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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've on-and-off tried to read this for years and finally powered through. It was difficult for me to keep reading about Scarlett - as a deeply devoted character-development person, she didn't give me much to hang on for. And I'm interested in the idea of exploring the failures of Reconstruction, but maybe in a way that wasn't racist. And I don't mean "black-people-are-evil" racist, but I do mean "black-people-are-intellectually-inferior" racist. Some of those parts really made me want to close the book.
But I am genuinely interested to hear from anyone who liked it. And also would love recommendations of Reconstruction-era fiction and/or non-fiction if you have any!
But I am genuinely interested to hear from anyone who liked it. And also would love recommendations of Reconstruction-era fiction and/or non-fiction if you have any!
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
most horrendously racist book i've had the displeasure of reading yet the interactions between characters make me want to gnaw my arm off.
Every time I read this, the more I like it. The only real issue I have with it is the portrayal of race relations and slavery - important to keep in mind that it is a very particular viewpoint. But if you look past that, you get a really good book - it is refreshing to have a villain like Scarlett as a main character, even though I still feel sorry for her. I have absolutely no doubt that she gets her happy ending eventually though.
So when I picked up this book, it had a hot red cover with ripped shirts and rippling muscles. The back of the book say "best love story of our time". I had seen the movie as a kid (and hated it), so I knew about the whole Rhett Butler saga.
I have to say, as usual, the book is much better then the movie. For one, while Scarlett has a ton of whiney internal dialogue, she doesn't say much of it outloud. I feel like if I read this book from anyone else's perspective, I would of though of Scarlett as cold, distant and driven. Probably would of strait up loved her. And to be fair, living through what she did, I'm not surprised she has a lot to complain about.
Also, there really isn't much of a love story in this book - she thinks she's in love with Ashley,but really, I think it's just a crush or the love of friendship. She does love Melly (although it takes her most of the book to know it). She doesn't love her first two husbands, but develops a respect for Frank. Brett and her are really a couple out of time. Of they were a modern couple, I doubt things would of gotten that bad because they wouldn't have been so socially limited. They would of had an upbringing they supported the idea of clear communication, respect and boundaries. Plus they could have sex without making babies ;)
I also sorta believe Scatlett and Rett's marriage isn't over, I just think they're going to come back together slowly and on a foundation without lies.
I have to say, as usual, the book is much better then the movie. For one, while Scarlett has a ton of whiney internal dialogue, she doesn't say much of it outloud. I feel like if I read this book from anyone else's perspective, I would of though of Scarlett as cold, distant and driven. Probably would of strait up loved her. And to be fair, living through what she did, I'm not surprised she has a lot to complain about.
Also, there really isn't much of a love story in this book - she thinks she's in love with Ashley,but really, I think it's just a crush or the love of friendship. She does love Melly (although it takes her most of the book to know it). She doesn't love her first two husbands, but develops a respect for Frank. Brett and her are really a couple out of time. Of they were a modern couple, I doubt things would of gotten that bad because they wouldn't have been so socially limited. They would of had an upbringing they supported the idea of clear communication, respect and boundaries. Plus they could have sex without making babies ;)
I also sorta believe Scatlett and Rett's marriage isn't over, I just think they're going to come back together slowly and on a foundation without lies.
This book is a cult classic, for many, many reasons. It is an historical tour de force with compelling and flawed characters. What a beautifully written, transcendent novel. It truly is an epic.
My third time through, but has lost some of the magic for me. Far more racist than I remembered; not just the character’s racism, but the author’s too, with portrayal of black characters as stupid or lazy. I’d loved this book before because of the emotion I felt, but I didn’t connect enough to have that emotional reaction this go round.
If one reads this book as being from the perspective of a Confederate woman, which it is, then it is undeniably stunningly written. The two leads are insufferable in many ways, but Scarlett is still a worthy heroine that is intriguing to read about.
Obviously, the historical context of the book is horribly glossed over and paints the South as being a glorious time, but again, that's what the characters in this book believe. If this book is taught in school, that must be emphasized repeatedly. It is entirely revisionist, fantastical history, not something that should be used to learn about the Civil War and the atrocities of slavery.
Obviously, the historical context of the book is horribly glossed over and paints the South as being a glorious time, but again, that's what the characters in this book believe. If this book is taught in school, that must be emphasized repeatedly. It is entirely revisionist, fantastical history, not something that should be used to learn about the Civil War and the atrocities of slavery.