I really wanted to love this book. Maybe I built up my expectations of it a little too much as I waited for the publication of RUTH'S JOURNEY by Donald McCaig. And I am a sucker for spin-off books, but I like them to be firmly rooted in the original source material. It could be that I'm just too devoted to the original Gone with the Wind-- even with its flaws and politically incorrect stance, because I am a little disappointed in RUTH'S JOURNEY, at least as far as it being a prequel to Gone with the Wind.

I do admire the author for taking on this project. It had to be difficult. His research is amazing and thorough. We learn why Mammy (Ruth) is a kind of yes woman and why she smiles most of the time, even though her life has been heartbreaking--as the lives of all slaves were. We see behind the mask she so carefully wears. Ruth is an amazingly strong woman who bears misfortune after misfortune.

My mind understands what Mr. McCaig is trying to do by making Ruth less of a stereotype and by bringing her in from the margins of the source book. We see her fall in love, get married, and have a child. We get to know a more complete person in her own right. But my heart misses the sass of Mammy. The audacity and brashness of the original character has been replaced by a gentle, insightful Ruth. This isn't bad; it just is a completely different take. And yes, I get it. It's a different story.

That being said, RUTH'S JOURNEY is a beautiful piece of historical fiction. I can imagine it as a separate narrative that has nothing to do with the GWTW story. I almost wish Mr. McCaig had taken that route.

The part that I do love is the fleshing out of Solange Robillard's story. We can see where Scarlett gets her individuality and spunk. We get a peek at Ellen's life before Gerald and even see the beginnings of their marriage.

RUTH'S JOURNEY is good. I'm glad I read it. I just think Gone with the Wind is a difficult act to follow. At least for me. I hope the author continues to write his strong historical fiction stories. I would love to read them.