thelibrophile 's review for:

Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind Part 2 by Alexandra Ripley

4.75

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

---

I have no words to say how I feel. Exhilarated. Melancholic. Content. 

I would have been extremely happy too, if it weren't for that yearning. For more.

How I came around to reading this, almost 6 years after I read Gone With The Wind is a pure chance. Was reading a rom com, it mentioned a quote from the movie, didn't like the rom com overall, but wanted to rewatch the movie, did that, was again saddened by the ending. And since, this time around I hadn't just finished the book, I could read it, and not remind myself that it's not by Margaret Mitchell. 3 days nonstop reading and this is how it has left me feeling!

I am not comparing it to GWTW because I don't remember the writing in that. What I will say, is that this book HAS done justice to Scarlett. I am not one to remark over whether the historical accounts, the society, the people, the culture, all mentioned are accurate or not. But it has explained Scarlett very well. Her actions, her reasons - her as a person. I don't remember what I thought of Scarlett when I read GWTW, but even I am 5 years smarter now. So now what I'd say is - that woman is an enigma. She has grown so much, as she should. Both the books take her from the age of 16 to the mid-30s. I won't disagree if people perceived her to be a despicable woman. For how her mind works. For all the actions and inactions. Be it the people of that time, or the ones from today. However, I have one suggestion. Put a man in Scarlett's place. All that she did, how she thought, everything - what if it were a man doing it. Now judge her. Although, she does redeem herself by the end.

This book is Scarlett's journey - through ages, through places, through life. 

I love the book for this journey. For the growth of Scarlett O'Hara. I would have loved it more if the end was more streched out. Or if the happy part began earlier than the last chapter. You can't blame me. Afterall I started the whole 900 page book for that ending. I expected to get atleast something by 200 pages. Not to wait till the end for just a tease!