missamandamae's review
3.0
I had some trouble with this book, though the premise intrigued me a lot. The title is Ruth's Journey, but you really don't get to Ruth's story until at least halfway through the book, and even then it doesn't get to where you want the story until a ways after that. Before that, Ruth is present, but the story is focused on Scarlett's grandmother Solange, and is rather slow-moving and wordy. I think McCaig would have done better switching POV by chapters instead of this approach.
But once we actually got INTO the story of Ruth/Mammy, the pace really picked up. The story of Ruth is well-constructed, and historically accurate. You do really feel for this poor woman who endures a considerable amount of tragedy, and chooses to devote herself to her mistress Solange and Solange's daughter Ellen, and then Ellen's daughter Katie Scarlett, the character we all know so well. I appreciated McCaig's interpretation of Ellen's failed love affair with the mysterious Phillipe that is briefly mentioned in Gone With the Wind.
I will have to agree with another reviewer that the whole "Scarlett riding a horse in boy's clothes" plot was pushing it. Sure things like that happened back then, but I think it was too much of a stretch for the character of Scarlett. She could have had a tomboy/rough 'n' tumble childhood without cross-dressing and racing for money. And the transformation of Scarlett going from that tomboy into the fascinating lady she became could have used a little more fleshing out, in my opinion. It was mostly skimmed over quickly. I read McCaig's Rhett Butler's People, which I did enjoy... until it went past the end of Gone With the Wind and just seemed more far-fetched than based on what the characters would actually do. (And it had a few factual errors as I recall). McCaig has a good sense of story, but perhaps not the best grasp on the characters as a whole that most fans will appreciate.
So, overall not a bad read, but not quite the experience I was expecting.
But once we actually got INTO the story of Ruth/Mammy, the pace really picked up. The story of Ruth is well-constructed, and historically accurate. You do really feel for this poor woman who endures a considerable amount of tragedy, and chooses to devote herself to her mistress Solange and Solange's daughter Ellen, and then Ellen's daughter Katie Scarlett, the character we all know so well. I appreciated McCaig's interpretation of Ellen's failed love affair with the mysterious Phillipe that is briefly mentioned in Gone With the Wind.
I will have to agree with another reviewer that the whole "Scarlett riding a horse in boy's clothes" plot was pushing it. Sure things like that happened back then, but I think it was too much of a stretch for the character of Scarlett. She could have had a tomboy/rough 'n' tumble childhood without cross-dressing and racing for money. And the transformation of Scarlett going from that tomboy into the fascinating lady she became could have used a little more fleshing out, in my opinion. It was mostly skimmed over quickly. I read McCaig's Rhett Butler's People, which I did enjoy... until it went past the end of Gone With the Wind and just seemed more far-fetched than based on what the characters would actually do. (And it had a few factual errors as I recall). McCaig has a good sense of story, but perhaps not the best grasp on the characters as a whole that most fans will appreciate.
So, overall not a bad read, but not quite the experience I was expecting.
silverlotus's review against another edition
3.0
Gone With the Wind ranks as one of my top ten favourite novels, and I am also a fan of Donald McCaig's other authorized prequel, Rhett Butler's People. Sadly, even though I had high hopes for it, I don't think Ruth's Journey is even half as good as either of those books.
I found both the beginning and end of this book weak. While it was interesting to learn how Ruth came to Solange, too much time was spent on Solange herself. And, at the end, Mammy's narrative seems to loose cohesion, almost as if she is beginning to loose her mind (but we know from Gone With the Wind that she still has many years left).
The meat of the book is the middle section, where we see Ruth grow up, become a Mammy, and move amongst the families of Savannah and Charleston. Many of the events dovetail nicely with those mentioned Gone With the Wind and Rhett Butler's People. Although, I feel like the timeline doesn't work out quite right.
A large portion of the novel is written in pre-Civil War black vernacular, and may be difficult for some readers to read.
I received a free uncorrected ARC of this book from the publisher.
I found both the beginning and end of this book weak. While it was interesting to learn how Ruth came to Solange, too much time was spent on Solange herself. And, at the end, Mammy's narrative seems to loose cohesion, almost as if she is beginning to loose her mind (but we know from Gone With the Wind that she still has many years left).
The meat of the book is the middle section, where we see Ruth grow up, become a Mammy, and move amongst the families of Savannah and Charleston. Many of the events dovetail nicely with those mentioned Gone With the Wind and Rhett Butler's People. Although, I feel like the timeline doesn't work out quite right.
A large portion of the novel is written in pre-Civil War black vernacular, and may be difficult for some readers to read.
I received a free uncorrected ARC of this book from the publisher.
queeniereads1962's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much and have a keen interest in all things GWTW. I wish the ending was stronger and perhaps delivered us to the end of her life.
dolphinlvr0920's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
It took me about 120 pages to really get into the book. I loved Rhett Butler's People so I was determined to learn Mammy's story.
suannelaqueur's review
1.0
GAAAAAAH! So badly written with so many GLARING mistakes, it was embarrassing.
louisesteenhuizen's review against another edition
3.0
It's called Ruth's journey but I feel like I learned a lot more about other characters than Ruth.
kmc3050's review
2.0
2 stars. This didn't feel like Ruth's Journey until about a quarter of the way through. While Solange's Journey is interesting, it isn't what I wanted to read about. I was also hoping this one would have the same sound and feel as Gone With the Wind but it lacks the detail and character building of the "original." That's both good and bad (since Margaret Mitchell was long winded) but this one felt cold. In the end, this book is just better quality fan fiction. I can't see anyone picking it up without having an interest in the original material.
phinas's review against another edition
4.0
A very nice read. The story is slow at first, but it really takes off once the characters arrive at Tara. Another very good prequel to Gone With The Wind.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
1.0
Don't read this if you like Butterfly McQueen's Mammy, or if you like Mammy from the original novel. It will disappoint you, as it did me. Move on to the next title on your list.