Angie Kathleen L. (stories2tell) reviewed Musically Speaking: A Life Through Song (Personal Takes) on + 47 more book reviews
Whenever I heard the name of Dr. Ruth I immediately thought, "Oh, she's the lady who likes to talk about sex." Then, I saw her, now quite old, featured on a TV special. She was tiny, funny, engaging and had sparkly kind eyes. I wanted to know more about her. A search found this book.
Imagine pulling out one interest, one personal passion, and weaving it throughout the story of your life. That is how Ruth wrote this memoir. But the passion she follows is not sex. It is music. Somewhat of an odd choice because, her first sentence reads: "I am, and have always been, the first to admit: I cannot carry a tune."
Still, it is the music of her early childhood in WWII Germany that sustained her through an adolescence as an unwelcome refugee in Switzerland. There, the gathering of Jewish children were seen as available labor and Ruth must study a friend's books at night to get an education. She also learned many new songs in Switzerland but found that no matter how long or loud she sang them it never felt like home.
Finding a place to feel at home, both geographically and philosophically, was a propelling force for Ruth. She became a school teacher; she worked the fields of Jerusalem for a season; she traveled, and she gained further education. Then, she accepted an opportunity to be on a radio show. It was that choice that propeled her popularity. Because, to hear Dr Ruth is to want to hear more from this wise, witty and wonderful woman.
Dr. Ruth? Oh, she's the lady who, though tone deaf, sang herself happy and then shared the joy far and wide.
Imagine pulling out one interest, one personal passion, and weaving it throughout the story of your life. That is how Ruth wrote this memoir. But the passion she follows is not sex. It is music. Somewhat of an odd choice because, her first sentence reads: "I am, and have always been, the first to admit: I cannot carry a tune."
Still, it is the music of her early childhood in WWII Germany that sustained her through an adolescence as an unwelcome refugee in Switzerland. There, the gathering of Jewish children were seen as available labor and Ruth must study a friend's books at night to get an education. She also learned many new songs in Switzerland but found that no matter how long or loud she sang them it never felt like home.
Finding a place to feel at home, both geographically and philosophically, was a propelling force for Ruth. She became a school teacher; she worked the fields of Jerusalem for a season; she traveled, and she gained further education. Then, she accepted an opportunity to be on a radio show. It was that choice that propeled her popularity. Because, to hear Dr Ruth is to want to hear more from this wise, witty and wonderful woman.
Dr. Ruth? Oh, she's the lady who, though tone deaf, sang herself happy and then shared the joy far and wide.
