What is the author's style in The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton?

The novel is written in the first person point of view in the voice of Ruth Dahl, a young farm girl who has recently suffered a terrible tragedy. Ruth is looking back on her life, telling the reader everything from her life that she feels led to this tragedy. The format of the novel is a cross between a diary and an intimate conversation between good friends. Ruth's story is dark and tragic, filled with a tone of sadness that is present at the beginning and continues on, growing even sadder, as the plot develops.