Books by Rita Mae Brown

Discover the classic coming of age novel that confronts prejudice and injustice with power and humanity. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY RITA MAE BROWN Molly Bolt is a young lady with a big character.

"The rare work of fiction that has changed real life . . . If you don't yet know Molly Bolt-or Rita Mae Brown, who created her-I urge you to read and thank them both."-Gloria Steinem Winner of the Lambda Literary Pioneer Award | Winner of the Lee Lynch Classic Book Award A landmark coming-of-age novel that launched the career of one of this country's most distinctive voices, Rubyfruit Jungle remains a transformative work more than forty years after its original publication. In bawdy, moving prose, Rita Mae Brown tells the story of Molly Bolt, the adoptive daughter of a dirt-poor Southern couple who boldly forges her own path in America. With her startling beauty and crackling wit, Molly finds that women are drawn to her wherever she goes-and she refuses to apologize for loving them back. This literary milestone continues to resonate with its message about being true to yourself and, against the odds, living happily ever after. Praise for Rubyfruit Jungle "Groundbreaking."-The New York Times "Powerful . . . a truly incredible book . . . I found myself laughing hysterically, then sobbing uncontrollably just moments later."-The Boston Globe "You can't fully know-or enjoy-how much the world has changed without reading this truly wonderful book."-Andrew Tobias, author of The Best Little Boy in the World "A crass and hilarious slice of growing up 'different,' as fun to read today as it was in 1973."-The Rumpus "Molly Bolt is a genuine descendant-genuine female descendant-of Huckleberry Finn. And Rita Mae Brown is, like Mark Twain, a serious writer who gets her messages across through laughter."-Donna E. Shalala"A trailblazing literary coup at publication . . . It was the right book at the right time."-Lee Lynch, author of Beggar of Love

David, the oldest child in this story, even at age ten, spent most of his young life as the man of the house. His dad left their family, and his mother had to work all the time, which shifted many responsibilities to him. He was always on the inside looking out and wondered when a change would come.Being the oldest child, as in other families with similar dynamics, had assigned him responsibilities that helped balance things out in the family. But in spite of his challenges, David held on to his dreams. Some children dont dare dream or are at risk of losing their dreams. He continued to reflect on how he used his imagination to get involved with other kids and activities and yet stay focused. He really didnt realize what he was learning from his experiences as he grew up. Davids mother did not realize the impact of his experiencesthose that were positive and those that seemed negative to him. He could only dream of a change. As the change came, he began to recognize the encouragement and opportunities given him had helped him develop into a respectful, responsible young man and leader.

There are three young brothers in this story and the oldest has been given the responsibility to be his mothers helper; considered the man of the house. He always seem to be on the inside looking out. Comment: Peace Education Consultant; Carolyn Shipman states: I love this story because it discusses many behaviors and values that have been forgotten and/or overlooked. I see there are affirmation, communication and cooperation between the mother and children in this family. The oldest child received additional affirmation and good communication from his teachers and neighbors.

From the best-selling author of  Rubyfruit Jungle and  Bingo, here is a writers'' manual as provocative,  frank, and funny as her fiction. Unlike most  writers'' guides, this one had as much to do with how  writers live as with mastering the tools of their  trade. Rita Mae Brown begins with a very personal  account of her own career, from her days as a young  poet who had written a novel no publisher wanted  to take a chance on, right up to her recent  adventures as a Hollywood screenwriter. In a sassy style  that makes her outspoken advice as entertaining as  it is useful, she provides straight talk about  paying the rent while maintaining the energy to  write; and dealing with agents, publishers, critics,  and the publicity circus; about pursuingj  ournalisim, academia, or screen-writing; and about rejecting  the Hemingway myth of the hard-living,  hard-drinking genius. In addition Brown, a former teacher or  writing, offers a serious examination of the  writer''s tool--language, plotting, characters,  symbolism--plus exercises to sharpen the ear for dialogue,  and a fascinating, annoted reading list of  important works from the seventh century to the late  twentieth.

Mrs. Murphy thinks the new man in town is the cat's meow.... Maybe she should think again. Small towns don't take kindly to strangers--unless the stranger happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous and seemingly unattached male. When Blair Bainbridge comes to Crozet, Virginia, the local matchmakers lose no time in declaring him perfect for their newly divorced postmistress, Marry Minor "Harry Haristeen." Even Harry's tiger cat, Ms. Murphy, and her Welsh Corgi, Tee Tucker, believe he smells A-okay. Could his one little imperfection be that he's a killer? Blair becomes the most likely suspect when the pieces of a dismembered corpse begin tuming up around Crozet. No one knows who the dead man is, but when a grisly clue makes a spectacular appearance in the middle of the fall festivities, more than an early winter snow begins chilling the blood of Crozet's very best people. That's when Ms. Murphy, her friend Tucker, and her human companion Harry begin to sort throughout the clues . . . only to find themselves a whisker away from becoming the killer's next victims.