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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Re-reading this one for the next Classics discussion.
I can still remember when I read this for the first time. I was 9 and every year it played at the local theater (the movie). This was before DVDs and multiple cable channels that replay every classic weekly it seems. I wanted desperately to go see it, but Mom wouldn't take me unless I read the book. It took me months, but I did it. And loved it! It remains one of my favorites (both the book and the movie) and I re-read it every several years.
I can still remember when I read this for the first time. I was 9 and every year it played at the local theater (the movie). This was before DVDs and multiple cable channels that replay every classic weekly it seems. I wanted desperately to go see it, but Mom wouldn't take me unless I read the book. It took me months, but I did it. And loved it! It remains one of my favorites (both the book and the movie) and I re-read it every several years.
4.5 stars. This is an incredible, gut wrenching book that speaks volumes of the era and culture of the South around the civil war. It's horrifying on several levels from racism to straight up fucked up personalities, and had me so engrossed throughout the entire length of the book. The romantic perspective on southern culture and how men and women were supposed to behave brought cognitive dissonance given the huge progress in empowering people to think for themselves (men and women). Scarlett running a successful business was crazy and she overcame serious obstacles to do so.
Having grown up watching the movie, I didn't expect to be surprised but oh how I was surprised! The movie definitely left out quite a bit, especially the background details and a few characters. Plus, the characters of the book are so much more nuanced and complex in the book. Scarlett and Rhett were so much deeper than I remembered from the movie and even watching it again, the movie leaves me wanting. If you're not a fan of the movie, you may still enjoy the book.
Having grown up watching the movie, I didn't expect to be surprised but oh how I was surprised! The movie definitely left out quite a bit, especially the background details and a few characters. Plus, the characters of the book are so much more nuanced and complex in the book. Scarlett and Rhett were so much deeper than I remembered from the movie and even watching it again, the movie leaves me wanting. If you're not a fan of the movie, you may still enjoy the book.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
My heart is broken.
I read this book when I was 13, over Christmas break. It was the first time I stayed up all night to read a book! I recall finding some of the war/history detail a little long and dull, but otherwise was enthralled. When I saw the movie version, I was so disappointed! That was the moment when I understood the difference between reading a good book and simply watching the movie version, no matter how well made.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Continuing on my spring break vein of reading "books I should have read years ago and never did", I just read Gone With the Wind for the first time. I haven't even ever seen the movie! (That will soon be rectified too). I enjoyed reading this book most of the time-- although I am not sure I consider it a literary masterpiece. It is a very character-driven novel, and they are truly remarkable characters. However, I found it also to be incredibly disturbing and depressing.
All time great
This book is an all time great. Maddening but a great piece of literature. I am surprise the author did not have more books to her name as well known as this one.
This book is an all time great. Maddening but a great piece of literature. I am surprise the author did not have more books to her name as well known as this one.
I finished Gone With the Wind today, and WOW. The audiobook performance was fantastic in addition to the story. I’m not so naïve to not recognize the book’s flaws. It glorifies and romanticizes the antebellum south and treats black people as either silly children who need to be governed or as savages. And the racist and derogatory language that is tossed around made me flinch on several occasions and just take a break all together for a short while. I’m not apologizing or making excuses for any of those issues. Racism, slavery, the KKK — it’s all inexcusable hate and cannot be justified. But it existed and it existed at the time involved in this story. In fact, it played a critical role.
Scarlett is a survivor. She’s full of grit and determined to make her way in the world. She’s also deeply flawed and, frankly, a selfish and miserable human being. But some people are like that. Focusing the book around Mellie would not have been nearly as entertaining. Rhett is also a scoundrel and that’s what makes the passion between Scarlett and Rhett so fascinating. Ashley is mashed potatoes, and we all do love a nice side of mashed potatoes at dinner, but it’s not the main feature. I loved the story, the characters, the history, and the incredibly descriptive and immersive way they were portrayed in the novel. Some may disagree, but for me, the ending was perfect. We see Scarlett struggle and succeed so often in the book that, without getting into spoilers, I think the ending could not have been more fitting.
Scarlett is a survivor. She’s full of grit and determined to make her way in the world. She’s also deeply flawed and, frankly, a selfish and miserable human being. But some people are like that. Focusing the book around Mellie would not have been nearly as entertaining. Rhett is also a scoundrel and that’s what makes the passion between Scarlett and Rhett so fascinating. Ashley is mashed potatoes, and we all do love a nice side of mashed potatoes at dinner, but it’s not the main feature. I loved the story, the characters, the history, and the incredibly descriptive and immersive way they were portrayed in the novel. Some may disagree, but for me, the ending was perfect. We see Scarlett struggle and succeed so often in the book that, without getting into spoilers, I think the ending could not have been more fitting.