Rhett Butler's People

I’m the first to admit that I am a hopeless romantic who swoons when Rhett Butler sweeps Scarlett up the stairs in Gone With the Wind. No matter how many times I’ve read the book or seen the movie, my heart always aches as Butler declares how he doesn’t give a damn. Yet I have never read Scarlett or cared to find out what happens after he closes that door. Part of the joy of Gone With the Wind is that there is no real happy ending, except the determined declaration of Scarlett O’Hara. Mitchell, though besiged by many to write a sequal, always refused because (I like to believe) she realized that’s one reason the story is so magical.

It is in this capacity where Rhett Butler’s People fails as an appropriate companion to Gone show more With the Wind. The novel is excellent as it weaves the story of Rhett Butler, a character whose past is mostly cloudy in the original novel. McCaig does an excellent job of introducing and fleshing out addition characters that were only mentioned briefly by Mitchell, such as Rosemary Butler, while at the same time giving the reader a glimpse of the motivations that drive such a complicated character like Rhett Butler. McCaig sticks closely to Mitchell’s novel, sometimes replicated dialogue word for word.

The problems begin though when he continues past Rhett’s famous last line, and tries to imagine what happens past the closed door. The most glaring fault of McCaig is his depiction of Scarlett, who he waters down into what he probably feels is a likeable character. That’s the problem though: we aren’t suppose to like Scarlett. We may admire her, we are definitely frustrated with her, but we aren’t suppose to love her. She is a difficult woman, but Rhett Butler wouldn’t have her any other way and neither would the reader. McCaig’s protrayal of her in the last hundred pages is laughable, and not even remotely close to the character Mitchell created. In the end, I’d rather take getting my heart broken again by the thought of Rhett and Scarlett not together. Though an enjoyable novel on its own merits, I would only recommend it to a select few people. show less

Authorized by Margaret Mitchell’s estate, Rhett Butler’s People parallels that Great American Novel, Gone With the Wind – told from Rhett Buter’s point of view. Let’s be clear that this is NOT Gone With the Wind. But it’s a good read. I enjoyed McCaig’s storytelling, and his rendering of Rhett’s upbringing and youth; and later: renegade, outcast, rebel, gambler, lover, Southerner. And it was nice to know that some things don’t change:

“You will do what Charleston ladies do. Presented with mulatto children who resemble their husbands like peas in a pod; awakened by their husbands’ drunken footfalls approaching their bed you will do that Charleston ladies have always done: you will fix a smile on your face and pretend show more that God’s in Head heavens and nothing – absolutely nothing – is wrong in His world.” (83)

Guardedly recommended. If you’re a reader who dislikes sequels, prequels, and collaborations, pass on this one. If, on the other hand, you can get past that, take Rhett Butler’s People for what it is, and enjoy a bit more of “the greatest love story ever told”– well, you might just pass some pleasant hours between these covers. I did. show less

I have been an enormous fan of Gone with the Wind since I first saw the movie and then realized after reading the book how much had been missing, so when I saw this book on the Library shelves, and saw that it was authorized by the Margaret Mitchell estate, I had to read it. I'm certainly glad I did. All those nagging questions that made me read and re-read GWTW, were finally answered to my satisfaction and delight.

This is the story based on the character Rhett Butler from Gone of the Wind. Rhett is the same dashing, witty, rogue who scandalizes Atlanta and yet manages to win every lady's heart. In GWTW, Rhett just appears at the Wilkes Barbecue at Twelve Oaks, and then proceeds to get involved with all the characters of that book. This show more book which runs concurrently with GWTW answers all the behind the scenes questions that are just innuendos there.

Why was Rhett at the BBQ, how did he know the Wilkes', why was he 'not received' in Charleston homes even his own, what's his relationship with Belle Waitling? All these questions and so many more are detailed and explained through a riveting and poignant love story that is seen in a new light.

It's as if Donald McCaig, the author, sat down with Margaret Mitchell and said, I don't understand this point in GWTW, how did this happen and she explained it - every last detail. This book is so intertwined with the story of Scarlett & Rhett that you'd think that there would be no room for anyone else, but no Mr. McCaig (amazing that a man can write with such feeling) manages to tell the tales of not just Scarlett and Rhett, but his sister Rosemary, his friends, Melanie and Ashley, and even Belle Waitiling.

I can understand if some Southerners do not feel that their area came off in a good light in this book, however, since Mr. McCaig was dealing with pre-existing characters and events, it would have been extremely bad form to try to change them beyond how they were originally written. I have read other sequels and they did not appear to be as well researched or written as this book when laid alongside of Margaret Mitchell's original masterpiece. Obviously, Donald McCaig studied and I definitely mean studied GWTW to find all the tiny incidents that reference Rhett, his family and his character so that he could expound on them and broaden Rhett's persona to where it would rival Scarlett. They truly were a pair that belonged together. This book, IMHO,in the same regard, belongs with Gone With The Wind. show less

Rhett Butler’s People, the fully authorized prequel/sequel, to Gone with the Wind gives us the story from Rhett Butler’s perspective. McCaig invents the backstory that shapes Rhett–the family black sheep and Southern “almost-but-not-quite” gentleman. Readers get the inside look at how and why Rhett starts, stops, and starts giving a damn. The story also provides justifications for the details that mar Rhett’s character in the original (for example, Rhett’s purported illegitimate son, his arrest for killing a black man, his Klan involvement).

Rhett Butler’s People narrates not just the story of Rhett and Scarlet but also the stories of others whose lives are connected with Rhett’s life. His beloved sister Rosemary, his show more illegitimate son in New Orleans Tazewell Watling, his free black friend Tunis Bonneau, his schoolmate turned rogue and war hero Andrew Ravanel, and others get expanded space to tell their own stories in McCaig’s novel.

Rhett Butler’s People also covers a wider time frame than Gone With the Wind. We are privy to Rhett’s childhood on a rice plantation before the war begins, his experiences as a blockade runner and soldier during the war, and his life in the Reconstruction Era after the war. All this leads up to choices that he and Scarlett are faced with regarding helping to reconstruct not only their beloved South and also with whether or not to bother reconstructing their relationship.

Overall, reading Rhett Butler’s People provides an entertaining and informative look into the Civil War Era, although, compared with Gone with the Wind, it does give short shrift to the Rhett and Scarlett saga. Still, those who enjoy US historical fiction may find it well worth taking a second look at a long ago damned love story with its added look into the war.

For other modern works that have taken alternative looks at old classics try March by Geraldine Brooks (Little Women) and Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (Jane Eyre). For another alternative look at Gone with the Wind, try The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall. show less

Ultimately disappointing. While it was pleasant to spend time with some beloved characters, this author manages to make them shallower, smaller, and more petty than we know them to be from the original story. Most of the book harmlessly fills in small gaps and scenes left open in GWTW, but then he tacks on a contrived happy ending that cheapens the overall story.

I have also read Alexandra Ripley's Scarlett, which did a much better job of keeping the spirit of the characters intact, and managed to realistically portray them as they mature.

I am not going to read McCaig's book about Mammy; after having read this one I'm not sure he can be trusted with a grand character like hers. He already drastically changed her storyline in this book, show more and managed to diminish her as a central figure.

GWTW is in my top 5 all time favorites, and I expect authors to tread this territory carefully. show less

I haven’t read Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, but I have seen the movie (I know, *scoff*). I acknowledge that there are probably significant differences between the book and movie but in a way it worked in my favor. It allowed there to be a number of surprises in Rhett Butler's People.

Somewhat to my surprise, I really enjoyed Rhett Butler's People! It was cool to gain insights as to Rhett's youth. At certain points, familiar events would pop up that would make me smile. For example, Rhett is waiting on a train and has a conversation with a friend:

"Have you anything on this afternoon? Wouldn't you like a day in the country? John Wilkes's son is getting engaged and John is hosting a barbeque. Everyone is invited. Twelve Oaks show more hospitality..."

As soon as it hit that line I knew Scarlett was soon to enter the picture! The story was both romantic and thought-provoking. You follow Rhett's pursuit of Scarlett, his involvement in the Civil War, his opinions on slavery and the KKK, and more! Not only do you follow along with Rhett, but anyone who is part of his life, ranging from his younger sister to his lady friend Belle Watling. Following the highs and the lows of Rhett's life, one can't help but become emotionally attached to the characters! I learned things about characters that I would never have expected, and developed a whole new appreciation for some of the characters. When I saw Gone With the Wind, I totally just saw Belle as Rhett’s hooker friend. After Rhett Butler's People, I really feel for the woman!

If you enjoyed either the book or the movie Gone With the Wind, I highly recommend this book! I thought it would seem a bit redundant, but it was actually a lot of fun to read! I won't give away the end, but I personally thought it was well written. I think Donald McCaig did justice to Margaret Mitchell and I think she would approve of his work. Check it out some time! show less

Cathecarte Puryear blinked. "You are a natural philosopher?"

The boy dismissed that possibility. "No, sir. I'm a renegade."

The characters from Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind are some of my all time favorites. With the upcoming release of Donald McCaig's book focusing on Mammy I decided to finally read the authorized sequels/companion books of GWTW, which I had previously been wary to read. I wasn't a big fan of Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley but I did end up enjoying this book much more than Scarlett.

This book shows vastly different sides to some of the characters of GWTW. While I didn't quite agree with McCaig's portrayals of certain characters (mostly Melanie) I did understand why he portrayed them as he did and didn't think show more that they were too outlandish. I loved the mix between old and new characters and found the plot lines regarding both as equally interesting.

If you loved the hard and strong Rhett Butler of GWTW then you might be a bit taken aback by the Rhett Butler of this book. Personally, I enjoyed getting to see a different and softer side to Rhett. I liked getting to read McCaig's version of Rhett's childhood and seeing how McCaig thought Rhett was driven to become the man he was.

Overall I thought that this book did a good job at staying true to the characters and spirit of GWTW, with a few exceptions. McCaig did a great job at not making anything be too over-the-top. I look forward to reading McCaig's book on Mammy. show less