In, The road home (Bethany House, 2007), Tommy Tenney & Mark Andrew Olsen have done a great job of retelling the Biblical story of Ruth in a modern setting. In doing this they had to overcome some gaps in the original story as well as create a modern parallel. In the Biblical account we are not given background information about Naomi, Ruth, Orpah or Boaz so the authors have created believable histories for these people, though in my opinion, perhaps slightly inaccurate. (In the biblical account it would appear that Ruth had a family to go back to, but in this retelling she has lost contact with her parents.) However overlooking these small discrepancies, the authors have created a great story full of drama and intrigue.
Ruth and Naomi’s journey to Bethlehem is portrayed as a road trip across America from Moab, Utah to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A long and dangerous journey for two women with few resources which is, of course, exactly what it was in the original account. It is during the journey that we hear these women exchange confidences and build a strong relationship. Their new life in Pennsylvania is also not without its difficulties but with Boaz on the scene a good outcome is assured!
