Gone with the Wind (Alma Classics Evergreens): Margaret Mitchell: Annotated Edition Paperback – 1 Sept. 2021

I bought this book primarily because I am a huge fan of the film. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be bowled over and sort of imagined a Mills Boon/Jilly Cooper type read - entertaining but not particularly substantial. Well, I was wrong. For context, my usual novels of choice are classics so I was pleasantly surprised to find this wouldn't be completely out of one with those.First clue is this book actually won the Pultizer Prize - so whilst it's not seen as 'serious' writing in our time, it was considered a masterpiece back in the day, the great American novel, etc. Yes, times were different then but I find it slightly sad that the book's reputation has fallen somewhat. Whilst it probably not 'top tier' next to the greats of Fitzgerald, Salinger, Dickens and so on, it's not a million miles away and to be honest, far better written than a lot of highly acclaimed novels today.To get over the inevitable - yes the book is racist. The KKK do feature but they are not seem as wholly positive - while some characters are in favour, interestingly our heroine and hero do not think highly of them. Yes, the n word is used and whenever a black person speaks their speech is rendered phonetic which is derogatory (as it's not done for the white people who would also be speaking with an accent). (Although, interesting I believe Bronte does a similar thing in Wuthering Heights with the servants speaking in a phonetic manner and the main characters not and this hasn't received as much comment.)Racist comments are made about the appearance of some blacks and there are some 'whitewashing' statements around how 'good' black slaves actually like being slaves and would never leave their masters, and the North has corrupted them etc etc. All of this is of course offensive and wrong. However, should we claim a book is 'bad' or ban it or not read it just because we disagree with some of the things it says? Whilst not a defence of these ideals at all, this book was written in a different time (far before the Civil Rights movement) and set in a time even more different (when black people were still 'property'). The ideas represented by the characters and the author themselves are (sadly) indicative of common opinion of the time, and whilst they are wrong and would not and should not be tolerated today, arguably you could not set the book during this period without giving voice to some of these opinions.As for the writing itself, I found it well written and highly entertaining. Fans of the film will enjoy it I think, on the whole it sticks remarkably close to the plot of the film (even some speech is the same in the film!), although notably Scarlett's first two children are not present in the film (but I think this was the right decision as I don't think they add much in the book to be honest). Yes, the book does drag in some places but saying that a lot of the content is relevant and I think you could probably only cut it down 50-100 pages or so without losing a lot of meaningful writing and events for the characters, which for a book this long I think is quite good.The characters are all 'real' and fleshed out, with the exception of the annoying Ashley (and the slaves as to be expected, unfortunately). He is slightly ridiculous but this is somewhat forgiven as I think he's meant to be. Rhett is somewhat darker in the book than the film, and some say that Scarlett is as well although actually I find the book makes her somewhat more human as we are privy to her inner thoughts and deep down she is a 'good' character and does a lot of 'bad' things for the right reasons.Overall, if you're a fan of the film or interested in a fiction of the American south/Civil War this is worth a read. The plot is cracking and whips along, covering a span of twenty odd years and many dramatic events. For a long novel I got through it relatively quickly as it is very readable and highly entertaining.

Just finished this book. Feel lost without these characters at my bedtime read. It's difficult to think this was written by a young woman in her twenties. I really knew very little about the Civil War so was really surprised at becoming so engrossed in events. I must be one of the few people to have reached old age without watching the film. I saw it at Christmas 2023/4 and thought i would read the book. What a surprise!!!!! the film is such a very short view of the story. The main characters are so interesting and challenging! So beautifully explored from Scarlett's interior monologues. My best read until now was Wolf Hall but Gone with the wind is equal top for me. Every chapter of the complete book (62) was a revelation, I cant recommend it highly enough. It is a book of its time and all the more interesting for being so honest.Such great value for money at under £1.

Atlanta born Margaret Mitchell's 1936 classic novel, 'Gone With The Wind', remains one of the best-selling novels of all time. She never wanted to seek out literary success, but turned out to be more than capable, and the book won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into perhaps the best known and loved films of all time. Margaret Mitchell would not get a chance to write another novel, as she was struck and killed by a car on her way to the cinema at only 49 years of age.The novel is a tale of unrequited love, a love triangle, challenging the morality of the nineteen-thirties while set in the previous century. With its detailed atmosphere of a vanished age, its compelling characters, its forceful narrative, its description of human survival, and its portrayal of the persistence of romantic dreams, 'Gone With the Wind' continues to enthrall readers worldwide. As well as being a novel of epic proportions, it is valuable as an historical record, though one that should probably be read with caution. A depiction of life and conflict in the nineteenth-century South, the novel also documents twentieth-century emotions about the old Confederate South. One enduring legacy of 'Gone with the Wind' is that people worldwide often think it was the 'true story' of the Old South and how it was changed by the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The film adaptation of the novel arguably amplified the effect.Margaret Mitchell arranged Gone with the Wind chronologically, basing it on the life and experiences of Scarlett O'Hara, as she grew from adolescence into adulthood. (During the time span of the novel, from 1861 to 1873, Scarlett ages from sixteen to twenty-eight years.) The growth and education of Scarlett O'Hara is influenced by the events of her time. Despite its length, at over one thousand pages, the novel is known for its "readability".The novel has been criticised, particularly in its treatment of slavery. 'Gone with the Wind' is primarily concerned with the development of Scarlett's character, all else, including racial oppression, is minimalized. Jim Loewen, historian, has this opinion: "..While there may not be a political terminology problem with 'Gone With the Wind', it is profoundly racist and profoundly wrong. Should we teach it? Of course. Should we teach against it? Of course". So in essence, read it for yourself!

This book is beautiful, but I removed one star because I feel the binding and cover are quite flimsy when you hold it... Other than that, it is a lovely gift x

It was the first book I read as a child/young teen and I cannot recommend it enough. A far better study of war and peace than the eponymous novel by Tolstoy, combining monumentality with a beautiful anysis of private life. If you have seen the film read the book nonetheless: it's much richer and contains more historical details.I hesitated to buy this particular edition as I have never heard of the publisher but the book is as pretty as it is on the picture, and quite practical. Everything is in one volume yet it is neither heavy nor too huge, so you can put it in your bag and read it on the tube or on the plane. The letters aren't too small either. Looking forward to re-reading this masterpiece.

As always I am buying each book with an audio one. Therefore I am constantly reading or listening a novel. In the case of “Gone With the Wind” it is that feeling when you worry about when the book ends. It is an absolute masterpiece and a joy every minute I spend with it!!!

Gostei muito do livro. Foi um preço acessível pois foi no dia da bookfriday. 30% de desconto em alguns títulos de livros importados. Gostei muito da edição devido ao preço que paguei.E é uma edição cuja capa é bonita e é um livro comum não é capa dura. Não é pocket; o tamanho é bom.Fiquei feliz com o material.

One of the great novels of all time! Describes the wiping away of an entire civilisation and the problems that occur at ground level. The romance is a sideshow but wonderfully described. A MUST READ FOR ALL

It is easy to see why this novel has been so popular so long. It is beautifully written. Yes, there is racist language in it. Most of it is relevant to the story and the period, accurately reflecting the attitudes of the antibellum South. The edition is quite nice, and for the money, the hard-cover is a very good purchase.

Mitchell wrote in the 30s but she is very modern in the way she deals with style, dialogues, characters and in the way she goes to the bottom of their psyche. The movie is splendid, but the book is still one of the masterpieces of American literature: insuperable! Had she had more time to live, she would have surprised us all. The historical background is worthy of Ken Follet's best reconstructions.