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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow! I loved this book. It started out making me feel a little strange because of all the racist language used but ultimately I found myself understanding the South more (or at least the South portrayed in this book). At the end I could just shake Scarlett for ruining everything but I guess if she were a real character that's the way she made most people feel. I guess we all have a little Scarlett in us when we really want to be more like Ellen or Melly. I love reading about the south and would love to read some others about the civil war. Especially some with more historical correctness: Roots? Uncle Toms Cabin? George Washington Carver?
OK, I have a confession to make, when I was a teen, I was OBSESSED with Gone With The Wind. I stayed up late one night and watched the movie version on TCM, and I instantly fell in love. So of course I immediately checked out the book from my local library.The movie is great, but I loved the book even more. Gone With The Wind is an epic story about love and loss, set during and after the American Civil War. What makes it truly memorable, and the main reason that I love it so, is the main character, Scarlett O'Hara.
I know this sounds weird, because many people hate Scarlett, as a person and as a female lead character. They think she is spoiled, conniving and childish. And she is,but that's why I love her so as a character, she is unapologetic about who she is. Scarlett lives during a time where women held very little power in society, yet she becomes a successful business woman. When the Civil War decimates everything she knows and loves, she perseveres and rebuilds her home from ruin. Scarlett is a strong, flawed character, whom I found totally fascinating.
You can't talk about Gone With The Wind and Scarlett O'Hara without mentioning Rhett Butler. Rhett's love for Scarlett makes this story into a tragedy. These two strong willed characters hid there true feelings from one another until it's to late. When I first read this book I couldn't believe that two people could be so blind, and it infuriated me when I came to the end of the story. I like to think that the story does have a happy ending for Scarlett and Rhett, and not mention the so called "sequel" that was released.
I would highly suggest reading the book, which is rich in detail and character development. I should warn you that this is a hefty size book, with a little over a thousand pages. If your willing to commit though, I'm sure you will enjoy this beautifully written historic epic.
I know this sounds weird, because many people hate Scarlett, as a person and as a female lead character. They think she is spoiled, conniving and childish. And she is,but that's why I love her so as a character, she is unapologetic about who she is. Scarlett lives during a time where women held very little power in society, yet she becomes a successful business woman. When the Civil War decimates everything she knows and loves, she perseveres and rebuilds her home from ruin. Scarlett is a strong, flawed character, whom I found totally fascinating.
You can't talk about Gone With The Wind and Scarlett O'Hara without mentioning Rhett Butler. Rhett's love for Scarlett makes this story into a tragedy. These two strong willed characters hid there true feelings from one another until it's to late. When I first read this book I couldn't believe that two people could be so blind, and it infuriated me when I came to the end of the story. I like to think that the story does have a happy ending for Scarlett and Rhett, and not mention the so called "sequel" that was released.
I would highly suggest reading the book, which is rich in detail and character development. I should warn you that this is a hefty size book, with a little over a thousand pages. If your willing to commit though, I'm sure you will enjoy this beautifully written historic epic.
Never have I felt so immersed in a story.
My head and my heart are heavy now that I've finished this.
My head and my heart are heavy now that I've finished this.
Fuck this shit. I rarely hate things out of hand, but Gone With the Wind is just the goddamned worst.
I didn't want it to end! I think I could have read Gone With The Wind for hundreds more pages.
Mitchell's command of characters and character development is truly astounding. She knows her characters inside and out, how they feel, how they will act, how they think. How complex and dastardly Rhett is yet how powerfully he can love. She can make you detest, pity, yet love Scarlett. Contempt for Scarlett grows and grows throughout the book. She holds others in contempt and everyone is lesser than herself - yet she herself fairs to be held in contempt.
Melanie Whilkes is a character I deeply admire. It would have been exceedingly difficult to create a character so prone to being "too good", too "Mary Sue" - but there she is, admirable, full of goodness and loyalty. Absolutely one of my favourite characters from this book.
The end of the book came in like a whirlwind, events tumbling into one another and life and its horrors pouring themselves on Scarlett. The film leaves so many questions, and while the book ends in exactly the same spot, I am left with no doubts. Scarlett will build herself back up. She will continue to shoulder burdens to heavy for Ashley and her family. I believe she will get Rhett back, but not through any of her old ways. I can almost clearly see her development continuing from here, to become stronger and pick up qualities that Melanie left to her.
Mitchell's command of characters and character development is truly astounding. She knows her characters inside and out, how they feel, how they will act, how they think. How complex and dastardly Rhett is yet how powerfully he can love. She can make you detest, pity, yet love Scarlett. Contempt for Scarlett grows and grows throughout the book. She holds others in contempt and everyone is lesser than herself - yet she herself fairs to be held in contempt.
Melanie Whilkes is a character I deeply admire. It would have been exceedingly difficult to create a character so prone to being "too good", too "Mary Sue" - but there she is, admirable, full of goodness and loyalty. Absolutely one of my favourite characters from this book.
The end of the book came in like a whirlwind, events tumbling into one another and life and its horrors pouring themselves on Scarlett. The film leaves so many questions, and while the book ends in exactly the same spot, I am left with no doubts. Scarlett will build herself back up. She will continue to shoulder burdens to heavy for Ashley and her family. I believe she will get Rhett back, but not through any of her old ways. I can almost clearly see her development continuing from here, to become stronger and pick up qualities that Melanie left to her.
It's a shame, because this book would easily be 5 stars if it wasn't so unspeakably racist and completely dishonest about slavery and Reconstruction. Black people are compared to children and apes throughout. Slavery was actually good for the slaves. Evil Republicans allowed the rape of white women with impunity just because they were evil. Incompetent black legislators "spent most of their time eating goobers and easing their unaccustomed feet into and out of new shoes." And much, much more.
I absolutely loved this book. I would never have thought it would even slightly interest me, but I was so wrong - it’s now one of my favorite books.