RHETT BUTLER'S PEOPLE: A Review

At first glance, this book sounded like it may have potential. Certainly, it would have to better than the first approved sequel of Gone With The Wind, Alexandra Ripley's abomination Scarlett. Hell, every James Patterson book is better than Scarlett. Good news: Rhett Butler's People is better than MOST James Patterson books. But that is not a high standard to reach.

The first chapters are confusing, to say the least. Author McCaig employs an annoying technique of putting characters together and then not clearly letting the reader know which character is speaking. The conversation in the carriage as Rhett is heading for duel (can you have a more cliqued opening for a Southern novel?) is bewildering because you cannot figure who is saying what.

And for a novel that is written by a man about a supposed REAL man, the prose is overwrought, dainty and laughable. "The frosty Milkyway stretched across the heavens to the horizon where it drowned in the ruddy penumbra of guns." WHAT?

But gradually, the real awful nature of this book comes clear: McCaig has decided that it was his job to update Rhett's reputation for modern, politically correct sensibilities. There are two Rhetts in this story - Margaret Mitchell's Rhett, and the new, GQ Rhett that McCaig is trying to re-invent. It should have been titled Rhett Redeux. Who knew Rhett Butler was a 19th century animal activist, concerned about the mating habits of loggerhead turtles? Too bad this Rhett didn't have the chance to meet Charleston writer named Mary Alice Monroe who can't help inserting loggerhead turtles into her books. They would have conducted a torrid affair, sitting on the dark beach at night having orgasms while the turtles lumber in-and-out of the surf.

In an interview in the New York Times, McCaig admits that he had never read GWTW when he was approached to pen a "sequel." When he did finally read it, he pronounced everything but the Civil War bits as "Oh dear." What else do you need to know?

Stay away from this revisionist crap. Margaret Mitchell's estate is 0 for 2. Scarlett was long, boring and tedious; Rhett Butler's People is a poorly written fraud. The Margaret Mitchell estate should sue itself for this abomination.

BIBLIO SAYS: Stay away as much as possible.

Companion read: Gone With The Wind.