A tall tale

And Me Among Them, by Kristen den Hartog

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Freehand Books (April 1 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 155481054X

ISBN-13: 978-1554810543

Ruth was born in 1947 and was, by all accounts, “normal.” Her mother, Elspeth, is from England, where she met Ruth’s father, James, a Canadian soldier who left after the war, but not before asking Elspeth to marry him. She left her home and her two maiden aunts, all that was left of her family after the war, to move to Canada.

Within a few years, it is clear that Ruth is different. Before reaching adolescence, she is more than six and a half feet tall. The doctor isn’t concerned but James begins to wonder about getting a second opinion. Elspeth is happier to ignore the problem, having ceased sending her aunts pictures of Ruth years earlier.

As Ruth ages, she requires clothing made by her mother and specially made shoes, and finally the roof is lifted from their house to add more head room. I was picturing a very tall, thin teenager at the apex of the story until she tells us that her body is actually proportionate to her height.

The novel is told from Ruth’s omniscient point-of-view; it’s impossible, but it makes for an interesting perspective. She reports on her mother’s trip to England after the aunts’ death, and her father’s affair during Elspeth’s absence. She also appears to be able to recall her entire life from the moment she was born.

Ruth is (understandably) socially awkward. Her reports of bullying at school will strike a chord with anyone who’s had to endure it—her tormentors aren’t anymore creative or cruel than anyone else’s. She does, however, make friends with Suzy, her new next-door neighbour. Ruth is so desperate for a friend that she’ll forgive comments that, quite frankly, made me angry. According to Suzy, she’s moved about once a year her whole life and it she appears to be a pathological liar. Of course, Ruth is willing to overlook this as well.

The novel is sad and haunting but will appeal to anyone who’s ever tried to conceal a part of themselves. In Ruth’s parents, she describes the fears of every parent with a child who is physically different from others. The instability of their marriage, the wondering when their daughter will stop growing and what will happen to her, the financial strain of keeping her clothed, shod and fed… even to the point of having to buy a new car because she doesn’t fit in the old one.

Thanks to Freehand Books (Broadview Press) for this wonderful story. It’s not at all what I expected but what a lovely surprise!