Character Interview: Ruby from Drought by Pam Bachorz

Earlier in the month, I reviewed Drought by Pam Bachorz. Today, I have with me Ruby, the main character from the novel who will share a bit more about herself.


Describe yourself with five words.
Secret. Hungry. Seeker. Survivor. Lonely.

What does a normal day in your life look like?
Every day we work for Darwin West--get up early, find out what the day's quota is, and head into the woods to harvest water. On a good day we get dinner. On a bad day I'm bringing Mama home to heal her from a beating. But lately... lately things have been changing. There's someone special now. Life isn't so... the same. So hard.

Is there a special guy in your life? What's he like?
If Mother or Darwin West found out, we'd be in a world of trouble. But I'll tell you. There's this boy... Ford. He's an Overseer. They guard us and do whatever Darwin West tells them to do. But he's different: kind, and handsome. He hates being an Overseer. And he loves being with me. We've been stealing time in the woods. It's the best part of my day, when I see him.

If there's one thing you could change in your past, what would it be?
I'd stop my father from disappearing. If he'd been here, maybe the church never would've chased my family out of Hoosick Falls. Maybe Darwin West wouldn't have followed us and made us his slaves. We all pray to my father everyday to come back and save us, but he never comes. Not yet, at least.

What is your dream for the future?
I want all the Congregants to be free. Free to live however they want--and I want to be a modern girl. I want modern clothes, and a modern house, and a chance to be with Ford like a modern girl might be. I want a chance to be something besides Darwin's slave.

Thank you Ruby for answering my questions.