Anyone who gives this book a pass because it is a "western" is cheating themselves. Yes it's set in the west, and it does involve a cattle drive. It'sAnyone who gives this book a pass because it is a "western" is cheating themselves. Yes it's set in the west, and it does involve a cattle drive. It's also beautiful, cruel, and driven by characters that are real and flawed. There's bleakness in this book but it's intersected with life and humor. I fell in love with each of these characters, big and small. I laughed at Gus and his jokes, cried for poor July, and desperately wanted to give Captain Call a piece of my mind. I loved pragmatic Clara, strong, beautiful and caring, despite heartbreak after heartbreak. I learned along with young Newt what it means to be a top hand, and find your own way in the world. This story drew me in and when it was over, I wanted to go right back to the beginning and live it all again.
It’s a fine world, though rich in hardships at times-Augustus McCrae...more
Although this is the first time I have read Gone with the Wind, I have watched the movie several times. As much as I love the movie, I have to say it Although this is the first time I have read Gone with the Wind, I have watched the movie several times. As much as I love the movie, I have to say it fails to capture the true depth of this masterpiece, and the richly drawn complexity of the characters.
Scarlett- selfish, conniving, but strong enough to do what must be done to survive, and protect her family. She knows what she wants, and will not stop until it is hers, often to her own detriment. Although I disagree with some of her methods, I cant help admiring her single minded determination to win, and her ability to "see things as they are and call them by their right names".
Rhett- the unapologetic opportunist. He says and does exactly as he pleases, sees through hypocrisy, and calls it out even if it means social ostracism. He refuses to conform to societies expectations, but he does have his own complex code of honor, and at certain points it becomes clear that he does care about the traditonal south despite his better judgement. Unlike Scarlett, Rhett at times succumbs to emotion over self preservation. I fell in love with him. He was so full of life, passion, and heatbreak! What a fool you are Scarlett!
Ashley- First seen as dreamy and honorable, he is later revealed to be weak and incompetent. He professes to love Scarlett, yet marries another because she is a more socially acceptable match. After the war, he is worthless on the plantation, and cannot adjust to the new south. He refuses to accept the change, and stubbornly clings to tradition even when it means his family will go hungry. He lets Scarlett sacrifice her reputation, and Melanie her pride, to protect his "honor". Melanie deserved so much more.
Melanie- Wise, patient, tender hearted. She never compromises in her integrity, loyalty or love. She saves Tara from burning. She crawls out of bed when she is half dead dragging her fathers sword to help defend Tara from a Yankee. She stands against anyone who would speak ill of those she loves, even when the confrontation comes at great personal cost. Ironically she is often viewed as silly and foolish: She publicly defends Rhett even when his actions seem irredeemable. She loves Scarlett and openly admires her strength, commitment to her promises, and her ability to survive. And in the end, the childlike "foolish" Melanie proves she knows more than she lets on. Rhett is a good man, Scarlett loves her, and she knows that Ashley cannot take care of himself or Beau. In my eyes she is the unsung hero, surviving in a way that she could live with, and dying on her own terms trying to have a child she desperately wanted. As Rhett says "she never had any strength, all she ever had was heart."
I'm just barely scratching the surface of the great characters, and saying nothing about the cultural or political aspects of this book. But �"I can't think about that now. I'll go crazy if I do. I'll think about it tomorrow. " ...more
***Spoilers*** How I love this book!! there are so many important themes examined here. Innocence lost, loving your fellow man, equality, and having th***Spoilers*** How I love this book!! there are so many important themes examined here. Innocence lost, loving your fellow man, equality, and having the courage to stand up for the right thing.
Throughout the story, Atticus tries his best to raise his children with kindness and courage. He encourages them to walk in others shoes, and tells them "its not time for worrying yet." He answers them honestly and sets the example at home that he sets out on the street. He loves his neighbors, and treats others with dignity and respect. He teaches them that to kill a mockingbird is to kill something beautiful, innocent and harmless.
As children we are taught to play fair. As we grow into adulthood we begin to realize that not everyone holds the same values. The first bitter sting of injustice is where we begin to lose our innocence. This is highlighted to me by Jems reaction when Atticus loses the trial. It was beyond his comprehension that such a cut and dried case could be lost based on a mans race. "How could they do it, how could they?" Jem cries. Atticus replies " I don't know, but they did. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it - seems that only children weep."
I love this book because it forces readers to question issues about race, class, and society, and while it does not resolve them, it opens the discussion. ...more
This was one of the first stories I remember as a child. My Mom and I read it together one hot summer in the late afternoon when it would start to cooThis was one of the first stories I remember as a child. My Mom and I read it together one hot summer in the late afternoon when it would start to cool down. I poured over the beautiful pictures, and when we were done with our chapter for the day, I would go outside and pretend I was Black Beauty or Merrylegs prancing in the pasture.
I almost didn't read this again, because I was afraid it would not live up to what I remembered, and I really didn't want those memories spoiled. I am really glad I took the chance and revisited this story.
Reading this as an adult I took so much more from it than I did as a child. The lessons and values taught here are timeless: Do your best, be proud of the job you do, be kind to man and animal, and as John Coachman says "With cruelty and oppression, it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it." ...more
***Spoilers*** This was the first time I have read this book, and I am blown away. This story brings to life what can happen when people turn over thei***Spoilers*** This was the first time I have read this book, and I am blown away. This story brings to life what can happen when people turn over their rights for convenience or safety. It starts simply, restricting this or that for the "greater good". Immersion in technology that does the thinking for you. Keeping people busy having "fun" and overloading senses so that no one has time to reflect on what is being lost.
As a simplistic example: we already have a generation of children who are not being taught cursive writing. Seems innocent enough. Most things now are typed, on some sort of electronic device, and print is easier to read than the dips and swirls of cursive. But what happens when these children grow up and cannot read the constitution or the bill of rights? Will they blindly believe what some one tells them it says? Will they question why they can't read it?
After reading about Montag struggling to memorize what he is reading, and then again when the police fabricate his capture, I had to take a break for a day or two and think. How often do we see things or read things and believe them without proof? It was on the news/internet so it must be true; and information never needs to be remembered when it can be googled on a smart phone in an instant. With warm homes and plentiful food, the immediacy of life is blunted, and reality can feel very foggy.
Another thing that struck me hard in this story was the lack of human connection. The TV is family, young kids will run you down in the street for sport, because in this society, There is no empathy, and there is no sense of what is REAL beyond the superficial. Even Montags wife doesn't want to be bothered by his 'crisis'. She just wants him to shut up or go to work so she can bury herself in mindless pursuits. Not that I am against mindless pursuits...I indulge in them, I think it is important to let your brain rest sometimes, But they should not become your everything.
Bradbury said this book is not about censorship, and after giving it some thought I agree. To me this book is about peeling off blinders and taking an honest look at society. It is about slowing down to connect with another human being, awareness of your actions and their consequences, Being present in the moment, and not just filling your time with meaningless activity. It is about not giving control of ANY freedom to another person or entity.
I loved this book because it challenged me to think about things in a new way, and changed my mind about some others....more
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