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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, War
Minor: Rape
I loved this book. All the characters were interesting. It’s a live story with lots of drama.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know exactly what it was about this book that made me love it so much. Was it the history elements, the tragic love? Although I can't put my finger on the exact characteristics that will leave me with a book hangover for years, I do know that this was one tragic story. A tragic story I wasn't expecting. I went into this monster of a novel with only knowing three things: it's about the Civil War, Scarlett is in love with Ashley, and everyone is in love with Scarlett. But this novel is really so much more than that.
*************************************
REREAD 2019: As I’m rereading as of 2019 and taking my time compared to my first reading four years ago, I’ve come to view this story a little differently and realize the nuanced and expertly crafted storytelling (and writing) this novel possesses, specifically in that I now see the overall theme much clearer. Mitchell said, “if the novel has a theme it is that of survival. ... So I wrote about people who had gumption and people who didn’t.” This theme was lost on me on my first reading, perhaps because the story was so new and so much happens that has to be processed. On the surface this is just a love story. But on my reread, I’m finding this theme quite apparent, and it speaks also to a theme about embracing change versus stubbornly keeping to your ways. If you can’t embrace the rapid changes around you, you’ll be lost. You’ll no longer exist. This is apparent with the Old South characters, i.e. the weak Ashley and Melanie, who staunchly uphold the traditions of the Old South, despite this being unproductive and against their best interests. Scarlett and Rhett, on the other hand, are the courageous survivors. They’re able to embrace their changing society and do whatever needs to be done to protect their livelihoods and family, even if this means abandoning the traditions of the South that have been instilled in them for generations. Mitchell may be arguing that the South needs to let go of their frustration and anger that they lost the war and get on with their lives. Even in 2019, there are people in this world (South) who act like the Civil War never ended or that the Civil War didn’t change anything and society goes on as it always has. Well Mitchell’s here to tell those folks to get over it and move on. Because if you don’t, the world will pass you by right before your eyes.
I relate to Scarlett (waaayyy too much). She's supposed to be one of the most hated heroines of literature, but I can't help but compare myself to her and the decisions she made and feel I would make the same choices as her. I relate to most of her attitudes about people, especially when she was trying to survive day-to-day during the war. People would be lying to themselves if they didn't at least understand where Scarlett was coming from. She was the “honest” southerner compared to all the fake people in southern society. I like Melanie a wee bit more this go around, but overall she's very annoying and childlike. Scarlett has a realness to her that I identify with, as much as I may not like to admit it. I feel sorry for Scarlett after she has her "hero's fall." I want it all to work out for her. I can identify with being very stubborn, so stubborn at times to make a point that you end up causing yourself pain, as Scarlett does. I think people can see certain aspects of themselves reflected in Scarlett and don't want to see it, don't want to acknowledge it. Scarlett is tragically human, and that's what makes her compelling.
One interesting final thing to note is the way Mitchell portrays her. At certain points in the story we’re supposed to believe the war made Scarlett what she is by the end of the novel. There are several instances where Scarlett’s behavior is excused because “the war made her this way, blah, blah,” but I beg to differ. At the very beginning, Scarlett was selfish and duplicitous; surviving the war only made her act this way more prominently because she slowly stopped caring to appear the southern belle among society. Is Scarlett a cold hearted bitch though? I think she’s more of an opportunist and took people and their affection and friendship for granted. Scarlett did impulsive things in the moment for the immediate gratification/survival. She never took a second to examine her own feelings and reasons for her actions until it was too late, and that, I believe, is her real fatal flaw.
*************************************
REREAD 2019: As I’m rereading as of 2019 and taking my time compared to my first reading four years ago, I’ve come to view this story a little differently and realize the nuanced and expertly crafted storytelling (and writing) this novel possesses, specifically in that I now see the overall theme much clearer. Mitchell said, “if the novel has a theme it is that of survival. ... So I wrote about people who had gumption and people who didn’t.” This theme was lost on me on my first reading, perhaps because the story was so new and so much happens that has to be processed. On the surface this is just a love story. But on my reread, I’m finding this theme quite apparent, and it speaks also to a theme about embracing change versus stubbornly keeping to your ways. If you can’t embrace the rapid changes around you, you’ll be lost. You’ll no longer exist. This is apparent with the Old South characters, i.e. the weak Ashley and Melanie, who staunchly uphold the traditions of the Old South, despite this being unproductive and against their best interests. Scarlett and Rhett, on the other hand, are the courageous survivors. They’re able to embrace their changing society and do whatever needs to be done to protect their livelihoods and family, even if this means abandoning the traditions of the South that have been instilled in them for generations. Mitchell may be arguing that the South needs to let go of their frustration and anger that they lost the war and get on with their lives. Even in 2019, there are people in this world (South) who act like the Civil War never ended or that the Civil War didn’t change anything and society goes on as it always has. Well Mitchell’s here to tell those folks to get over it and move on. Because if you don’t, the world will pass you by right before your eyes.
I relate to Scarlett (waaayyy too much). She's supposed to be one of the most hated heroines of literature, but I can't help but compare myself to her and the decisions she made and feel I would make the same choices as her. I relate to most of her attitudes about people, especially when she was trying to survive day-to-day during the war. People would be lying to themselves if they didn't at least understand where Scarlett was coming from. She was the “honest” southerner compared to all the fake people in southern society. I like Melanie a wee bit more this go around, but overall she's very annoying and childlike. Scarlett has a realness to her that I identify with, as much as I may not like to admit it. I feel sorry for Scarlett after she has her "hero's fall." I want it all to work out for her. I can identify with being very stubborn, so stubborn at times to make a point that you end up causing yourself pain, as Scarlett does. I think people can see certain aspects of themselves reflected in Scarlett and don't want to see it, don't want to acknowledge it. Scarlett is tragically human, and that's what makes her compelling.
One interesting final thing to note is the way Mitchell portrays her. At certain points in the story we’re supposed to believe the war made Scarlett what she is by the end of the novel. There are several instances where Scarlett’s behavior is excused because “the war made her this way, blah, blah,” but I beg to differ. At the very beginning, Scarlett was selfish and duplicitous; surviving the war only made her act this way more prominently because she slowly stopped caring to appear the southern belle among society. Is Scarlett a cold hearted bitch though? I think she’s more of an opportunist and took people and their affection and friendship for granted. Scarlett did impulsive things in the moment for the immediate gratification/survival. She never took a second to examine her own feelings and reasons for her actions until it was too late, and that, I believe, is her real fatal flaw.
Classic historical fiction. Couldn't wait to get back to reading it (which I haven't experienced for a while).
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Gone With the Wind has got to be the best movie I've ever read. - from my diary on November 8, 1976.