Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genres: Biographical Fiction, Indigenous History, Political Drama
Themes: Cultural Survival, Identity, Betrayal, Colonialism, Education, Family, Resistance, Love and Loss
Review of Red Clay, Running Waters
A piercing journey into the heart of a family—and a nation—on the edge of erasure.
History Is Not Past—It’s a Mirror
In every generation, there’s a story that manages to capture a seismic shift in the soul of a nation. This is one of them. Red Clay, Running Waters isn’t just historical fiction; it’s a pulse-check on national identity, told through the eyes and spirit of the Ridge family—key figures in the history of the Cherokee Nation.
Through Sarah and John Ridge, Leslie K. Simmons gives voice to the enduring tension between survival and principle. This book doesn’t just walk through history—it drags you through it, letting red clay cling to your boots.
Education, a Double-Edged Blade
John Ridge, also known as Skaleeloskee, is a young Cherokee sent north for schooling—a decision laced with hope, pride, and foreboding. His story is one of the earliest and most vivid portrayals of cultural assimilation, education, and resistance in the 19th-century.
Interestingly, anthropologists and historians alike note that education has often been used as both a tool of empowerment and a weapon of colonization. This novel brings that tension to life, showing how John’s journey is both enlightening and deeply alienating. Imagine learning Latin poetry while strangers call your family savages—what do you internalize, and what do you fight to retain?
The Quiet Thunder of Sarah Ridge
While much attention is given to John, it is Sarah, his wife, who functions as the emotional epicenter of the novel. Her internal monologue—especially in the novel’s opening chapter—feels like a whispered epilogue to a century of betrayal. And yet, her grief is universal: anyone who’s lost a partner or watched a family pulled by opposing forces will feel the weight of her words.
A Setting So Rich, You Can Smell the Firewood
You don’t just read this book—you feel the sleet, hear the organ in the Moravian church, smell the burning red clay, and see the early cities through Indigenous eyes. Simmons’ research is so immersive it’s practically ethnographic. This isn’t a Hollywood version of history—it’s a detailed, reverent reconstruction.
The use of real historical figures (like Major Ridge and John Ridge), their complex choices, and their tragic legacy surrounding the Cherokee removal, including the Trail of Tears, are rendered without simplification or sensationalism. The result is a work that belongs on both fiction shelves and educational reading lists.
Who Will Appreciate This Book?
This is for readers who value depth, nuance, and the richness of truth. Think fans of Barbara Kingsolver, Hilary Mantel, or those who were moved by Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
It’s probably not for readers looking for fast-paced plots or clear-cut heroes and villains. This book makes you think, ache, and wrestle with uncomfortable questions—like what it means to “progress” in a system designed to erase you.
Content Consideration
Content Warning: Includes themes of systemic racism, genocide, slavery, and cultural erasure. While handled thoughtfully and responsibly, younger or sensitive readers may need guidance.
Final Thoughts
There’s a Cherokee proverb that says, “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” In Red Clay, Running Waters, yesterday is today. This book is a mirror that challenges readers to see how history echoes through families, laws, land—and language.
In Simmons’ hands, the past isn’t dead. It’s not even past. And that makes all the difference.
Book Excellence Award
The book is a recipient of the Book Excellence Award, which celebrates literary achievement, creativity, and impact. More than just a mark of quality, the award honors books that inspire, inform, and transform readers across the globe. Winners are chosen for their exceptional storytelling, compelling voice, and professional presentation. Earning a Book Excellence Award signifies not only outstanding craftsmanship but also meaningful contribution to the literary world.
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