Cole Ramirez

Cole’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (85)
currently-reading‎ (7)
read‎ (502)
fiction‎ (185)
non-fiction‎ (162)
christianity‎ (85)
biographies-autobiographies-memoirs‎ (66)
with-the-kids‎ (48)
parenting‎ (36)
military-war‎ (32)

historical-fiction‎ (30)
historical-events‎ (26)
fantasy‎ (20)
marriage‎ (18)
bible-studies‎ (16)
young-adult‎ (15)
self-help‎ (14)
homemaking‎ (13)
mysteries‎ (12)
books-on-tape‎ (11)

childrens‎ (10)
political‎ (9)
comedy‎ (8)
running‎ (8)
economics‎ (7)
health‎ (7)
devotionals‎ (5)
food‎ (5)
sports‎ (5)
christmas‎ (4)

financial‎ (3)
thrillers‎ (3)
dnf‎ (2)
homeschool‎ (2)
science‎ (2)
true-crime‎ (2)
book-club‎ (1)
education‎ (1)
science-fiction‎ (1)

Stats | More…

Cole is Currently Reading

Cole Ramirez is currently reading

Gone with the Wind

by Margaret Mitchell

bookshelves: fiction, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in May 2020

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Cole Ramirez said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" The intensity at which I loved this book caught me completely off guard. It had sat, ignored and unattended to, on my to-read list for quite some time. Frankly, 1050 pages is a big investment in both time and interest, and my intimidation always led The intensity at which I loved this book caught me completely off guard. It had sat, ignored and unattended to, on my to-read list for quite some time. Frankly, 1050 pages is a big investment in both time and interest, and my intimidation always led me to choose other books over this one. It was only the extended closure of the library that forced me to finally pick up Gone With the Wind and dive in.

It was DELICIOUS. I had no idea what a delight, what fun!, it would be to read.

I loved the setting - split between cotton plantation and burgeoning city. I loved the romance and the peculiar way relationships blossomed and were tended to at that time in social culture. The historical aspect was interesting - it’s not often you read something from the confederate perspective. I learned a lot about the war and reconstruction thereafter. The characters were very well developed, and I loved the scandalous Rhett just as much as the kind, gentle Melanie. Even Scarlett, the selfish brat, had me smiling at her cleverness and blunt take on life and assessment of personal motives. The polite, restrained conversations between lovers, the coyness of courtship, the common view of female capability (or lack there of), the concealment of pregnancy - 90% of the dialogue in the book was so amusing, so funny, that I found myself laughing over and over. Eddie says I read the entire book with a smile on my face.

I did NOT love the end. It was important, of course, for Scarlett to have that moment where she saw her actions in their true colors and realize the depth of her selfishness, but the fact that it comes too late - that Rhett is already lost to her - is hard to stomach. This is a romance! I’m supposed to close the book with a giddy feelings of delight over the main characters’ saved relationship and deep love for each other. Hello! Sure, the ending slightly leaves the door ajar, with Scarlett heading to Tara determined to win Rhett back, but he was never characteristically one to change his mind. There’s not much hope there.

How much better it would have been if all had been tied up with a ribbon, their love story made complete by the realization that the only person they cared more for than themselves was each other!

Ah, well. My disappointment at the last 250 pages simply cannot trump the joy of the first 800. I LOVED this book. ...more "

May 02, 2020 05:03AM · see review