Gone with the Wind
Margaret Mitchell
First published in 1936
959 paper pages, 1027 nookish pages (and yes, I bought this book twice, including the version with the incredibly ugly cover featured above. I wasn’t about to lug it on vacation with me, but I was determined to finish it for November book club, so I ended up buying it for my nook app, too)
********************
Warning: there will be profanity. Because when a book is over 1000 pages, it deserves profanity.
My thoughts while reading went something like this:
“Scarlett is such a bitch.”
“Fuck. This book is long.”
“Scarlett is such a bitch.”
“Holy crap, this book is long.”
“Oh my gawd, she’s a total bitch. And she hates books! I can’t stand her!”
“Fuck. This book is long.”
“Holy shit…I can’t believe I read almost the whole thing in one day. Because damn, she is such a bitch.”
“My eyes hurt.”
“I really can’t believe I just read that book.”
So why is this book so compelling? Because honestly…it’s way too long, the slaves are portrayed as too stupid to survive without their masters (whom they all seem to love), there is a decided lack of likable characters (I’ve already established that Scarlett was a (conceited) bitch (although points to her for being a business woman (except demerits for the dubious labor practices)), but we also have the worthless Ashley (who was in the KKK for gawd’s sake!), the too good to be true Melanie (who was too stupid to live, in the end), and Rhett, who I was totally digging until that whole Bonnie Blue in the bedroom incident), and have I mentioned…it’s too long!
And why did I read it? Book club. Plus, I was curious as to why so many people profess to love it so much. I’m still curious. I’m also curious as to why I actually finished it. Maybe there’s something to be said for unlikable characters. Or rainy vacation days when you have nothing else to do.
And can you believe I’ve never seen the movie? Although after subjecting myself to the 1000 plus pages that is the novel, you can damn well be sure that I’m not sitting through the movie. Rumor has it, it’s long, too.
Mention the longest most boring movie to my husband and he will say with no hesitation, GWTW. He took me to see it a few weeks after our daughter was born. She’s now 44 and that would still be his answer. Personally, I liked it.
I watched a few clips on YouTube…that was enough for me.
I have never read this book, but have always wanted to. It does sound like there is a lot to consider when picking this one up, and the length really deters me. I also tend to somewhat like bitchy characters, but that is just a weird little thing that probably doesn’t apply to everyone! Great and honest review today, Jill!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Mozart’s Last Aria by Matt Rees — 336 pgs
You know, it’s such a part of pop culture I do think it’s worth reading. It’s just, gah…so long!
Ah yes. This is another book I think I read but I can’t recall for sure. I have no proof. But I am saying and will continue to say, “I’ve read that.” And it is doubtful I’ll pick it up. again.
Care´s last [type] ..Photo Wednesday 11/02/2011
Say “I’ve read that” with confidence, and move on! Besides, the Carol Burnett skits tell you all you need to know.
LMAO. I have to read it now. I love the movie, but the book sounds horrid, and I need to know JUST HOW HORRID.
Andi´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – Le Weird Weekend
It’s “I don’t know nuthin’ ’bout birthin’ no babies” horrid.
But the movie is so good! hehe. Not that this makes up for some of the warranted more negative comments (Scarlett is a bitch and the book is HUGE), but I just can’t help but say it!
Chelsea´s last [type] ..The R.I.P. VI Challenge: A Wrap-Up
I’ll just take your word for it.
I have a friend who LOVES GWTW, and she is always shocked when she remembers that I’ve never read it or seen it. I remember a few years ago a bunch of bloggers did a read-along, but I didn’t have the book at the time so I didn’t participate. Now I do have the book, but wonder if it will be worth my time… I am thinking it’s the kind of book I’d have a lot of snarky things to say about!
Steph´s last [type] ..“The Lost City of Z” by David Grann
One word…skim. Although yes, it does make for excellent blog fodder.
This is one of my favorite books ever but I fully agree that Scarlett is a bitch! She and Rhett just had this sexual tension that really drew me in, and their love affair kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved the movie too.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Blog Tour: Practical Jean
You’ve sat through both!?! You deserve a medal.
This is a book I feel like I SHOULD read, but maybe the movie is good enough
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Reviews coming soon…
I’d say one or the other…both might be torture!
You crack me up! LOL Thanks for your honesty, and now I know why I never read this book, and never even saw the movie…..it’s true!
Diane@BibliophileBytheSea´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
You’re a better person than I. Part of me is glad I read it, but the other part wants her day back.
Ashley is in the KKK?!?! What? I mean, I could believe it as he’s kind of a wimp who doesn’t stand up for himself much and could be easily led, but whoa.
I admit I didn’t love this movie (Scarlett is, as you say, a bitch) and didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. I’m reading a book about one of James Madison’s slaves right now and it’s very good- it’s so terrifying how slave owners seem to have completely ignored their slaves, to the point of just NOT mentioning them in letters, diaries, conversation, etc…
Aarti´s last [type] ..[TSS] Interlude: Mabel Willebrandt, First Lady of the Law
I think everyone was in the KKK. Except Rhett, of course. He wasn’t much of a team player.
And of course, Mitchell totally whitewashes the KKK.
I love how you tell it like it is with the “revered” classics. I can’t remember if I saw the movie or read the book or both. Nonetheless, I agree with your assessment.
Jenners´s last [type] ..“Treasures” From The Past: My Rolodex
Someday I might find a classic worth revering. Maybe.
You made me laugh so hard! I loved this book, but agree with most of what you said. I guess I just love to hate Scarlett. The movie is great, too.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
YOU GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO TALK ME INTO WATCHING THE MOVIE!
I have never heard anyone say that they didn’t love Gone With the Wind. It’s quite refreshing!
Becky (Page Turners)´s last [type] ..Review: The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
That’s me…always up for bashing a classic.
I love this book. This is the reason I am the historical fiction addict that I am today and yes the movie is long, epically long. I also have wondered my entire life why a man would be named Ashley.
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday: November 7, 2011
Go check out Vanity Fair (fuck, that book is long. Damn, that Becky Sharp is a bitch.) It’s like Margaret Mitchell interalized VF. I really believe that it was the book of her life, just like the guy who wrote The Laments must have internalized Garp. Not copied…just that they loved those books so much that when they wrote it just came out that way. Does this make sense??? I love you, Fizzy!
bybee´s last [type] ..The DNF Files: The Criminal – Jim Thompson
Well I’m not arguing with you. But I have read it twice. Really. Once as a teen and once in my twenties. It is compelling. And few people to like. I’ve seen the movie more times than I can count.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Today’s Read: Fante by Dan Fante
It’s just as well I never read the book, because not only is your review much more short and to the point, it’s infinitely more entertaining. And yes, a book that long deserves profanity. As does one with such strong racist overtones, though they may be only a reflection of the times. I did see the movie though — a long time ago.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..The Homeschool Mother’s Journal #10
I can confirm that rumor about the length of the movie, having sat through it a few times.
Love your review. Thanks for the laughs.
lol Something tells me I should not read this book…
Kailana´s last [type] ..Books I Really Want to Read
All of the history bored me to death. I really didn’t care and the book was WAY longer than it needed to be. I hated pretty much everyone in the book besides Rhett (the Bonnie Blue thing was weird, I’ll give you that). Scarlett is awful and she totally got what she deserved. I ended up liking it but not loving it, but I can guarantee I will NEVER read it again.
Kristi´s last [type] ..Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I read it when I was 17 going into undergrad-I believe I liked it for the whole romance aspect. I never watched the movie.
Yay, there ARE other people who don’t like this book! Yayz.
DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A FAKE SEQUEL? Scarlett. It’s just as bad. And long.
Cass´s last [type] ..Cats of Mystery
Mehh to the book. I’ve read it and kinda thought mehh. But I read it after seeing the movie which I love. And when you’ve sat through a such a long movie, why would you choose to read an even longer book??? I have no idea myself. My only answer is that I was 17 and aimed to look really intellectual with a big book amidst my lowly average teen peers. I was a snob. Whatevs.
Funny, but this book came up in a book I just read: The Puzzle King. The main woman character bribes an American embassy employee in Germany to fill out her family’s forms by bringing him a copy of GWTW, since it was “all the buzz” in America.
Kari´s last [type] ..Book vs Movie: I Capture the Castle
I’ve only seen the movie and couldn’t really understand the appeal of Scarlett. The movie was okay as a story of that period but didn’t really care what happened to Scarlett. I have the book, but it looks like I might feel the same way after reading it.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Fave Movie #11- Planes, Trains, & Automobiles
Mostly what I remember about the film is that it had beautiful cinematography. Not interested in reading the book – and it is fun when bloggers unabashedly bash the classics.
Christy´s last [type] ..The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Bahahaha! Kudos for finishing it so quickly. I had to make it the focus of my grad research course project just to finish it.
Don’t watch the movie–you’ll be mad at the four hours you wasted. Or maybe not since you already know what happens. I didn’t when I watched the movie and boy was I mad!
Trish´s last [type] ..German Pancakes – Weekend Cooking