of letting her go, ever. I really wish Monroe would have done more with Maureen characters. Yes, she knew that her mother was a "little" crazy, but she turned a blind eye to her antics, instead pretending that she did not know what was going on.

Mary Monroe's writing style is engaging but her writing couldn't cover up what a hot mess this book was.

There were jumps in time without any indication that time had passed. One minute Maureen is a baby, then next she is five, then she is 18. It was confusing and took me out the flow of the story often.

Monroe wasn't consistent and her ages were off. At one point I pulled out a calculator to figure out how old everyone was and it didn't match.

The dialogue was unbelievable. I understand that the characters are from the south and that because of regional accents some words would have different pronunciations but who was "V-Eight Nam" or "so-wee-side"

I have tons of highlights with notes that way "!!!What???" or "WTF".

The person that edited The Upper Room should be ashamed of themselves.

This book caught my attention from start to finish.

[[VIDEOID:b2b1c11b0cafeda16c0706a1392df168]] I read this book was I was a lot younger && fell in love w/ it.. So when I finally came across it again I had to buy it.. The condition of the product is fair it’s no major faults in it..

Great novel

I’m a big fan of this author. This series has been a good one however draining.

I’m a big fan of this author. This series has been a good one however draining.

Great condition