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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
wspaniała…
nie wiem dlaczego czytałam tę książkę tak długo, ale nie żałuję, bo dzięki temu mogłam dłużej poznawać się z losami Scarlett.
poruszyła ona we mnie coś zupełnie nowego i szczerze wątpię czy kiedykolwiek znajdę drugą taką historię, która skłoni mnie do tak dużej ilości refleksji.
nie wiem dlaczego czytałam tę książkę tak długo, ale nie żałuję, bo dzięki temu mogłam dłużej poznawać się z losami Scarlett.
poruszyła ona we mnie coś zupełnie nowego i szczerze wątpię czy kiedykolwiek znajdę drugą taką historię, która skłoni mnie do tak dużej ilości refleksji.
Hardly started this. I didn’t like the language of the Deep South. There are better reads about it, I felt.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**This review contains discussions of slavery, racism, and colonialism that may make readers uncomfortable or should be avoided entirely.**
I read Gone With the Wind wondering if it would give me insight into our current... everything. And, you know, it did. Looking at the culture around this book, it's amazing to me how much America was willing to overlook and romanticize about the Lost Cause in order to cement this novel as a Pulitzer. We loved the idea of Scarlett O'Hara, a fierce teenager-turned-wife and mother at the dawn of the Civil War. We loved the hoop skirts, the culture of Southern gentility which will always be the closest thing we get to English aristocracy. And of course, the iconic moment of Scarlett declaring that with God as her witness, she would never go hungry again. She is such a pillar of American culture: that fierce, unyielding dedication to Tara and an ever-growing list of transgressions and sins to keep what's hers.
Then of course you have Rhett Butler, a scoundrel of the highest degree who matches Scarlett in nearly every fashion, who somehow manages to be a complete idiot about her to the very end.
But oh! All of this founded upon the terrible, unforgivable institution of slavery. The blatant Lost Cause mentality that slaves were manipulated into being unhappy, that they couldn't handle their freedom because they're the classic devil-child stereotype. The way Scarlett speaks about the people who raised her is both loving and completely dehumanizing. She'll defend her people against racist northerners, but fails to grant them equity in any fashion. It was an interesting viewpoint: that white northerners claimed to fight for abolition but inherently disrespected the very people they freed. But it still lands you in the space of, "See? These white folk don't know what's best for you and hate you. WE understand you and would have continued taking care of you, protecting you from yourself AND them." Oh, and the literal KKK? Heroes. If that doesn't tell you where the book's at, what will.
I did learn SO much about the Civil War, the antebellum south, and had fascinating discussions throughout my reading. And like I said in the beginning, this did make me reflect on how much we fantasize and romanticize current political figures, what people are willing to overlook, what people are willing to believe to hang on to a vision of American history that serves them.
The book is well-written (Mitchell is a fantastic writer, no doubt), fast-paced, exciting, and very, very telling of American culture around the Civil War, slavery, and Reconstruction. It is a masterful narrative with insidious charm, revealing just what kind of reader you are when it comes to some very heavy topics. How much are you willing to overlook to enjoy Miss O'Hara? What do you walk away with?
I read Gone With the Wind wondering if it would give me insight into our current... everything. And, you know, it did. Looking at the culture around this book, it's amazing to me how much America was willing to overlook and romanticize about the Lost Cause in order to cement this novel as a Pulitzer. We loved the idea of Scarlett O'Hara, a fierce teenager-turned-wife and mother at the dawn of the Civil War. We loved the hoop skirts, the culture of Southern gentility which will always be the closest thing we get to English aristocracy. And of course, the iconic moment of Scarlett declaring that with God as her witness, she would never go hungry again. She is such a pillar of American culture: that fierce, unyielding dedication to Tara and an ever-growing list of transgressions and sins to keep what's hers.
Then of course you have Rhett Butler, a scoundrel of the highest degree who matches Scarlett in nearly every fashion, who somehow manages to be a complete idiot about her to the very end.
But oh! All of this founded upon the terrible, unforgivable institution of slavery. The blatant Lost Cause mentality that slaves were manipulated into being unhappy, that they couldn't handle their freedom because they're the classic devil-child stereotype. The way Scarlett speaks about the people who raised her is both loving and completely dehumanizing. She'll defend her people against racist northerners, but fails to grant them equity in any fashion. It was an interesting viewpoint: that white northerners claimed to fight for abolition but inherently disrespected the very people they freed. But it still lands you in the space of, "See? These white folk don't know what's best for you and hate you. WE understand you and would have continued taking care of you, protecting you from yourself AND them." Oh, and the literal KKK? Heroes. If that doesn't tell you where the book's at, what will.
I did learn SO much about the Civil War, the antebellum south, and had fascinating discussions throughout my reading. And like I said in the beginning, this did make me reflect on how much we fantasize and romanticize current political figures, what people are willing to overlook, what people are willing to believe to hang on to a vision of American history that serves them.
The book is well-written (Mitchell is a fantastic writer, no doubt), fast-paced, exciting, and very, very telling of American culture around the Civil War, slavery, and Reconstruction. It is a masterful narrative with insidious charm, revealing just what kind of reader you are when it comes to some very heavy topics. How much are you willing to overlook to enjoy Miss O'Hara? What do you walk away with?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War
In 1861, Scarlett O'Hara is the belle of Georgia. Young, passionate and full of life. But when war comes, she is faced with hardships that she never even dreamed possible.
"Hardships make or break people."
Follow Scarlett O'Hara and her family through the destruction and despair of the Civil War and the years that followed in Reconstruction. With the old way of life dead and gone, will she wilt away along with many others of her previous status and class? Or will she find the gumption to press on and strive for survival, no matter the cost? Her love for one man blinds her to the truth about herself and those around her. After everything she has been through, will she lose the one thing she desires above all else?
"After all, tomorrow is another day."
**If you are not familiar with this story please be aware of a few minor spoilers**
I have grown up watching Gone With the Wind, but somehow, I never got around to reading the book. I am happy to check this one off of my "Bucket (Reading) List". Very long, (hence my relative blogging silence) but worth every word. Margaret Mitchell's descriptions are so detailed! I could feel the Southern sun upon my skin and could smell the scent of the magnolias growing around Tara. If you have seen the movie you will know that this is not a happy tale. But there are very valuable lessons to be learned. After reading the last page today, I was thinking about what I wanted to say in my review. And I think that what stood out to me the most, is that sometimes we are so blinded by what we think we want, what we have idolized for so long, that we can not see true happiness when it stares us in the face. There have been times in my life that I wanted my life to go in a particular direction, but the Lord changed my course. For a time it was challenging to see the good in the situation. But I would come to the realization that if I had continued down that path, I would have been miserable. Instead, I am exactly where I need to be and am continuing to learn to put my trust in God, knowing that He knows best and that He is guiding my steps. For all of her faults, Scarlett is a woman I can admire. No matter what life threw at her, she would not let herself be beaten. Her determination for survival drove her to extremes. But survive she did.
"Hardships make or break people."
Follow Scarlett O'Hara and her family through the destruction and despair of the Civil War and the years that followed in Reconstruction. With the old way of life dead and gone, will she wilt away along with many others of her previous status and class? Or will she find the gumption to press on and strive for survival, no matter the cost? Her love for one man blinds her to the truth about herself and those around her. After everything she has been through, will she lose the one thing she desires above all else?
"After all, tomorrow is another day."
**If you are not familiar with this story please be aware of a few minor spoilers**
I have grown up watching Gone With the Wind, but somehow, I never got around to reading the book. I am happy to check this one off of my "Bucket (Reading) List". Very long, (hence my relative blogging silence) but worth every word. Margaret Mitchell's descriptions are so detailed! I could feel the Southern sun upon my skin and could smell the scent of the magnolias growing around Tara. If you have seen the movie you will know that this is not a happy tale. But there are very valuable lessons to be learned. After reading the last page today, I was thinking about what I wanted to say in my review. And I think that what stood out to me the most, is that sometimes we are so blinded by what we think we want, what we have idolized for so long, that we can not see true happiness when it stares us in the face. There have been times in my life that I wanted my life to go in a particular direction, but the Lord changed my course. For a time it was challenging to see the good in the situation. But I would come to the realization that if I had continued down that path, I would have been miserable. Instead, I am exactly where I need to be and am continuing to learn to put my trust in God, knowing that He knows best and that He is guiding my steps. For all of her faults, Scarlett is a woman I can admire. No matter what life threw at her, she would not let herself be beaten. Her determination for survival drove her to extremes. But survive she did.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The movie adaptation was a cinematic masterpiece 👌, imho. The book is not better or worse than the adaptation. I was able to find more depth to the characters like Rhett, and even our shallow natured Scarlett. A glimpse into the past, even this darker part of American history, was interesting to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, War
sad
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
La nuova traduzione di Neri Pozza mi ha spinto a buttarmi nella lettura di questo grande classico che non avevo mai preso in considerazione. Due gli aspetti che lo rendono un libro intramontabile: la versione dei vinti, a volte anche piuttosto romantica e idealista ma comunque affascinante e la complessità dei personaggi che nel corso della lettura evolvono e si arricchiscono.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes