Where did your sympathies lie and who did you identify with?

Did you find your sympathies with the characters shifting with the moves between the different narrators? Which character did you most identify with, and did that change between the start and end of the book?

If I had been on the receiving end of the behavior of any of the adult men (other than Tom) I doubt I would have an ounce of sympathy, but as a reader there were times when I felt sympathy for all the characters even those three despicable men - which, I think, is the sign of an author who has developed her characters well. But in terms of where my sympathies lie, undoubtedly with Ruth and Charlotte, followed by Tom and Henry, and let's spare a thought for stoical little Jacky and hope he can turn out okay after his horrible start.

I think that I identified most with and felt the most sympathy for Charlotte. She was dealt a pretty rotten hand in life, getting pox right before she would have been introduced to Society, having a dick for a brother, falling in love-ish with her brother's lover and finally marrying an extremely unethical and emotionally detached man.

Any time a person struggles against unbelievable events, emotions are stirred and a reader cannot help but root for the underdog. The fact that this character was also a woman was genius. Her challenges were met head on and without feeling sorry for herself.

I'm not sure "identify with" is the correct sentiment, but I certainly felt sympathy for both Ruth and Charlotte. Ruth actually seemed to provide strength to Charlotte, I think. Ruth had been dealt a poor hand in life, but I still always had the feeling she was in control. It was nice to watch Charlotte develop a backbone as a result of Ruth's education (both pugilistic and otherwise).

I agree with AntionetteC's post. She stated perfectly the way I reacted to each character. The author developed the characters in such depth, that I couldn't help but think of what each life was really like.
And of course poor little Jacky, who was rescued by Ruth and Tom.

I had the most sympathy for Ruth - perhaps because the novel began with her. I couldn't imagine growing up the way she did - her mother was so cruel, and she was taught to value only her body. I was so glad that she and Tom had each other and rooted for them on every page. I did have sympathy for Charlotte as well - she came a long way throughout the book, and had a difficult life as well. And Jacky, of course - poor little guy!
Frankly, I did not feel any sympathy for the terrible trio of men - I thought they were all perfectly despicable characters.

I thought the transition of characters in the book was brilliant. I felt the most sympathy for both Ruth and Charlotte. Ruth had such a rough upbringing, and her experience when she was left without food by Mr. Dryer was awful.
Poor Charlotte has a brother who basically hated her and had to deal with the aftermath of pox. Between that and being in a loveless marriage made me feel so bad for her.

I identified with Charlotte, trapped between her role in society, with all of it's restrictions, and her true nature. When reading books of this era, I always wonder how I would have fared in those times - I am not one to bow to convention, and I can always identify with women who are stifled by their traditional roles in society.

I felt sympathy for both Ruth and Charlotte. They both faced hard childhood, one due illness and the other through the circumstances of the family. At first Charlotte turned to drink due her pox and loss of her parents while Ruth became a boxer. Had they not found each other one wonders about their lives.