The Ruins

Scott Smith

59 pages 1-hour read

Scott Smith

The Ruins

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Pages 134-237Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of self-harm, graphic violence, and death.

Pages 134-149 Summary

Stacy wakes up to the sound of Pablo screaming and Eric panicking next to her. He desperately pulls at his leg, and she realizes that the vine has wound itself up Eric’s leg and to his groin. She tries to help him pull the vines off, then realizes that they have burrowed into the cut on his knee, pushing it open and growing beneath his skin.


Amy wakes up and sees Stacy and Eric struggling but bypasses them to follow Pablo’s screams. She finds Mathias standing over Pablo’s body, desperately pulling at his lower half. She realizes that his legs are completely covered in the vines. She pulls at them with Mathias, finally clearing them off after several moments. However, she then realizes that his flesh is eaten away beneath the vines, leaving only bone. She turns and vomits on the ground.


Stacy emerges from the tent as Eric yells behind her for a knife. She explains what has happened, then stops when she sees Pablo. At that moment, a large tendril of vine emerges from the others. It slithers along the ground to Stacy’s vomit, sucks it off the ground through its red flowers, then withdraws back into the collection of vines.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text

Unlock all 59 pages of this Study Guide

Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.

  • Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
  • Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
  • Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs