It follows Molly Bolt from her childhood in the backwoods Pennsylvania town of Coffee Hollow to Florida to New York City and back again. One of the first mainstream American novels to deal openly with lesbianism, Rubyfruit Jungle has become a classic of LGBT literature. It was the right book at the right time.Rubyfruit Jungle (1973) is a coming-of-age novel by American author Rita Mae Brown. “A trailblazing literary coup at publication. 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 Because its heroine dares to be her unique and spirited self, despite society’s biases about class and sexuality, Rubyfruit Jungle has helped generations of readers to do the same. “The rare work of fiction that has changed real life. It was the right book at the right time.” -Lee Lynch, author of Beggar of Love And Rita Mae Brown is, like Mark Twain, a serious writer who gets her messages across through laughter.” -Donna E. “Molly Bolt is a genuine descendant-genuine female descendant-of Huckleberry Finn. “A crass and hilarious slice of growing up ‘different,’ as fun to read today as it was in 1973.” - The Rumpus

“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 I found myself laughing hysterically, then sobbing uncontrollably just moments later.” -The Boston Globe

This literary milestone continues to resonate with its message about being true to yourself and, against the odds, living happily ever after. 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. 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. Winner of the Lambda Literary Pioneer Award | Winner of the Lee Lynch Classic Book AwardĪ 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.

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

Rubyfruit jungle author