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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I never much cared for the movie. Scarlett's self-obsessed fixation on Ashley (another woman's husband) never sat well with me. She always felt like an over-dressed simpering child, and I thought that was all the book was about. I didn't have high hopes for it. But being Southern by birth, I felt obligated to read it.
I am very, very glad that I did. There is a reason that Gone with the Wind is a classic. There is so much more to it than Scarlett's need to be the centre of attention, even in the midst of a war. Granted, she still isn't a very likable character, but that is part of the point. Mitchell's ability to make the reader both hate and love Scarlett is part of the wonder of the book. The other characters are well-rounded and engaging. But what I think I loved most was the breathtaking descriptions of the landscapes. I think the land is as much a part of Gone with the Wind as Melanie or Rhett.
On the downside, the depiction of enslaved people as perpetual children can be uncomfortable. In fact, there's just a shit ton of problematicness in the representation that I am not the right person to critique, but I acknowledge exists.
I am very, very glad that I did. There is a reason that Gone with the Wind is a classic. There is so much more to it than Scarlett's need to be the centre of attention, even in the midst of a war. Granted, she still isn't a very likable character, but that is part of the point. Mitchell's ability to make the reader both hate and love Scarlett is part of the wonder of the book. The other characters are well-rounded and engaging. But what I think I loved most was the breathtaking descriptions of the landscapes. I think the land is as much a part of Gone with the Wind as Melanie or Rhett.
On the downside, the depiction of enslaved people as perpetual children can be uncomfortable. In fact, there's just a shit ton of problematicness in the representation that I am not the right person to critique, but I acknowledge exists.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this movie meant a lot to me as it was my Nana's favorite. I vividly remember entering high school and her sitting me down excitedly to share her favorite thing with me at last. since then, we tried to watch it every year together before she died. that was in 2018 and I haven't watched it since.
no idea what possessed me to pick this up, but it is fitting that I finished it on her birthday. maybe the fact her copy of GWTW and her copy of the sequel Scarlett have been sitting on my bookshelf staring at me, waiting to be picked up and enjoyed as much as she did at one point.
therefore, I start this review admitting I have a huge bias and connection to this story, at least to the fond memories of the movie. I will say never in my life have I enjoyed something so much where the main character is just so insufferable and completely unlikable. Scarlett is one of the worst people I have had the "privilege" of watching the story unfold through their eyes. she made me wish she was a real person at times so I could cuss her out and fight her (I am 20 weeks pregnant and would still throw hands). she deserved everything she got in the end, and honestly deserved even more heartache for her actions, psychopathy, selfishness, and for having the emotional intelligence of a squirrel.
the second worst character is Ashley. first of all, a man named Ashley alone would make me scruntch up my nose and gag like a saw shit on the floor, but not Scarlett oh no. she was beyond obsessed. and it took her, what....10+ years to realize she didn't even WANT him. she just obsessed over him because she couldn't have him and mellie whom she deemed beneath her won his love from under Scarletts nose. poor Mellie was literally the only decent character in this entire novel and was constantly used and completely taken advantage of by her best friend and husband. anyways, back to good ol Ashley. Ashley spent his days lusting after this hollow shell of a person just because she was beautiful... compromising his marriage to the best woman in Georgia, let alone probably in the entire south for someone as evil and flakey as Scarlett is beyond my comprehension. Scarlett is not innocent by any means and she got what she deserves in the end, but he should have let her go a long time ago and stopped allowing her to believe there was a chance between them. urgh after how loyal Mellie was to the both of them.... disgusting.
again, all of this aside, you recognize Scarlett for who she is and how she interacts with those around her and you are smitten to watch what she does next, what happens to her next, all with the backdrop of the civil war and reconstruction. its really magnificently written and enjoyable even though you detest just about everyone. I think thats what gives this book it's charm. the time period is abysmal for the south - slavery and war - and the people in this story reflect the southern mindset of the time (or at least I think they do, can't say for sure I was not there). I think I saw someone somewhere reflect that Scarlett is a perfect representation and reflection of the south at this time, and you watch her implode and get what's coming to her like the confederates. i don't know, that comment sat with me and I think it has some merit.
my only real critique of the novel is sometimes, the descriptions and storytelling would DRAG ON. my gosh I really don't think I could have finished parts of this if I didn't have the audiobook to support me. this is one of my first historical fiction novels and the history lessons between the prose was challenging to pay attention to, but in the long run I can see why everything was included.
all in all, the book was fantastic and held up to the movie. both are a full 5 stars from me pal.
no idea what possessed me to pick this up, but it is fitting that I finished it on her birthday. maybe the fact her copy of GWTW and her copy of the sequel Scarlett have been sitting on my bookshelf staring at me, waiting to be picked up and enjoyed as much as she did at one point.
therefore, I start this review admitting I have a huge bias and connection to this story, at least to the fond memories of the movie. I will say never in my life have I enjoyed something so much where the main character is just so insufferable and completely unlikable. Scarlett is one of the worst people I have had the "privilege" of watching the story unfold through their eyes. she made me wish she was a real person at times so I could cuss her out and fight her (I am 20 weeks pregnant and would still throw hands). she deserved everything she got in the end, and honestly deserved even more heartache for her actions, psychopathy, selfishness, and for having the emotional intelligence of a squirrel.
the second worst character is Ashley. first of all, a man named Ashley alone would make me scruntch up my nose and gag like a saw shit on the floor, but not Scarlett oh no. she was beyond obsessed. and it took her, what....10+ years to realize she didn't even WANT him. she just obsessed over him because she couldn't have him and mellie whom she deemed beneath her won his love from under Scarletts nose. poor Mellie was literally the only decent character in this entire novel and was constantly used and completely taken advantage of by her best friend and husband. anyways, back to good ol Ashley. Ashley spent his days lusting after this hollow shell of a person just because she was beautiful... compromising his marriage to the best woman in Georgia, let alone probably in the entire south for someone as evil and flakey as Scarlett is beyond my comprehension. Scarlett is not innocent by any means and she got what she deserves in the end, but he should have let her go a long time ago and stopped allowing her to believe there was a chance between them. urgh after how loyal Mellie was to the both of them.... disgusting.
again, all of this aside, you recognize Scarlett for who she is and how she interacts with those around her and you are smitten to watch what she does next, what happens to her next, all with the backdrop of the civil war and reconstruction. its really magnificently written and enjoyable even though you detest just about everyone. I think thats what gives this book it's charm. the time period is abysmal for the south - slavery and war - and the people in this story reflect the southern mindset of the time (or at least I think they do, can't say for sure I was not there). I think I saw someone somewhere reflect that Scarlett is a perfect representation and reflection of the south at this time, and you watch her implode and get what's coming to her like the confederates. i don't know, that comment sat with me and I think it has some merit.
my only real critique of the novel is sometimes, the descriptions and storytelling would DRAG ON. my gosh I really don't think I could have finished parts of this if I didn't have the audiobook to support me. this is one of my first historical fiction novels and the history lessons between the prose was challenging to pay attention to, but in the long run I can see why everything was included.
all in all, the book was fantastic and held up to the movie. both are a full 5 stars from me pal.
Even though this was quite a long sordid tale I loved every minute of it. I had to read this book for my AP History class junior year of high school and I'm glad I did.
adventurous
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OK, I may give a damn. Surprisingly good (despite its age).
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-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