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schwambibambi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had a hard time reading this. It took me almost 2 whole years to finish and a lot of other books in between to not make me hate reading. Also, I have the very first German edition from 1937, so the N-word is used, which threw me off at the beginning. On to the plot:
I hated Scarlett whith a passion from the start. She is the definition of self-centered, not empathetic and cruel. The way she played with the men that desired her is like a cat playing with a half dead mouse out of boredom. Her obsession with Ashley was really interesting though, since I know the feeling of not understanding someone and the desire to do so, but she then went on to resent that part of him. So no sympathy points for her. Her character development was also not really there until the last 5 pages or so...
She also treated Melly like trash, although she was the most kind-hearted person I know. Melly really is an inspiration for empathy, forgiveness and blind trust. She deserved to be treated better than what Scarlett did to her, whishing that she died in childbirth and wanting to steal her husband. Since I know a Melanie in real life that I don't like, I immediatly hopped onto the Melly-hating bus Scarlett started, but I grew to love as much as Scarlett did, but I realised it earlier. I think Mellly is a character I'll keep in mind and think of when I need to be empathetic.
Rhett was a wild ride. He was over 30 years old when they first met and immediatly fell in love with her, so he's a predator. That out of the way, I liked him. Yes, he was also really cruel, but he gave Scarlett so many chances. He helped her so much (and she appreciated none of that), I genuenly wished for him to be happy. At first, I thought he was joking when he said he wanted to leave Scarlett, but when I realised he wasn't, I understood. I was still sad, but also content that he found a way to happy, even when it didn't involve Scarlett (which is probably for the better).
To the setting: the war was brutal. It is still romanticised, since the perspective of Scarlett and her environment were pro-slavery. The KKK and her 2nd husband's involvement in it were obviously romanticised, too. I don't know enough about the Reconstruction to judge that, but it felt realistic from a Southerner's perspective.
A short rant: Margaret Mitchell did corsets so dirty. They weren't at all like she described them. The were comfortable and fit like a second skin to you. If you want to learn more, I recommend Bernadette Banner or Karolina Zebrowska on YouTube.
She also treated Melly like trash, although she was the most kind-hearted person I know. Melly really is an inspiration for empathy, forgiveness and blind trust. She deserved to be treated better than what Scarlett did to her, whishing that she died in childbirth and wanting to steal her husband. Since I know a Melanie in real life that I don't like, I immediatly hopped onto the Melly-hating bus Scarlett started, but I grew to love as much as Scarlett did, but I realised it earlier. I think Mellly is a character I'll keep in mind and think of when I need to be empathetic.
Rhett was a wild ride. He was over 30 years old when they first met and immediatly fell in love with her, so he's a predator. That out of the way, I liked him. Yes, he was also really cruel, but he gave Scarlett so many chances. He helped her so much (and she appreciated none of that), I genuenly wished for him to be happy. At first, I thought he was joking when he said he wanted to leave Scarlett, but when I realised he wasn't, I understood. I was still sad, but also content that he found a way to happy, even when it didn't involve Scarlett (which is probably for the better).
To the setting: the war was brutal. It is still romanticised, since the perspective of Scarlett and her environment were pro-slavery. The KKK and her 2nd husband's involvement in it were obviously romanticised, too. I don't know enough about the Reconstruction to judge that, but it felt realistic from a Southerner's perspective.
A short rant: Margaret Mitchell did corsets so dirty. They weren't at all like she described them. The were comfortable and fit like a second skin to you. If you want to learn more, I recommend Bernadette Banner or Karolina Zebrowska on YouTube.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Miscarriage
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