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Overview
The task of editing and annotating a nineteenth-century diary seemed straightforward at first, but as Robert Root assembled scattered fragments of lost history and immersed himself in background research, he became enmeshed in unexpected ways. When doubts arose about who really wrote the journal, Root found himself plunged into a mystery of lost identity, drawn ever deeper into the drama and complexity of forgotten lives and engaged in a quest at times both compulsive and quixotic. Part memoir, part meditation on the nature of biography, Recovering Ruth is the absorbing story of recovering a hidden past—and of learning firsthand the complications of intimacy that develop between a biographer and his subject.Synopsis
The task of editing and annotating a nineteenth-century diary seemed straightforward at first, but as Robert Root assembled scattered fragments of lost history and immersed himself in background research, he became enmeshed in unexpected ways. When doubts arose about who really wrote the journal, Root found himself plunged into a mystery of lost identity, drawn ever deeper into the drama and complexity of forgotten lives and engaged in a quest at times both compulsive and quixotic. Part memoir, part meditation on the nature of biography, Recovering Ruth is the absorbing story of recovering a hidden past?and of learning firsthand the complications of intimacy that develop between a biographer and his subject.Editorials
Biography -
"The belief that affect is a crucial component to life writing is attested to by the empathy the reader feels for Root, his project, and his subject, Ruth. As a biographer, Root employs a diversity of research techniques and texts to document his subject. . . . Root's enthusiasm for his work and his dedication to recovering the life of a fogotten woman are laudable."—Susan Friedman, biographyThe Grand Rapids Press -
“Root’s biographer’s tale is a curious combination of history and personal discovery that carries the reader back and forth through time.”—Mary Isca, The Grand Rapids PressKim Barnes
“Recovering Ruth beautifully illustrates how one life can inform another, even across the boundaries of time and place. Written with consummate skill and grace, Root’s story speaks to the human quest for meaning and connection through narrative.”
—Kim Barnes, author of In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country
Thomas Lynch
“Here is essaying at its very best—search and salvage, test and measure—mining the language for what’s precious and rare. In Recovering Ruth, Robert Root works rich intersecting veins of history and humanity, biography and self-discovery, people, places, lives, and times. The reader is the richer for it.”
—Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade
Biography
"The belief that affect is a crucial component to life writing is attested to by the empathy the reader feels for Root, his project, and his subject, Ruth. As a biographer, Root employs a diversity of research techniques and texts to document his subject. . . . Root's enthusiasm for his work and his dedication to recovering the life of a fogotten woman are laudable."—Susan Friedman, biography
— Susan Friedman
Kim Barnes
“Recovering Ruth beautifully illustrates how one life can inform another, even across the boundaries of time and place. Written with consummate skill and grace, Root’s story speaks to the human quest for meaning and connection through narrative.”—Kim Barnes, author of In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown CountryThomas Lynch
“Here is essaying at its very best—search and salvage, test and measure—mining the language for what’s precious and rare. In Recovering Ruth, Robert Root works rich intersecting veins of history and humanity, biography and self-discovery, people, places, lives, and times. The reader is the richer for it.”—Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal TradeThe Grand Rapids Press
“Root’s biographer’s tale is a curious combination of history and personal discovery that carries the reader back and forth through time.”—Mary Isca, The Grand Rapids Press
— Mary Isca
Thomas Lynch
“Here is essaying at its very best—search and salvage, test and measure—mining the language for what’s precious and rare. In Recovering Ruth, Robert Root works rich intersecting veins of history and humanity, biography and self-discovery, people, places, lives, and times. The reader is the richer for it.”—Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade
Kim Barnes
“Recovering Ruth beautifully illustrates how one life can inform another, even across the boundaries of time and place. Written with consummate skill and grace, Root’s story speaks to the human quest for meaning and connection through narrative.”—Kim Barnes, author of In the Wilderness: Coming of Age in Unknown Country