Thursday, November 8, 2012

I'm Currently Reading...Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (Final Review)

  As I have stated over and over again, I first read Gone With the Wind when I was 12 or 13 (I've actually forgotten - isn't that the  mark of being old?).  I remember I thought it was absolutely well written, extremely long, romantic, and even a little scandalous to my then unworldly mind (sometimes I wish I didn't know as much as I did. >:/ )  I had been wanting to reread the story at my then mature age of 17, so when I discovered Fanda's read along for the book, I decided to dive in.  I will also warn you that the following review has some spoilers like my updates for this story.  Just thought I'd let you know! :)

  Gone With the Wind was first started in 1926 when Margaret Mitchell was bored during convalescence after an auto-crash.  She wrote the final moments of the book at the very beginning, and then built off that.  After an editor saw her work and found it to be a great story, it was published in 1936. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award.  Of course it also was made into an award winning film staring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. 

  The story is about the Civil War primarily, including the life previous to the war and the aftermath.  The main character is Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of a Gerald and Ellen O'Hara.  Her life is followed throughout the novel, including her relationships with the main men in her life, Ashley Wilkes and Rhett Butler.  Her relationships with Ashley's wife Melanie, Mammy, her family, and her many beaux are also examined.  Scarlett's life changes dramatically throughout the pages, and themes of life, pain, love, loss, joy, fear, and relief are told in a life-like way.  You can find my list of detailed updates about the book here.  The book ends with Scarlett having a child to die, realizing she was not so in love with Ashley as she once thought, realizing she needed Melanie more than she ever thought when Melanie passes away, and having Rhett leave her.


  Fanda's challenge was absolutely a great idea.  When I heard about it seemed like the perfect opportunity to reread the novel, especially since I didn't have to read big chunks in like 2 weeks. :D  So I started at the beginning of September, and finished in near the end of October, turning 18 in the middle of it which for some reason I thought was kind of amusing - I don't know why. My first impression  of this book had changed.  I understood Scarlett more at my age now.  Although I'm hardly anything like her, I could relate to the pressure she felt was put on her to care for her family, and I can only imagine how I would react if I had been in her shoes.  The stories of love, especially at the end when she realizes she never loved Ashley and he was basically a figment of her imagination, I totally understood better.  Throughout her fantasy of Ashley, she had ignored Rhett and lost him.  If she had just bent a little, told Rhett she loved him, and put down her foot about treating each other kindly in the ways that Melanie did, she could have gained something no one else had.  But her stubbornness got in the way.  When Margaret Mitchell was asked what happened after Rhett left Scarlett she said, "For all I know, Rhett may have found someone else who was less difficult."  I like to believe that Scarlett was so reformed that she eventually won Rhett back - but then again, a leopard can't change it's spots.

  Today is Margaret Mitchell's birthday, by the way.  So Happy Birthday to you, Ms. Mitchell, and thanks for creating such a magnificent classic! :D

Pictures from Google Images.

13 comments:

Haruhiism said...

although i have the book in my shelf, i didn't read it... because my mother always tell me that the movie is much better.
but still... one of my favorite movies ever!

Ice Goddhez Blog said...

You're really into your readings lately. Good for you girl! :)

~Chai
http://chenmeicai.blogspot.com
http://lookbook.nu/chenmeicai
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/2957855
http://www.nuffnangx.com/user/hJK222B

Celiha García said...

Hiii thanks for visiting me and leave a comment :) would you like to follow each other? xx have a nice week :)

www.nope-thanks.blogspot.com

Fanda Classiclit said...

Great review Lydia! And I just knew about Mitchell's writing it from the final moments, that's remarkable. Actually, GWTW was far from my expectation, but reading your thoughts here, maybe I should have given more patience to it.

Anyway, thanks for actively participating in the read along! :)

Aleetha said...

I like all the changes that happened to Scarlett and her life. However I do hate her for all the obsession.

ROXTHEFOX said...

Great blog, want to follow each other?

WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

Unknown said...

Love it!!!
Thanks for the comment!! Would you like to follow each other?
Kisses
Francy&Stef
chicwiththeleast.blogspot.it

Stacy said...

I adore this book so much!!!
I read it for a few times and totally adore!
Thanks a lot for your sweet comment on my blog! It is so nice!
xoxo
Stacy

http://tastyrumors.blogspot.com/

no. said...

heiii dear!
thank for your comment, you're so nice :)
wanna follow each other?tell me what you think about it
i wait you in my blog!

www.alicemazzara.blogspot.com

mafalda. said...

Thank you so much honey! That must be a great book :)
x

https://www.facebook.com/beyourownheroblog
http://be-your-own-hero-now.blogspot.pt/

Miss Psycho Cat said...

It's a really amazing book ;)

Unknown said...

Great blog!
Would you like follow each other?
Write on my blog if you want...
Anthea
www.antheafashion.com

Coco said...

So very romantic!!! Thank you for stopping by,it means a lot to me!have a great weekend honey!Coco

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