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A review by bethreadsandnaps
The Murderess by Laurie Notaro
3.5
3.5 stars
I have read Laurie Notaro’s nonfiction, but THE MURDERESS is her first fiction novel that I’ve read. Even then, it’s based on a true story, so her journalistic roots show through here.
In her 20s, Winnie Ruth Judd killed her two female friends Anne and Sammy. In this novel, Notaro starts when Ruth is caught at the train station with trunks that are leaking blood and smell noxious. Then the reader learns of her past, when she marries Doctor Judd, who is a narcotics addict, and he tragically gets rid of her newborn baby.
The narrative then pivots to Anne and Sammy, who met in Juneau, Alaska. When Sammy is diagnosed with tuberculosis, the doctor orders them to go to warmer weather, like Arizona, for her to get better. They move there, and soon Ruth is folded into their social circle. Ruth and her husband have been living separately, and Ruth takes up with Jack Halloran. On one pivotal night, Ruth shoots and kills Anne and Sammy. The last part of the novel is her trial with her lawyer being funded by William Randolph Hearst of all people (the trial will make good news!), narrowly averting execution by hanging, and her being put in a state psychiatric hospital, her “escapes,” and her later life.
The topic is interesting, and I hadn’t heard of Winnie Ruth Judd before. So I learned a lot, particularly the intersectionality of past trauma, alcohol/drugs, and mental health contributing to a psychotic break. There was the text of Ruth’s actual writing in the notes section of the book, and I could see how coming up with a coherent story from that, newspaper articles, and any court records that could be found from over 90 years ago would be a challenge for any author.
Each part of this book has a different perspective and writing tone. Some are more journalistic with very clear writing and short sentences. Some, particularly those from Ruth’s perspective, have a bit more prose to them. Surprisingly, I actually liked Anne and Sammy’s part, even though it took me a bit to figure out what was going on there because it was an abrupt shift.
While I liked each part individually, I question how cohesive the narrative is as a novel. Some parts I could tell that the author spent her time honing, but others felt a bit slapdash. I did enjoy this one even though it won’t rise to the top of the year status.
Publishes October 8, 2024
I have read Laurie Notaro’s nonfiction, but THE MURDERESS is her first fiction novel that I’ve read. Even then, it’s based on a true story, so her journalistic roots show through here.
In her 20s, Winnie Ruth Judd killed her two female friends Anne and Sammy. In this novel, Notaro starts when Ruth is caught at the train station with trunks that are leaking blood and smell noxious. Then the reader learns of her past, when she marries Doctor Judd, who is a narcotics addict, and he tragically gets rid of her newborn baby.
The narrative then pivots to Anne and Sammy, who met in Juneau, Alaska. When Sammy is diagnosed with tuberculosis, the doctor orders them to go to warmer weather, like Arizona, for her to get better. They move there, and soon Ruth is folded into their social circle. Ruth and her husband have been living separately, and Ruth takes up with Jack Halloran. On one pivotal night, Ruth shoots and kills Anne and Sammy. The last part of the novel is her trial with her lawyer being funded by William Randolph Hearst of all people (the trial will make good news!), narrowly averting execution by hanging, and her being put in a state psychiatric hospital, her “escapes,” and her later life.
The topic is interesting, and I hadn’t heard of Winnie Ruth Judd before. So I learned a lot, particularly the intersectionality of past trauma, alcohol/drugs, and mental health contributing to a psychotic break. There was the text of Ruth’s actual writing in the notes section of the book, and I could see how coming up with a coherent story from that, newspaper articles, and any court records that could be found from over 90 years ago would be a challenge for any author.
Each part of this book has a different perspective and writing tone. Some are more journalistic with very clear writing and short sentences. Some, particularly those from Ruth’s perspective, have a bit more prose to them. Surprisingly, I actually liked Anne and Sammy’s part, even though it took me a bit to figure out what was going on there because it was an abrupt shift.
While I liked each part individually, I question how cohesive the narrative is as a novel. Some parts I could tell that the author spent her time honing, but others felt a bit slapdash. I did enjoy this one even though it won’t rise to the top of the year status.
Publishes October 8, 2024