AbielleRose Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell A monumental classic considered by many to be not only the greatest love story ever written, but also the greatest Civil War saga. Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind is the bestselling novel of all time, and her unforgettable characters have become American icons. The New York Times Book Review proclaimed Mitchell's masterpiece to be "Beyond a doubt one of the most remarkable first novels produced by an American writer. It is also one of the best." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola Booth Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I loved this book. Read it about 4 years ago and probably should buy it incase I feel a re-read coming on. I bought the film but am reluctant to watch it just yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowstonegirl Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) Love this book! Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind is one of the best I've ever read. I'm from the south and think it is the most realistic southern fiction I've read regarding the Civil War. It's kind of cool as well because I am related to the Charleston Rhett's that Rhett Butler was named after. I might have to pick it up and re-read it. It's one book that's worth the 1,000 plus page read through! I loved this book. Read it about 4 years ago and probably should buy it incase I feel a re-read coming on. I bought the film but am reluctant to watch it just yet! The film is AMAZING too! This is one time where the movie and book are both fantastic and true classics. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable nail their parts! Edited January 29, 2010 by Chrissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 It's great to see more positive reviews. I hope you'll decide to re-read it with us, Yellowstonegirl. We'd love to have you along to share further insights. And how cool that you have a special link to the story! I'll be starting this tomorrow. Can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I'm about 350 pages in and absolutely loving it. I never knew much about the Civil War before and I don't think I followed it that well on the one occasion that I saw the movie, but it is described in such great detail in the book that I now feel like I know it really well. I've loved reading about society and the simple things (to us) that would cause such scandal. For instance, not showing your bosom before 3pm. Whatever would they think of me if they saw me today! And when Scarlett saw a woman with her hair dyed red. These days it's rare to see someone with their natural hair colour! My, how times change. I'm torn between loving Scarlett and disliking her. She really has guts and while she complains about having to tend to soldiers and do other things that she dislikes, she still stays strong and does them. I really admire her for that. I just wished she could like Melanie a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katrina1968 Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I live in the south and so this stuff is very close. My ancestors were slaves. I loved this book and just ordered its sequel Scarlett at the bookshoppe. I plan on setting up a Southern reading table! Come to think of it, I may need to rent the movie this weekend:mrgreen: and I'm bringing home Gone With The Wind. Its been sitting on the shelf and hasnt bee purchased in years. What a waste:roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi. Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I'm about 120 pages in now, I got sidetracked by a couple of other books but I'm going to crack on with this one now. I'm loving all the detail, it's really making the book come alive for me. I've already noticed a lot more than when I originally read the book over 20 years ago! Scarlet would adore my hair colour, although I'm naturally red-headed it's definitely only staying red these days with a bit of help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I'm torn between loving Scarlett and disliking her. She really has guts and while she complains about having to tend to soldiers and do other things that she dislikes, she still stays strong and does them. I really admire her for that. I just wished she could like Melanie a bit more. I felt the same Kylie, I sometimes wanted to shake her she was so spoilt and selfish but she never gave up. I loved Melanie the best of all the characters, she was incredibly strong and brave and wise in her lovely quiet way. Loved this book and I've read it several times, the movie was excellent too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I'm currently on page 94, and the more I read it, the more I like it! I don't like the excessive describing of the weather and the land and the scenery, but I do like all the little details about the society and manners, and the lives of the slaves. So far I'm thinking Scarlette is a spoiled, vain, egocentric brat who needs to learn a few life lessons. No wonder she had no female friends, although she didn't even want to have them. She certainly likes to be the center of attention. Rhett Butler has just been introduced in the novel ^^ Edit: I've loved reading about society and the simple things (to us) that would cause such scandal. For instance, not showing your bosom before 3pm. Whatever would they think of me if they saw me today! This made me laugh. Kylie, do you always show your bosom before 3 pm?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWords Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 The only thing I can remember from trying to read the book is the fact that Melanie was pregnant for nearly two years (going from the fighting which was taking place during the civil war as described) . I've struggled with the text a couple of times, and it doesn't help that the film (which I watched to try and get into the story another way) ran on for hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I take it the book is very thick....and long just like the film. Kinda puts me off reading if the book is overly large, but sound like one I should maybe try as one of the 'classics'. I should read more of them I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 I take it the book is very thick....and long just like the film. Kinda puts me off reading if the book is overly large, but sound like one I should maybe try as one of the 'classics'. I should read more of them I think. My copy is 'only' 894 pages long but there are copies with even 1400 pages I think? Some of us (Fi, Kylie, CaliLily, Lucybird and me) are reading this as a mini group reading and most of us feel that we definitely need this group pressure in order to finish reading the book. If you start now you could still catch up with us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katrina1968 Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Add me to it, I started last night, had to finish the preface by Pat Conroy! I've got a ton of school reading but I really need something not related to a class! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi. Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Frankie, Lucy, Kylie & CaliLily, I've been reading GwtW all day - up to page 418 Scarlet is fast becoming one of my favourite literary characters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 (edited) Frankie, Lucy, Kylie & CaliLily, I've been reading GwtW all day - up to page 418 Scarlet is fast becoming one of my favourite literary characters! Wow, your really making headway aren't you! How can you people like Scarlett so much?? I find her utterly annoying!! But I'm only on page 124, so I guess things will evolve and she will grow... I hope so, otherwise I'm thinking you're all going bonkers Katrina, the more the merrier, happy to see you join our merry ranks Edit: Don't get me wrong, she's a really interesting character she is, but I just couldn't stand her in real life Edited February 6, 2010 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 Frankie, Lucy, Kylie & CaliLily, I've been reading GwtW all day - up to page 418 Scarlet is fast becoming one of my favourite literary characters! Good for you! I love Scarlet too, so far. Of course I still haven't finished the first chapter (yes, I know... bad Abby.) Glad you're joining us Katrina! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 This made me laugh. Kylie, do you always show your bosom before 3 pm?? :D Not always. I'm usually quite modest. Scarlett is also becoming one of my favourite literary characters, for all her faults and bad points. She's just so strong and determined, and I admire that. I've passed the halfway mark. Yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi. Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Wow, your really making headway aren't you! How can you people like Scarlett so much?? I find her utterly annoying!! But I'm only on page 124, so I guess things will evolve and she will grow... I hope so, otherwise I'm thinking you're all going bonkers Nothing better to do except read, especially now my tv has gone to tv heaven :D Scarlett is also becoming one of my favourite literary characters, for all her faults and bad points. She's just so strong and determined, and I admire that. I've passed the halfway mark. Yay! Congrats on getting past the halfway stage! I think Scarlet is amazing because she is selfish, so intrinsically flawed but so much stronger than any other female character in the book - totally unique and definitely a permanent favourite now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Congrats on getting past the halfway stage! I think Scarlet is amazing because she is selfish, so intrinsically flawed but so much stronger than any other female character in the book - totally unique and definitely a permanent favourite now Thanks. You seem to be flying through it too. Scarlett's also much tougher than many of the male characters in the book, too. She really is a force to be reckoned with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi. Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Oh definitely stronger than all the male charcters - except Rhett obviously! It's apparent from the first time we see her interacting with Stuart & Brent Tarleton when they're so worried about upsetting her and spending hours trying to figure out how - mind you, red-headed men don't have much common sense nowadays, never mind back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 I'm really liking this Rhett character! I'm on page 192, and he's just brought Maybelle Merriwether the satin fabric she wants for her wedding, and Mrs Merriwether is forced to ask him for a Sunday supper Also, for a couple of months he's the most popular person in Atlanta among the women, he knows all the latest fashion of Europe I love it how he just turns this charm off to show everyone that he's nobody's fool and he doesn't really care about these nonsensical things. I do kind of get what he sees in Scarlett, but I still don't like her. I just love the fact that Rhett is so nice to Melanie and appreciates her and respects her, and I particularly like the fact that this annoys Scarlett to no end Whenever I'm reading a book that's particularly fascinating I always tell details of the story to BF and tell him something about the plot and sometimes BF is intrigued enough to want to read that book himself, and I was really surprised to hear him say that he might want to read this one as well! He never goes for the lovestories and especially ones that are so incredibly long, so hats off to him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 That's great that your BF is interested in reading GwtW! Good work I'm watching an episode of Vampire Diaries and Damon has taken Elena to Georgia. They were stopped on a country road to talk and I was trying desperately to check out the background. It might have been where Tara was! And I was thinking that it was so wrong for these two modern people with their modern car and their mobile phones to be in Georgia. Where are the hoop skirts and dusty roads? I love it when a book sucks me in like this. I have a huge desire to visit Atlanta and Georgia but I know I never should because obviously it won't be anything like the settings in the book. Well, hopefully there would still be large farms around at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runner Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 i read over 25 years ago...i did finish and it was one hell of a read...not really a male thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Did you feel it was too focused on romance, Runner? Did it seem a bit 'chick-litty' to you? I'm interested in your thoughts because I think I can see why a man wouldn't like it as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 It has taken me a ridiculously long time to realise this, considering I only read the book last year, but has anyone else noticed how closely GwtW parallels Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray? Note: there may be very minor spoilers below - perhaps only read on if you've read to the halfway point. I just clicked to it all of a sudden and the more I think about it, the more the stories seem very similar. Both have 'heroines' (Scarlett/Becky) who love men and money and will stop at nothing to get what they want, including other women's men. Both care nothing for the opinions of others in their social circles and constantly disgrace themselves in the eyes of others. Both Scarlett and Becky have a sweet, adoring friend who will continually defend them (Melanie/Amelia) even though the 'heroines' secretly dislike them. Exile, ill-gotten money, neglected children but partners who dote on those children etc. I can't believe it's taken me this long to notice. I'm sure there are many other similarities but it's a wonder I've noticed this much because I'm generally pretty bad at remembering the details of books that I've read. I'd love to hear anyone else's thoughts who have read both books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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