Original Book Cover
I recently finished reading Gone With The Wind (following a viewing with my husband for the umpty-millionth time), and I have to say I am truly blown away by this book (haha – “blown” – get it?). (And, yes, by the movie, too, though this is Good BOOK Tuesday…).
One of the things I find so incredibly fascinating about it is that Scarlett is such a little bitch, and yet I’m truly rooting for her the whole, entire time. 
She’s dense in that she doesn’t see what is right in front of her face, and she’s manipulative and selfish–and yet I really want her to get her happy ending. Margaret Mitchell’s portrayal of this woman was just wonderful. Of all the characters, actually. Rhett is truly a study. A man who desperately loves Scarlett, and yet hides it because he knows she’d eat him alive if she really knew. (And he is SO Clark Gable). 
I was disappointed at first in Melanie, being so familiar with her character from the movie. But by the end of the book, I could really see that same steel that was there in the film portrayal, and it came about through a much more defined character arc than in the movie.
The book was, obviously, a phenomenon, as was the movie (which remains the highest grossing movie ever when adjusted for inflation, beating Star Wars by quite a bit). It is, I think, one of those rare books where the film adaptation truly shines.
How about y’all. Have you read the book? What did you think about the characters and/or their interpretation on screen?
In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day. 
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Have to admit, and JK knows this. I HATED the book.. I hated the movie… and I HATE Scarlett (along with most of the other characters.) And I am as southern as they come. All the way back like 200 years. Still… don’t get it. Weird huh? (And Sherri — can’t email at the moment so WHOOT!)
haha! I was going to mention in the post that I knew there were detractors among us, but I wasn’t sure if with your travels you’d be able to pop in
I started to read it in 8th grade right after watching it for the first time on TV. I couldn’t get into it, but I loved the movie so much I learned the trivia and more. Some years later, I did read the whole thing. What I thought most interesting was not what was in the movie, but was NOT in the movie. Now, I know they couldn’t put EVERYTHING in or it would have been a mini-series and even then they might have taken out the part about Sue Ellen’s husband and all. I loved all the bit about what was going on at the plantation while Scarlett was on her adventures. Scarlett’s sister wasn’t a miserable screw like she is in the movie, but a woman – in a sense – like Melanie.
And YES the makers of the movie got Rhett right on the nose when they cast Clark Gable in that role.
They took out the character of Will entirely. Sue Ellen didn’t come off well in the book to me at all (there was a whole bit about how the county folk wanted her run out of town, which was one of the reasons Will married her), but I do think that in the mini-series (Scarlett?) and possibly the Ripley book, she and Scarlett make amends?
The stuff they left out really was fascinating. The scene where Melanie leaves Scarlett’s party b/c she’s invited the Carpetbagger Governor was actually used in screen tests for Melanie, but didn’t make it into the movie. Thought that was interesting!
I haven’t read it yet but you’ve captured my interest. I just purchased it in Audio…so I’ll have an opinion in about 50 hours! I’ve seen the movie hundreds of times, and I think perhaps it’s time for another viewing! I have read Atlas Shrugged multiple times and nothing can be more daunting in page length and font size than that book!
I’d be game for a whine sister’s book club, not that I don’t already read everything you gals write. I used to a monthly book club with Chicago Radio Gals Kathy and Julie and it was a blast!
Error…it was Kathy and Judy. Been outta the city way to long.
Whine Sisters Book Club. Love it.
Love it! I’m in! (And I love audiobooks! I actually listened to Atlas Shrugged, unabridged, not too long ago. That took a long time. Including several trips to Houston, Dallas, and even Kansas City, MO!)
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read it, but I’ve seen the movie a bazillion times and love, love, love it and it’s in my top 5 faves of all time. Actuallly, I’m so ashamed, I’m on my way to Amazon right now to order it! Whine Sisters Book Club!
We should!
Let’s do it. We used to have one, by the way. The three of us, when there were three, read quite a few books together. But then we hacked them apart so mercilessly (even the good ones) that we never really got around to including the Whine Readers in on it. Occasionally, we would say “loved this book” but that was it. LOL! We’re brutal critics, JFL.
I love this book, and the movie is very true to story and beautiful to watch. My least favorite charater is Ashley, what a twerp. I like the drunk father the sister who fears the beauty of Scarlett, fact that Scarlett has all these husbands and thinks nothing of it when they die. Also she has a ton of children she hardly takes care of. Oh yeah and there’s slavery, big issue which I think Mitchell handled well. I read that she and her husband wrote it together and that they worried every word. I find most of my friends are terrified of this book because of all the “pages” yes books have pages, I wonder about my friends sometimes.
Totally agree re Ashley. You just want to smack Scarlett and say, honey! Open your eyes!!!!!
As for the pages, yes it’s long, but it’s a remarkably fast read. (I’m guessing they haven’t read Atlas Shrugged, either, LOL)
I think the movie is true to the intentions and characters, but the book is so long that I remember there being quite a few changed details or things that just get alluded to on film. Am I remembering incorrectly? It has been awhile. I read it in ’92.
Yes
But Don said he wanted to read it, so he has it right now. Will ask if he’s serious. I actually bought it for my Kindle and read about half of it on the iPhone. It’s a LONG book for an iPhone!
Okay, I am buying this book. I have never read it! I remember when I was a kid, my oldest sister read that book about ten times over one summer. WE would go to the drive-in (yes, laugh all you want) as a family and watch the movie. I have seen the movie so many times I never thought about reading it, but you made me want to read it Julie.
Can I borrow it?