Gone With the Wind Fans discussion

I am finishing this book for the umpteenth time in 30 years, listening to it for the first on Audible.

Listening to Scarlett realize her attachment to Ashley was a fantasy, fueled solely by being unable to attain him, I wonder if Rhett realizes the same about Scarlett, prompted by shock at Melanie's death: his attachment to Scarlett only held when he was trying to win her. Once she came running to him, the attraction was gone.

Is the essential tragedy that these two selfish people could never really get together? I read the faux-sequel (it was decent, but more "fan fiction" in my mind as it wasn't MM writing) and found the rekindled romance of Scarlett and Rhett contrived and unsatisfying.

Your thoughts? :-)

I actually really love the sequel. Scarlett seems to be a much mature character there, and I love both books. It’s epic and exciting. As for Scarlett and Rhett, I am very happy that they do get back together.

I love to read this book after Christmas, around the new year. I learn something new each time. It always reminds me of how unhappy people can be when they have everything they’ve ever wanted.
I have read the sequel, but if honestly feels like a forced happy ending. I did enjoy the setting and descriptions, or backstory. More than anything, I love reading this story & being reminded of how similar life still is (in some ways) to a book written 100 years ago. The politics are the same today, the scams are different, but still the same today. Young relationships and small towns are still very much the same.

My favorite book of all time. I read it first about 53 years ago over a weekend and never put it down. Now I’ve read it maybe 35 more times and still could read it that many more times