Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I’m incredibly late to the party. I remember as a young teenager attempting to check this book out and being discouraged from it because it held some really mature themes, and I can understand now why- I wouldn’t have understood it.
When I started to work on the 1001 books to read before you die list I expected to read some good novels and a lot of novels that would bore me or I’d struggle and work my way through, because as much as I’d like to say I’d enjoy sitting down and reading books like Gone with the Wind for amusement and fun, I couldn’t honestly say that and would rather read the latest Stephanie Plum installment.
That being said I am glad I read this book. It wasn’t easy and took me the good part of four days to get through it – and that was four days of hours of interrupted reading during each day. My head hurts from attempting to decipher what Mammy and Uncle Peter would say, my heart aches for Melly, I want to smack Ashley around, love Rhett and shoot Scarlett.
While I understand the motives behind Scarlett’s actions (and while the movie had Vivien Leigh to bring charm into her character) the book makes no apologies for her being the woman that she was. And truly, the woman that she was is the only reason she and so many others survived. But it did not make me love her or even pity her.
The last 10% of the book was the most gripping for me. While I wasn’t quite moved to tears I felt the story deeply and it had a definite effect on me. If you haven’t read this book really.. take time out and read it – don’t just settle for a few hours of movie watching. The story deserves your time.
I know what you mean! I had a difficult time getting behind Scarlett in the book, because she was so awful at points, but the resolution is oddly satisfying all the same. And the setting! The setting/society was so much more the draw for me.
It’s been so long since I’ve read this; I’m probably due for a re-read.
@Lisa I plan making room on my “yearly re-reads” shelf for this. I know I missed much of it by rushing through some parts because I wanted some answers more quickly. I also want to see the movie again!
@Courtney The setting/society was fascinating! After I’ve had several hours now to kind of digest the book, I really find myself loving the character of Melly so very much. She was such a lady through the entire story and her character had such incredible depth to it. I can appreciate Scarlett, but love Melly the most.
I read this when I was in high school. It was good for me (being quite naive) to see someone like Scarlett and someone like Melly. To know that there are people like both of them, and desire to be like Melly with love and honesty and compassion and strength no matter what.
@Auntie I remember seeing the movie as a teenager and being completely enamored with Scarlett. I think if I’d read the book instead I would have had a greater feeling of emotion toward Melly.