Ain't No Sunshine wowed me. The story is set in the 60's in Virginia. It is told through the point of view of Stephen, a white male, who falls in love with his neighbor, Ruthie, a black female. Stephen is raised in an abusive home. Ruthie is his only real friend for much of the story. Stephen's abusive father refers to Ruthie as a nigger but yet does not prohibit the friendship and shows an interest in her, ( buying her a dress, paying for art school). Yet when his son shows a romantic interest in Ruthie he is beaten.

This story held my interest to the end. I guessed at somethings by chapter 10 but was still unprepared for the ending. Ain't No Sunshine takes a few twists and turns, some are believable, some not. Overall I found it to be a very good novella.
( )

Wow, I was suprised at the ending. ( )

It was not time for mixed race relationships, but it seemed Stephen love Ruthie all his life. His older brother tried to protect him from an abusive father. It is a horrid story that is reflective of the attitudes during the 1960s. When they finally are old enough to take off, his father, the Reverend Theodore, is killed. Stopped by the police for a broken taillight, Stephen is the prime suspect. There is nothing pleasant about family and their sordid secrets. Ellipsis is overused and distracted readers. However, the story rates a four for the surprise ending. ( )

This book is so good I read in a day. Could not put it down! I have read three books by this author now and they are just getting better and better. As I was reading this story played out in my mind like a movie. I was visualizing every scene and there are so many surprises right until the end that it kept me thinking this would make an awesome movie. It takes you back to the 60's and 70's with racial intolerance and a love story. If you think these things would be of interest to you I recommend this book. ( )

I've sat and tried to figure out my feelings towards this book. I've flopped between a 4 and a 5 star rating and decided on 5 because of all the emotions it instilled in me. I was certainly involved with the characters and their family. I hated the father, loved the older brother,Matthew, and neighbor girl, Ruthie, and was very involved with Stephen. With the story line being centered around abusive home life, I had so many ups and downs and was certainly wanting to change things for everyone. At times I hated the book and didn't want to read it because of the abuse, but still NEEDED to because I wanted to know how everything turned out in the end. This was truly a love-hate relationship for me. I'm still stunned by the ending and all the twists that happened before. What a ride! ( )