The 1700-1939 Book Club! discussion

This is for the May/June group read discussion of Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

I've read the first 10 pages - 1438 pages to go :-) Has anyone else started it? What do you think?

I have not started but need to! My sister has this book but has no clue where it is so I am getting it from my library.

I'm really enjoying this one - so much easier to read than Woolf!

I just got an email that the book is in at my library so I will be starting tomorrow!

That's great Jamie! I've read about 300 pages and love it. I look forward to hear what you think"

I just started but am really enjoying the book! Although it is a little long I know I will fly through! I am glad to already know the characters and story line from the movie and cant wait for all the extra stuff that was left out! I wish more people would join in the reads because this is a good one!

I agree with Jamie. The book gives so much more than the movie could...although you'll most likely see Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh in your mind as you read. The book is one of my all time favorites...and a re-read pleasure.

Yes I already am seeing Vivian Leigh. So far I feel like she fits the chatacter to a T except certain facial features!

I've actually never seen the entire movie - I saw the beginning and the end about 15 years ago, so I don't really remember it. I know what happens at the very end, but I don't remember how and why, so this is a very exciting read for me.

I didn't expect the book to talk a lot about the war but I feel like I understand so much more how things were.

Has anyone read Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor? The summary says it is compared to Gone with the Wind so I wanted to know what you thought of the book. I own it but have not had a chance to read the book. Forever Amber is set during Resturation England and written in the 40s.

No, I've never heard of it, but it might be a fun group read with Gone With the Wind in mind.

I finally finished the book! It is amazing to think about Scarlett and her life in the beginning and end of the book. Even though she had gone through so much hardship I almost feel she "could" be in a better place in the end, if she learned and grew from her mistakes.

I wish Mitchell had written a sequel but I am not sure if I would be able to enjoy Scarlett lower than she has ever been or as a better person. The reading then wouldn't be as interesting.

If you had to guess; what happened in Scarlett's life next?

It's interesting that Scarlett wants so much to be like her mother & admires her so much while she also craves acting contrary to her mother's values and instructions. There is such a vast difference between what Scarlett really wants to do & what she feels compelled to do. This natural struggle to create one's independence & please one's parents makes for a great story with the southern customs practiced in the 1800s. It's a part of the story I am intrigued by.
molly

It was also funny how she wanted to be so like her mother but couldn't stand Melanie. Scarlett didn't realize she loved and needed her until she was dieing.

I've got about 300 pages left and I enjoy it so much, I don't want it to end!

I didn't want it to either. For me it seemed like a quicker read than I thought and not like a long book.

Along the lines of Jamie's thoughts above, Scarlett was down right shocked when Melanie would show strength, intuitive understanding, and courage by acting with integrity despite expectations she follow the elders and social norms. Scarlett had such limited respect for women that she denied herself the opportunities to create helpful meaningful partnerships with them. Because she viewed women as a threat to her role as Belle of the County, she lost out. Her immature need to be desired by men cost her support & companionship. Her immaturity also shows when she feels angry & disgusted when Melanie demonstrates courage, strength & understanding. It seems she would far rather Melanie be a mouse so she could maintain her sense of superiority & comfort disliking her so.

Yes, I believe the two things she wanted throughout the book was to be the belle and have money. She seems unable to love until the end.

What do you make of Melanie's character? No doubt she was a gentle lady, much admired and respected for her gentle ways. She also showed strength standing up for her convictions, although she probably didn't recognize her own courage & integrity. Her unfailing trust & love for Scarlett shows more about Melanie that it does Scarlett. If Melanie was my daughter or friend, would I want her to be so blind to the unpleasant truth? Do you think she never knew the truth about Scarlett & Rhett? And, what do you think of her being so loyal & true to Scarlett when she was so critical of the Yankees & scallawags & carpetbaggers?

I enjoyed Melanie's character but I didn't like how blind she was to some truths. She seemed naive to many things. I think she made excuses for Scarlett and Rhett for why they had to do certain things, saying they had to do it for their own good, even if it went against her beliefs. She also couldn't bring herself to believe everything that was gossiped about. Melanie was very much set in her ways like many Southeners but she was faithful to anyone who did any good deed even though they could have been doing it for self gain, she couldn't tell the difference.

I finished this a couple of days ago and really loved it. I was amazed by how much I disliked Scarlett and her lack of empathy, love and kindness, but I still admired her ability to "survive".

At times I thought she deserved what was coming to her at the end, but when it finally happened, it broke my heart. I felt so sad for her after finishing the book and I couldn't shake it off for the rest of the evening...

I felt the same way but Rhett was also to blame. In my mind I had to believe they would find their way back together although they would continue to have some very heated arguments for me to not feel sad for Scarlett. You know it's a good book when your mood is effected for the rest of the day!

Yes, that's so true :-)

And Rhett was very much to blame. He wasn't easy to love / show love. When they were fighting and playing games with each other, I kept thinking how stupid and proud they were and how they ruined everything...

I watched the movie the other day and loved it! It was the first time I saw the entire movie and was curious to see what changes they had made.

One major change was that Scarlett didn't have any children until Bonnie with Rhett. I thought that was a bit strange and I wonder why they made that change... It wouldn't add that many extra scenes, as her son (I forget his name) was always just somewhere in the background being ignored or scolded. I felt really bad for him.

I wonder if they eliminated his character becuase Scarlett would be portrayed as too unsympathetic???

Yes I would think that's why. I think it would be worse to see her ignore her son in a movie.

I saw the first episode of the continuation (I think it's called 'Scarlett'?) and didn't like it. I don't think I'll see the rest of the series. Has anyone seen it?

This is one of my favorite books. Margaret Mitchell's descriptive writing just puts you in the atmosphere of the South. Thinking I may have to go back and reread, as it's been at least 30 years since I read it.

Teresa wrote: "This is one of my favorite books. Margaret Mitchell's descriptive writing just puts you in the atmosphere of the South. Thinking I may have to go back and reread, as it's been at least 30 years si..."

I think it's one of those rare books that can be read several times! - even though I've only read it this one time.

Gitte wrote: "I saw the first episode of the continuation (I think it's called 'Scarlett'?) and didn't like it. I don't think I'll see the rest of the series. Has anyone seen it?"

I have seen it (if it's the movie Scarlett) Someone wrote the book Scarlett which I do not plan on reading but the movie was ok. Gone with the Wind is so much better.

Gitte wrote: "I saw the first episode of the continuation (I think it's called 'Scarlett'?) and didn't like it. I don't think I'll see the rest of the series. Has anyone seen it?"

I have seen it (if it's the movie Scarlett) Alexandra Ripley wrote the sequel book Scarlett which I do not plan on reading but the movie was ok. Gone with the Wind is so much better.

It's not a movie but a mini series - quite long in fact. I remember seeing it about 15 years ago. Did the movie you've seen end with Rhett and Scarlett back together?

I looked it up and it says it was made for television (6 hours!) so I'm guessing it's the same! I remember when I was young watching Gone with the Wind then Scarlett. It took all day and I see why!