How does one do a synopsis of Gone With The Wind?
Well… for this first time reader and having never seen the movie (still haven’t), I will give you the synopsis in my own words as though I were telling a friend about this book…. (after all, we are friends right?;) )
Gone With The Wind is about a plantation… about a family… about a war… but mostly, about a girl named Scarlett. Scarlett is in modern terms, a mean girl. She is spoiled, selfish, and while she is not beautiful, her personality drawn men to her – and in Scarlett’s opinion (after all, what other opinion is there?) that is everything.
When the Civil war breaks out Scarlett learns that not everything comes as easy as it once did. In fact many things are going to take all that stubbornness she possesses as she learns to adjust to the changing times… but Scarlett is not your typical girl of the south and the way she chooses to live her life and survive can come as a surprise, even to her.
First up… I need to say how proud I am of my book club for choosing to read this books for our Annual Classic Read. This has been a bucket list book for me forever and our book clubs choice to read it as a group is what finally pushed me to opening this book.
I am so glad I did.
I was pleasantly surprised with Scarlett, while she is not very likable, the girl has gusto. Her selfishness at times is laughable… at other times, it is sad. She is, and I say this thankfully, not a damsel in distress but instead a witty sprite of a girl who learns many lessons the hard way, but does not allow her spirit to be broken.
You kind of have to admire that.
While I did start reading this book, I found that my time commitments did not allow me for a lot of “sit down and read” time, so I switched to audio. Let me say, if you love Gone With The Wind and have not experienced it in audio, I highly recommend you do. While I have been canning these past weeks, Linda Stephens narration was just the thing to pass the time and keep me engaged.
My over all thoughts on the book was it is a win. I do not agree with those that call this book a romance … God’s Nightgown, no…. this is a whole new level of dysfunction at its finest! Going into this knowing barely the story line I was happy to read that the book was not the predictable read I thought I was encountering – yet a fascinating time hop to the civil war and a plantation that worked like no other, Tara.
If you have not experienced Gone With The Wind this is my recommendation that you do make the time to read (or listen to) this book. It is truly worthy of the classic title.
Author, Margaret Mitchell died after being hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street with her husband on their way to see a movie. Gone With The Wind is Mitchell’s only book, and one she wrote because she was bored.
- Paperback: 960 pages
- Publisher: Scribner; Reissue edition (May 3, 2011)
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 49 hours and 7 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Audible.com Release Date: October 1, 2009
*Be sure to watch for my book clubs thoughts on this book as well as the food we ate AND the clothes we wore to celebrate Gone With The Wind.
Book Journey 
I first read Gone With the Wind as a high school freshman and I remember my mother saying, “I’m so excited for you, and a little jealous, because you get to read it for the first time!” It’s that kind of book, isn’t it?
It is! I have friends that have read it many times… I am not sure if I need to read it again, but who knows… maybe some day 🙂
I remember finally finishing it one day. I might have to watch the movie again this winter!!
That my goal too 🙂
I’ve seen the movie and liked it, but didn’t love it. I haven’t read the book and would be more apt to watch the movie again. Reading it just isn’t something I’m hankering to do.
I wanted to be able to say I had read it and now I can 🙂
Love your take on it, Sheila. I’ve only read it once and that was in high school (a long, long time ago, ha).
I dont know if I understand the people who need to read it again and again… I was glad to have read it but cant imagine making it a regular thing 😀
I felt the same way as it being so much more than a romance. Downloaded the audio. The movie is wonderful, but an entirely different story than the book.
I am curious about the movie
I have this on my list too. I’m glad you recommended the audio book. I thin it’d take me forever to get through the book.
With canning 10 to 12 hours a day I was done with the audio within a week
It’s interesting that you have read Gone with the Wind for the 1st time, and I just got done with To Kill A Mockingbird – both for book clubs. Go figure.
Got to love book clubs 😀
Now you need to see the movie!
Yes, I think so too!
You simply must see the movie. It is interesting to read a post from someone who has never seen the movie!
LOL…. yes, I may take care of that in the next few weeks here.
I read this book THREE times while I was in high school…that’s how much I loved it. I didn’t see the movie until many years later, and, of course, it is the old style film without the special effects we now enjoy.
I’m glad you liked it, Sheila, and I agree about Scarlett…she has gusto, which is an admirable trait, even if her other traits include selfishness and a mix of other annoying characteristics.
THREE???? Wow! I would love to hear your thoughts on what caused you to read it three times. Do you see it as a romance? What do you love about it? I really am curious on your take 🙂
Margret Mitchell did a great job with this novel. I enjoyed reading your thoughts Sheila, on this, my favorite.
Your favorite! I want to know more about that! I enjoyed it very much.
This is one of my all-time favorite books.For me it is historical fiction with a romance tossed in. I read it years ago, probably high school, and found the history fascinating.
And, I try to forget that someone (not the author) tried to write a sequel — which was IMHO absolutely horrible. I have wiped it from my brain!
I have not read the book or seen the movie. the movie makes me not want to read it.
Great review Sheila. I’ve not read Gone With the Wind, but like you, it has been on my list of things to do. I think one of the things that keeps me from reading it, is there is so much hype surrounding it and the movie, and that always makes me hesitant for fear it will come up short. The audio sounds like a great idea while working on other time consuming projects, as a book of that length would take some time to read.
I read Gone with the Wind recently and so did my husband. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy a book about the Old South–which stood for values that I do not–as much as I did. I agree with you that it truly deserves to be a classic.