All We Had: A Novel

I wanted to like this novel by artist/sculptor Weatherwax. A reminder that an artist in one medium does not always an artist make in another. While there were some good visual turns of the pen the story itself was uncomfortably phony. How many more mother/daughter tales in unhealthy environments are we to bear? The mother in this novel was sadly mentally ill but no one thoughout the pages seemed to address this - most of all Weatherwax. And enough of the happy gay man for comic(?) relief. This novel has been written many times before. And by more talented writers!

I couldn't put this book down. Through the characters, especially Ruthie and her mother, the reader becomes involved in the life of poverty and the challenges of survival. I'd love my Book Club to read this!

If you want to feel grungy, see life as hopeless, learn not to trust anyone or count on your parent to actually parent, then this is the book for you. Having been a single mom myself, I found this to be depressing and disgusting. The characters weren't well developed, the atmosphere made me feel like I needed to take a shower and this has all been done before in much better books.

A special thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From a poverty stricken and homeless mother/daughter team, comes a powerful, witty, and heartbreaking debut novel, ALL WE HAD by talented, Annie Weatherwax (her artistic talent most definitely lends her great insight into the human heart with her rich and well-developed characters)!

Wow, I knew I was going to love ALL WE HAD, when I viewed the cover and read the summary. However, it was so much more, as this dynamic novel, did not disappoint, and exceeded all my expectations.

Thirteen year old Ruthie, has been accustomed to being the mother in the family; sharp, street smart, and a survivor. From bullying at school, to fighting off her mom’s crazy boyfriends, and finding food and shelter.

Young mother Rita has never had it easy, from her poor childhood, which carried into her adult life as a single mom, moving from one place to another, living in their car, working endless jobs, and never being able to get ahead or provide for her daughter in the way she wants.

With her good looks, she goes from one man to another and when things do not work out, mother-daughter (Thelma and Louise) hits the road again for the next opportunity, always seeking the good life. Rita has never provided Ruthie with a stable home; however, mom knows her daughter will one day achieve the college education at Harvard, she deserves and hopes for a better life than the one she has known. From evil stepfathers, abusive boyfriends, stealing, going hungry, to mortgage fraud, they have seen it all.

At the beginning of the book, the duo head out in their used Ford Escort for greener grass and blue skies. When their money runs out and their car breaks down, in a small town called Fat River, their new life begins at a diner called Tiny.

There is a lot of love at Tiny and quirky characters which will make you laugh with their sometimes cynical, sarcastic, witty, sharp tongues, and hearts made of gold, which protect those they call family. (Arlene, head waitress, Mel, the owner, Peter Pam, transgender waitress, and the people in town, Hank and Dotty Hanson, the owners of the hardware store, and even the neighbor across the street, Patti who loves to shop at Walmart and gossip).

Everything about this scene is eccentric and quirky; however, the witty characters offer stability and love for Ruthie, and she hopes they will remain in this town (the first lasting more than six months).

However, the mom cannot be satisfied with just being, she wants more and again continues to make bad decisions and choices when times get tough. When she gets desperate, she shuts down, acts impulsively, and Ruthie has to be the caretaker, while Rita goes in search of another man, to keep them afloat.

All We Had is one of those books which remind us, how many of Americans have to live, and survive; desperate and alone with no help, and environments they cannot seem to escape, with little or no opportunities. When one generation cannot break free, sometimes sacrifices are made, and people come into lives which can change the course, as fate steps in for the next generation.

You will laugh and cry, as Annie uses flawed characters, yet demonstrates how people can touch our lives in so many ways in the least expected places. Readers will love the cast of characters--I fell in love with Peter Pam, Tiny’s transgender waitress! (I want to his/her BFF) and she becomes Ruthie’s salvation with a bond for life.

Loved the quote from Ruthie near the end:
“The meek shall inherit the earth, the Bible says, but how many have to suffer first? Where I come from, children are wrenched away from homes. Men are disposable, boys are lost, and women are beaten or killed. Little girls are left quaking at the sight of so much blood. And we blame them when they become less than perfect mothers. The meek shall inherit the earth, but why can’t we just share it?”

I enjoyed the way the author used home ownership as part of the storyline, as apparent these days with all the mortgage fraud, targeting desperate and vulnerable people who are in search of home ownership, making it seem possible to achieve the American dream, when they do not understand the high interest rates and all they have committed to.

A story of loss and love and raw emotions of the heart for a powerful first novel. I loved Weatherwax’s crisp, edgy, and fast-paced writing style. Fans of Fannie Flagg, Beth Hoffman, Joshilyn Jackson, Susan Rebecca White, and Amy Conner will appreciate the humor mixed with tragedy.

ALL WE HAD is a winner, and one I would highly recommend. Looking forward to many more bestsellers to come!

ALL WE HAD

Ruthie Carmichael and her mom, Rita, are constantly broke and moving from one man's house to another. Ruthie is only thirteen, but is street smart, sassy, bright, and knows more about the world and people than most others. Ruthie and Rita are almost white trash, living on the road, stealing when they have to, full of cons and scams. They have no place to call home. Ruthie is more of a mother figure than her own mom, Ruthie is the one figuring out life and taking care of her mom.

They speed from town to town and man to man in a beat up old car, filled with their meager belongings, food wrappers, discarded cans of diet Coke, old fries,
and whatever goods they have ripped off from Rita's latest man. They have no one but each other. Rita is drop-dead gorgeous. Ruthie has more of the tomboy look going for her. Rita uses her looks and sexiness to get herself through life, while Ruthie uses her brains and wits. Together, they make a great team. After an abrupt leave-taking from Rita's most current boyfriend, they end up in the little town of Fat River.

In Fat River, they meet up with a group of folks who, in their own individual ways, are as much misfits in life as Rita and Ruth. Rita and Ruth both find work at the local diner, Tiny's. The owner, Mel, is a kind man who takes a shining to both girls and gives them work and shelter. Also working as a waitress at Tiny's is Peter Pam, who is a transgender and becomes Ruthie's best friend. Other people who will warm your heart are Hank and Dotty Hanson, an elderly couple who own the hardware store, Arlene the tough head waitress, and Patti who has to be the nosiest person in the world.

Rita and especially Ruthie fall in love with Fat River and the people there. This is their first REAL home, with jobs, a home, and friends. Then, as things tend to do, their entire situation changes and life takes them on another journey altogether.

This book is definitely NOT chick lit and is a wonderful, light, fun read. I literally laughed out loud several times at the wit and sharp charm of Weatherwax's writing talents. This is a fun, caring, warm book, based on relationships between a mother and daughter, and the people in their lives. It explores life, with the usual and most unusual ups and downs. The characters are so real, so fleshed-out, so caring, so terrific. Weatherwax can absolutely tell a story and tells it very, very well. For example --

"My mother traveled with a tattered old suitcase and two garbage bags and I was lugging her last one. She stood in the doorway and waved me on. I headed for the car but when I realized she wasn't following me, I went back and found her waddling out of the kitchen with the TV resting on her belly. We can sell it at the pawn shop. And, even though my mother had sworn we'd never do this again, before we knew it we were robbing him."

Or -- "We slid into a booth by the window and I looked up at her. Her eyes were framed by enormous fake lashes that curled up at the corners like a cat's. And she also had a mustache -- not the kind you'd bleach to hide. Hers was a deliberate and grand handlebar with the tips waxed up into an elaborate set of curls."

This is a book I highly recommend. While funny and sweet, tears were also shed by this reader as the truths of life were flung about. There is always hope within reach for Rita and Ruthie, even when they are blind to that fact. The F word abounds, but it fits the story and the characters and is not offensive. This is a great book, one that should not be missed.

Thank you.

I received this book for free from Scribner through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.

“Every character is a protagonist in their own story” is a quote I once heard (apologies, but for the life of me I can’t find the person who actually said it), and on my own attempts at writing, I have always tried to keep it in mind.

“All We Had” is hands-down the greatest example of this concept in action I have ever read. The heart of the story is Ruthie and her young mother, but every single character has a deep and rich history that is revealed through remarkably little prose. I found myself wondering what happened to them all after the last page, and I imagine I will do so for quite some time.

This book is a slice-of-life story that is a very easy read about subject matter that is not easy to read about. Ruthie shares it all with stark realism, zero nostalgia, and brutal honesty. There are no feelings of self-pity or self-congratulation. It is what it is, and that is how the story is told. As such, it feels raw and honest, ultimately leaving an uneasy feeling in the readers about all of the Ruthies that live within our world.

I don’t want to spoil anything, because in this case the journey is the story, so even a summary feels as though it would give away too much. I can say that it’s on the list of books I will be giving all of the readers in my life this holiday season. Annie Weatherwax is a wonderful storyteller, and I look forward to many more novels from her.

Five stars. I wish I could give more.

Here's my review for "All We Had" ..great novel..
This was a perfect afternoon read, I loved Ruthie, she is smart, funny, quick witted, and responsible, she takes care of her mom, her mom drinks to much, parties to much, and always picks the wrong man. The two have never had a great life, Rita can't seem to keep a job, or a roof over their heads, they have never had a home to put down roots.
They head out on the road again, this time due to a mishap, they end up in Fat River, a small town that is full of quirky characters, Rita and Ruthie seem to fit in, Rita gets a job, Ruthie goes to school. Rita starts to feel restless, they are losing their house, its falling down around them, Rita makes a decision that changes both of their futures.
I loved all the characters, they all touched Ruthie in one way or another. They became her family. I know that even though Rita didn't always make wise decisions, she loved Ruthie and she proved that in the end. Rita and Ruthie are each others rocks, they will always be there for each other.
This novel has it all, humor, friends, family, heartache, most of all, love and forgiveness.
Thank you Annie Weatherwax..

Thirteen year old Ruthie is tough. She had to be growing up in poverty with her mother Rita. When the story begins. they have been evicted and move in with a "boyfriend" that her mother finds for them to live with. They soon leave him and head out towards the east coast, where Rita is sure that Ruthie will eventually wind up in an Ivy League college. Their car breaks down in a small town called Fat River, where they settle in and make a life for themselves with Rita working as a waitress. Ruthie's best friend is Peter Pam, a transgender waitress who also works with Rita. Eventually, the economy has a downturn and Rita finds herself her richest boyfriend yet. This story is gritty and touching and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book.

Ruthie and Rita are as close as mother and daughter can be. Living hand-to-hand and boyfriend-to-boyfriend, they are permanently on the edge of disaster. When Rita dumps her latest boyfriend and the two take off, not knowing where they are going, or what to do when they get there. What they find is a small town where the characters are kooky and they fit right in from (almost) the first moment. Ruthie begins to find a place to call home, Rita, rather reluctantly, takes charge of her own life, and they start to put down roots.

The dynamic between Ruthie and Rita is interesting – it is almost like Ruthie is the adult – she holds Rita together and appears much older than thirteen. She’s the one who sorts out a place to live, jobs for both herself and Rita, and keeps up with the housework, all without complaint – it’s the only life she’s ever known, and although she occasionally she shows a bit of frustration, she’s very much a get-on-with-it character.

I adored the relationships that Ruthie formed with the townspeople of Fat River – crossdressing waitress Peter Pam was by far my favourite secondary character, and the kindhearted Mel rounds out the characters that support Ruthie and Rita through good times and bad.

However, the part I liked the most was the way that the characters reverted back to old behaviors when things got tough. We always like to think that ourselves, and other people we know, would be able to keep their positivity and better habits through difficult times, but Rita quickly reverts to her old ways – and Ruthie keeps supporting her, despite the fact that she doesn’t agree with her mother’s choices.

Although Rita should have annoyed me endlessly, I could also see her point of view – she relies on other people to get her through life, so it’s almost impossible for her to change those habits and it’s also admirable that she is willing to sacrifice so much to do what she honestly believes is the best for Ruthie.

At times shocking, at times moving and occasionally frustrating, I enjoyed All We Had – it’s an intimate look at a mother-daughter relationship that doesn’t always fit the traditional mould, with unforgettable characters and some very unique perspectives.

All We Had by Annie Weatherwax is a highly recommended mother/daughter novel that looks at the gritty side of poverty, sometimes with humor, but always with empathy.

Rita and Ruthie Carmichael are a mother and daughter who are used to moving often and scrambling to try and find a way to live. That may mean working several jobs or it may mean Rita will be looking for a new "sugar daddy" for them to live with. Rita has frequently resorted to using her sexuality to help her get what she wants or needs, a fact that 13 year old Ruthie, the narrator of All We Had, is well aware of either because she witnessed the acts or because Rita told her what she did. Ruthie will tell you that her mother's favorite word is the F word.

They are currently living with Phil in CA, but Ruthie easily convinces Rita that it is time to move on. After stealing his things and pawning what they could, the two set off across the country and end up stranded in Fat River, a small town in NY. Rita accepts a waitressing job and Ruthie a job as a dishwasher at Tiny's Grub 'n' Go, a diner. For Ruthie this becomes one of the happiest periods in her life. She adores Peter Pam, a caring, funny transgender waitress. They make friends with Mel, the owner, and Arlene, the head waitress, as well as some neighbors when they rent and later buy a house. For once Ruthie feels some stability in her life.

Ruthie is an intelligent girl who does not mince words when describing what Rita does and where things are headed. When they fall on some hard times, after the long stretch of almost normalcy, Rita resorts to her tricks, what she knows how to do to survive, which puts Ruthie in a bind. She wants to stay in Fat River. When you are used to living so close to the bottom all the time, any sense of community and camaraderie is something to cherish.

I'm going to admit that at the beginning of All We Had I wasn't enjoying the novel. It gets much better once the pair settle down in Fat River. The character of Rita, the mother, is especially had to feel much empathy for because of all her extremely bad, selfish choices. Ruthie, however, will steal your heart. You will be wishing her all the best.

Weatherwax has written an excellent novel in All We Had. The characters were well developed, the descriptions very visual (it's the artist in her), and the plot moved along at a good pace. I'm anticipating she'll come back with another winner soon. (All We Had has been optioned to be made into a movie.)

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Scribner via Netgalley for review purposes.

A vividly told, often wildly funny tale of the measures a broke mother and daughter are forced to resort to, just to get by in modern day America. The story is told through the eyes of teenaged Ruthie, who is unusually smart and resourceful for someone so young, but who also has a child's need to be mothered and to feel secure. As mother and daughter embark on a cross country trip in search of some measure of financial security, the reader is introduced to many unforgettable characters, some well-intentioned and some most definitely not.. Rita, Ruthie's once beautiful mother, loves her daughter and wants to do the right thing by her. But she is so self-destructive and delusional, that Ruthie eventually comes to realize that if she is to live the sort of life she deserves to live, she must break free. For all the sadness in this book, it is a delightful and ultimately uplifting read. Highly recommended.

I loved this story and its sweet, charming, sometimes disarming, and edgy characters. It is hard to believe that this is Annie Weatherwax’s first novel. “All We Had” has no wasted words yet expansive and generous and trusting imagery. The novel transports its reader into Ruthie’s world, which is full of contradictions. Ruthie helps us see these contradictions and her voice is humorous, insightful, compassionate and angry, all at the same time. Both wonderful fiction and incisive social commentary, “All We Had” provides glimpses of what Ruthie sees and experiences just as she is on that edge and right before the loving but not always gentle arms pull her back. Without romanticizing poverty, Annie Weatherwax gives Ruthie and her mother quite the tool box, including humor, to find ways through the devastation life sometimes wreaks. Ruthie does for others what they do for her—saves them with a whole lot of love. The second time through “All We Had” has been exactly like looking through a kaleidoscope; perhaps even more beautiful than the first time. How does a writer do that? I don’t know but Annie Weatherwax did. Standing ovation.

I really, really liked this book. I instantly connected with the author's style of writing and the story just seemed to flow very well for me. Even though the story is about a depressing, sad, and dysfunctional relationship between mother and daughter, I thought it did have a touching side. This mother and daughter do really love each other and I think that those feeling come through.

I loved the main character of Ruthie. She is funny and you really root for her to overcome the situation she has been born into.

I hope the author is planning to write more books because I would love to read them!

This book was definitely a page-turner. I loved the quirky, down-to-earth characters in Fat River. I liked the very realistic depiction of poverty and homelessness and the stark contrast with the life of affluence. This is really a mother-daughter story and I loved how their relationship was so close- it was inspiring. The description of the mother putting on make-up while having a major meltdown was hilarious-she really was a piece of work. The author really knows how to create a character. I could have done without the explicit sex scenes.

Wonderful story and extremely well written. I really could not wait to sit down and finish this book. Kind of an abrupt and surprise ending. I think this mom was tired and couldn't handle trying to exist any longer. Now I can't wait to see the movie!

I simply loved this book! It was a beautifully written funny, sad and authentic story-rich with wonderful, original characters that I will never forget (and hope to reunite with some day…). A story about the journey of thirteen year-old Ruthie and her mom, Rita, to achieve the American dream of home ownership, and the struggles they endure to own a home. The relationship between Ruthie and her mom is beautifully detailed and it is the smart, strong, sassy teen who behaves more as the mother than the actual mom. Fleeing one of many of Rita’s abusive boyfriends, they travel cross-country in a car that finally dies in the small, depressed town of Fat River, where they meet remarkable and quirky characters with whom I all fell in love with – especially Peter Pam - the transgender waitress. Ruthie finally is able to attend school and feel a sense of stability and hope in her life, and yes, they buy that house with the picket fence, but like many Americans, they fell prey to the predatory lending practices. The writing is simple yet rich, descriptions that make the reader feel that they are witnessing the story first-hand. I could not put it down, and for days after I finished it, thought about what those characters might be doing now. (Ok, I still wonder about what they are all doing!) Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

I laughed, I cried, I felt sad, worried and hopeful all at the same time. Wonderful characters and not just the Mother, Rita, Peter Pam and her edgy daughter Ruthie, but everyone they meet on their journey. I found humanity even in the worst behavior of the bunch. I read a lot and what I found remarkable is that I feel like I can "see" each of the characters - As if the author drew them for me with her description and diaglogue. This is a story of love, hardship and survival - something we can all relate to on some level. And the best part is it reads like an adventure that you can't put down. You have to know what the outcome is and how this story ends. 5 STARS!

I loved this book. Annie Weatherwax's skills as a visual artist are on full display here in this wonderful, engaging and complex novel. Her descriptions are amazing. I can "see" it as I read. And her dialogue is amazing. She captures the language of a teenage girl and her mother and the people around her including a fabulous character Peter Pam who I hope you will embrace. I didn't want the book to end... Great story! And, will be looking forward to the next book from Annie Weatherwax.

Ruthie is used to moving fairly often. Her mom never held jobs very long and they were usually fleeing bills. They landed at Peter Pam and were finally happy. Ruthie doesn't trust the men her mom brings home , with good reason. This is a story of a mother and daughter relationship that develops over the years. We'll written and enjoyable reading. I liked Ruthie and her narration of the book.

The characters in "All We Had" will stay with you long after you have finished this book. Rita ,Ruthie and Peter Pam will be forever be engrained in your memory, much like "Atticas Finch" or " Daisy Buchannan" . A mix or humor and grit, "All we Had" is a stunning debut from Annie Weatherwax. I can't want to read her next novel!

This is such a strange tale of an interesting relationship between a mother and daughter. It is both funny and sad as they struggle through poverty and the mother's bad choices, but persevere anyway. The daughter, who tells the story, has a great attitude of acceptance and unconditional love for her mother despite everything. I loved her somewhat sarcastic humor even in the terrible situations that they find themselves in.

Annie Weatherwax's debut novel is fabulous! She crafts a picture of a mother & daughter's relationship in beautifully descriptive tones. In addition, the people who come into Ruthie's & Rita's lives are presented to the reader in such a compelling way that you can't help but relate to them. This novel is at times funny, poignant, heartbreaking, but always engaging. Ruthie & Rita will stay with me for a long time.

With a gifted hand, Annie writes a tale that will bring you palpably close to her characters. With an acute clarity, her carefully crafted characters breathe on the page; they are alive and you will want to travel with them through their journey to rise above a life on the edge of despair. This book is a keeper - it will marvel you, make you laugh and, as in my case, take my breath away.

All We Had was a great read. It was entertaining from start to finish. I judge a book by the relatabiltiy to the characters and the ability of the author to describe things so well that you have an instant image in your mind. Annie Weatherwax hit both those marks. I am already looking forward to her next book!

Annie is a gifted storyteller. She has told a beautiful story about connection and family. The characters are so quirky and lovable that you root for them to be happy. I couldn't put the novel down and will recommend it to everyone. 5 Stars!!

I really liked this. Look from starting to finish. The mother daughter relationship was overwhelming. Although l equipped to take on raising a child, the mother did everything in her power to propel Ruth into life.