"“Remember the Battle of Thermopylae,” he thundered.
Scarlett thought and thought, and couldn’t remember that battle."
(paraphrased, I swapped the book out)
As I promised, I took Gone With the Wind with me on the airplane trip to New York and back, and finished it up earlier this week. I’d never read it before, nor have I seen the movie.
Scarlett O’Hara is one of the most unsympathetic main characters I’ve ever run across. She’s spoiled, willful, hard-hearted and intentionally not too bright. The back of my edition called the story one of the greatest love stories of all time, and I vehemently disagree. And, as I mentioned to Stacy, the attitudes and biases in the book where shocking, but I suspect historically accurate. I’ve not read a lot about the Civil War, and Reconstruction, especially not from the Southern point of view so did find that interesting. It was an absorbing epic book, I enjoyed reading it, but it certainly isn’t one of those I will savor again and again.
I am looking forward to seeing the movie, though.
(photo credit)
posted by Mimi @ 7/31/2008 02:53:00 PM
20 Comments
20 Comments:
I found the historical aspect of the book very intriguing. I read the book as a kid and loved the 'romance.' But I am sure if I read it now, I'd feel much the same as you do.
I'll be interested to read your thoughts when you see the flick.
I second Philippa; you must do a movie review as well.
I haven't read the book in almost two decades (yikes! I'm getting old- haha!), but I enjoy watching the movie every few years. It is a very well-made movie. I hope you enjoy it.
You should read Scarlett next. It is a sequel for GWW, and I remember enjoying it as a teen. I honestly don't remember much about it though;)
see, I will respectfully disagree. In a way, GWTW is actually a love story. But not for Scarlett and Rhett. More for the south, and the people. I have read it numerous times, and gleaned more from it each time... thats just me though
I found Stacy's blog fascinating! I'm not one for romantic books....well, except "Jane Eyre" (it was required reading for my British Literature class...I enjoyed that one). I've never read "Gone with the Wind" and don't plan to...
Thanks for the honest review, I won't MAKE myself trudge through it. I just finished "The Poisonwood Bible," & found it interesting but depressing, I only finished it because I didn't have anything else to read at the time. Now, I'm going to give "Pigs in Heaven" a try...
Well, poo...I hoped you'd like it more than that! I'll be curious to hear what you think of the movie now!
Saw the movie ages ago; had a hard time staying awake. And, yeah, gotta love the South! You should see some of the debutante notices down here! ;-)
Martha, start with The Bean Trees, not Pigs in Heaven!
like with Wuthering Heights -some say it's a wonderful story of love, but I think it's of revenge. Love it though :)
adding: I loved Traci's take on the book -GWTW is a love story of the people of the south. Interesting perspective!
I LOVED the book years ago! I don't think Scarlett was supposed to be totally a sympathetic character, but a "type" and honestly, I think we all have a little Scarlett, or maybe it's just me. I know I could ride roughshod over people to get my own way sometimes.
I LOVED the whole South thing, etc. Course, I love the South, I live here and like it.
I don't care for the movie, but then I rarely enjoy movies as much as reading.
I was interested in your comment that you wouldn't read the book again. I read it back in the 1970s, and have not touched it since -- in contrast, I also read Anna Karenina in the 1970s, and have read it over at least five times since then. Hmmmm.
oh my gosh - you had never seen the movie...well I am sure the book was better. I just love the clothes in the movie (I should have been born back then - of course with toilets, computers and indoor plumbing)! hope you had a nice time in NY!
Looks like you had a great trip to NY!
It's been a long time since I read Gone With the Wind, and, I think, even longer since watching the movie. But I found Scarlett to be quite annoying and self absorbed as well. Not my idea of a very likeable heroine.
In a way, GWTW is actually a love story. But not for Scarlett and Rhett. More for the south, and the people Traci, that is a very, very good point. And, Marsha, I like your point about a bit of Scarlett being in all of us. I was surprised that she was pining for Ashley when she had Rhett, ay yi yi!
I didn't hate it, just didn't *love* it, and I agree, the costuming of the movie looks fabulous, I can't wait to see it.
I've also heard of a new book, "Rhett Butler's People" which is supposed to be his backstory.
Although I never read a whole lot about the Civil War either, I find the Generals interesting.
It seems that the Generals from the South had a deep Faith. Especially General R.E. Lee and General Jackson.
A Union General that has interested me is Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain --I saw a documentary where he was described as having a 'heart of a woman and a soul of a lion.'
Gen. Grant appointed Gen Chamberlain to receive the formal surrender of weapons.
Okay, I know this has nothing to do with 'Gone With the Wind' other than the Civil War references. :)
IMO, I found "Rhett Butler's People" to be more compelling than "Scarlett" which I thought read like chick lit. Nothing wrong with chick lit, but it didn't live up to the sweeping elegance and breathtaking saga-ness of GWTW IMHO.
And re Scarlett's character, if you are following Fr Stephen's blog about beauty vs utility (especially the comments, don't you LOVE the comments) it would seem that Scarlett was utility while the rest of the South was "beauty". A flawed beauty built on the backs of slaves, but still you get my point. And yet, utility does have a function. After all, Scarlett had food when many others did not. I guess I admire a scrapper.
OH, and sorry for the lengthy comment. Blogging on your blog...not nice!
Very interesting insights. I can honestly saw that it is one of my favorite books (ok ok at least in my top 20.) I found it not so much to be a love story as a coming of age tale. Yes she does come of age a little late in the story (being the end), but it is the story of her growth. In the beginning her very existence was the size of her waist and her love for Ashley. But as the story goes on and the south and her family fall apart she has to become the sole supporter of herself. I found her to be a very smart business woman and very resourceful. Her means where not always the best but how many lives did she save? She is a very powerful woman and that is rarely seen in war ear epics (the few that I have read anyway). But enjoy the movie I remember asking Mom why there was an intermission in it!!!
I totally agree with you. I read it decades ago, just to prove to myself I could make it through a book that long. But I was really disgusted with Scarlett as 'heroine' since she's so thoroughly self-centered and mean-spirited. I'd like to read a book making Melanie Wilkes the heroine. GWTW painted her as a simp, but I could relate to her more than catty Scarlett.
Papa Herman - Yes, I think that sort of came through in the book, and is definitely something that intrigues me about reading more of the Civil War. I need to watch the Ken Burns' PBS series.
Marsha - no, no, no - I am always up to discussing books and lengthy comments on my blog. That is a really interesting thought to put Scarlett and the South in the context of Father Stephen's writings, and a very good point as well.
Grace, yes, I agree, I actually LIKED Melanie quite a lot.
I thought the film not worth my time and I watched it and wish I hadn't, to be honest, therefore I skipped the book. I have a friend who loves loves loves GWTW and I just don't "get it".
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home