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A review by gailxoxo
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I know many people will disagree with my review which I understand.
This is a book set mostly during the 1860's and 70's, written in the early 1930's. So it was 60 to 70 years after the events occurred, as if a novelist today was writing about WW2. In the authors time she still spoke to people who were there during the events, these stories and her life heavily influenced Margaret Mitchell's work. Just Google her and see how much crossover there is between her own life and that of her characters.
Of course reading in 2024, there are many problems, looking with 21st century eyes. This epic novel doesn't claim to be a historical document, just the authors interpretation of what the time was actually like, using the things which were around her at the time, remember segregation was still a normal thing back then, despite how we despise it now.
I originally read this in the 1980's and as a story I feel it holds up to the enjoyment that I first felt as a teen. It feels like a huge time period but the book only covers 12 years in the event packed life of Scarlet O'Hara. And when I say event packed I am not exaggerating, 3 marriages, 3 children, war, hunger, poverty, desperation and climbing back out of it to a future ever changed.
The story is well written (again ignoring the problematic parts), at times a spralling descriptive narrative and at others hurtles along at what feels like breakneck speed. We see a self centered fmc from a spoiled teenager growing into a selfish adult. She is not particularly likeable and very morally grey. But the reader wants more both for her and from her. And we end up rooting for her despite it all. I think it takes a skilled writer to do that.
People want this book banned. I want people to read and discuss it and not ignoring that it existed. If we burn the book we open ourselves to the possibility of repeating past wrongs.
This is a book set mostly during the 1860's and 70's, written in the early 1930's. So it was 60 to 70 years after the events occurred, as if a novelist today was writing about WW2. In the authors time she still spoke to people who were there during the events, these stories and her life heavily influenced Margaret Mitchell's work. Just Google her and see how much crossover there is between her own life and that of her characters.
Of course reading in 2024, there are many problems, looking with 21st century eyes. This epic novel doesn't claim to be a historical document, just the authors interpretation of what the time was actually like, using the things which were around her at the time, remember segregation was still a normal thing back then, despite how we despise it now.
I originally read this in the 1980's and as a story I feel it holds up to the enjoyment that I first felt as a teen. It feels like a huge time period but the book only covers 12 years in the event packed life of Scarlet O'Hara. And when I say event packed I am not exaggerating, 3 marriages, 3 children, war, hunger, poverty, desperation and climbing back out of it to a future ever changed.
The story is well written (again ignoring the problematic parts), at times a spralling descriptive narrative and at others hurtles along at what feels like breakneck speed. We see a self centered fmc from a spoiled teenager growing into a selfish adult. She is not particularly likeable and very morally grey. But the reader wants more both for her and from her. And we end up rooting for her despite it all. I think it takes a skilled writer to do that.
People want this book banned. I want people to read and discuss it and not ignoring that it existed. If we burn the book we open ourselves to the possibility of repeating past wrongs.