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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second time reading Gone with the Wind. The first time, I was young and naive, and I don't think I fully grasped what I was reading. This time, I found the blatant racism difficult to ignore, as enslaved people are portrayed as loyal, simple, and content with their lives in bondage. The novel completely overlooks the brutality of slavery, instead presenting the Southern way of life as a tragic loss rather than something that was rightfully dismantled.
Despite this, the book is well-crafted in terms of storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. Margaret Mitchell creates a compelling narrative with vivid descriptions, complex characters, and a rich historical backdrop. Her writing is accessible yet detailed, and she skillfully captures the chaos of war and personal struggle. Set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, the novel focuses on Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong and multifaceted heroine driven by resilience, vanity, and ambition. Her unrelenting love for Ashley Wilkes and her complex relationship with the cynical Rhett Butler form the emotional core of the story.
Despite this, the book is well-crafted in terms of storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. Margaret Mitchell creates a compelling narrative with vivid descriptions, complex characters, and a rich historical backdrop. Her writing is accessible yet detailed, and she skillfully captures the chaos of war and personal struggle. Set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, the novel focuses on Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong and multifaceted heroine driven by resilience, vanity, and ambition. Her unrelenting love for Ashley Wilkes and her complex relationship with the cynical Rhett Butler form the emotional core of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, War
I am in awe. Completely blown away. Speechless. GWTW is everything they say it is, and even more. I couldn't write a proper review even if I tried
Yes, it is a very long book but historical fiction is my favorite genre and this is an amazing read!! Highly recommend if you have never read it!
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Working on a project, didn’t hate it didn’t love it. No story needs to be 1009+ pages. I thought I was gonna hate Scarlett but I kinda wanna be her (minus the whole slave owner thing)
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gone with the Wind holds an undeniable place in the American literary canon, but it is also a deeply troubling book. It romanticizes the antebellum South, portraying it not as a society built on slavery, but as a noble, lost way of life. Its depiction of Black characters relies heavily on harmful stereotypes, replacing the realities of slavery with myths of loyalty and contentment. It’s not an honest portrayal of history, it is a reflection of the myths the South told itself and, in many ways, continues to tell. That said, I did find the book incredibly engaging. The storytelling is immersive and the scale of the novel is impressive. The pacing kept me hooked, and Scarlett O’Hara is one of the most compellingly flawed characters I’ve read. I didn’t like her, but I couldn’t look away. I would not recommend this book uncritically, but I do think it is worth reading with a thoughtful and informed perspective.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Margaret Mitchell beautifully depicts the Reconstruction period of the South through the lens of a white Southern woman. As I was reading this book, I was constantly asking myself why was this book on the banned list and how as a society have we changed. When I carried around the book in public, I was able to gauge in fruitful conversation with friends, family, and strangers about the book and its contents. This book glossies over hard topics- such as lyncing, the KKK, and slavery- while glorifying the South and the Confederacy; which makes sense if the main characters are plantation owners. I believe that its fruitful to remember that slavery is written in America's history and at one point of time, people hated the idea of former slaves having the same rights and freedoms they did. We must remember our past in order to create a better future. However, I also think that this book serves as a reminder to us all to question if we, as a society, have changed at all? I truly think that we still are hateful to one another- whether it's looking down on those who are less fortunate or less able than we are. It starts with one person to change that narrative, and Melanie (despite her faults) serves as a character reminder that we don't need a lot in life to give a lot. I hope that this book can be a reminder to us all to love others well and change the narrative that America was built upon.
fast-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