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Lisa of Troy's Reviews > Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind
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“Now, Puss, tell me true, do you understand his folderol about books and poetry and music and oil paintings and such foolishness?� “Oh, Pa,� cried Scarlett impatiently, “if I married him, I’d change all that!�
When I was a teenager, my goal in life was to be Scarlett O’Hara (less the slavery aspects and lack of a moral compass). What’s wrong with being a strong, business-minded, ambitious woman who knows what she wants, someone who can reinvent herself, someone who knows failure but can rebuild from ashes, someone who is brave enough to stand up to naysayers?
Although Gone With the Wind was published in 1936, some things haven’t changed. A woman who speaks her mind still isn’t valued by society. There was a study where participants read a story about an ambitious CEO. In one group of participants, the CEO was male. In the other group, female. The participants said that the male was a great guy, someone that you would want to be around, a real go-getter. Regarding the female CEO, the participants said that she would be difficult to work with and unpleasant.
In 2016, Fortune magazine ran an article about Erin McKelvey who applied for jobs in the tech industry and got zero responses. After consulting a friend, she ended up listing her name as Mack McKelvey. Her resume had a 70% response rate.
And the ending of Gone With The Wind�.wow! What an incredible, perfect, memorable ending! What do you think happened after the end of the book?
In a letter, Margaret Mitchell said, “Whether or not Rhett came back to his wife, well, you have me out on a limb. You see, I do not know myself. I honestly never thought about what happened to the characters after the book ended.�
My extremely scientific and highly accurate internet quiz says that I’m 77% Scarlett O’Hara, 39% Rhett Butler, 36% Ashley Wilkes, and 30% Melanie Wilkes. Math is apparently optional for this quiz.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
When I was a teenager, my goal in life was to be Scarlett O’Hara (less the slavery aspects and lack of a moral compass). What’s wrong with being a strong, business-minded, ambitious woman who knows what she wants, someone who can reinvent herself, someone who knows failure but can rebuild from ashes, someone who is brave enough to stand up to naysayers?
Although Gone With the Wind was published in 1936, some things haven’t changed. A woman who speaks her mind still isn’t valued by society. There was a study where participants read a story about an ambitious CEO. In one group of participants, the CEO was male. In the other group, female. The participants said that the male was a great guy, someone that you would want to be around, a real go-getter. Regarding the female CEO, the participants said that she would be difficult to work with and unpleasant.
In 2016, Fortune magazine ran an article about Erin McKelvey who applied for jobs in the tech industry and got zero responses. After consulting a friend, she ended up listing her name as Mack McKelvey. Her resume had a 70% response rate.
And the ending of Gone With The Wind�.wow! What an incredible, perfect, memorable ending! What do you think happened after the end of the book?
In a letter, Margaret Mitchell said, “Whether or not Rhett came back to his wife, well, you have me out on a limb. You see, I do not know myself. I honestly never thought about what happened to the characters after the book ended.�
My extremely scientific and highly accurate internet quiz says that I’m 77% Scarlett O’Hara, 39% Rhett Butler, 36% Ashley Wilkes, and 30% Melanie Wilkes. Math is apparently optional for this quiz.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
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Reading Progress
November 1, 2021
– Shelved
November 1, 2022
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Started Reading
November 28, 2022
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Finished Reading
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ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔
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Nov 19, 2022 03:20PM
A total classic. I’ve seen people not liking it because of the era which was slavery. But can’t change history, only learn from it right?
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If I was going to write a book set in the Civil War, what side would be the most sympathetic? The winning party. Did Mitchell play it safe? Nope.
Nope
I remember Rhett saying "I don't give a damn!" as a kid. Wow! on the silver screen. Now look at what they say.
Thanks, Michael!
You are right, Joe! There are so many great quotes in Gone With the Wind. I love how Melanie says about Scarlett, "Don't be unkind. She's just high spirited and vivacious." Where can I find a friend like Melanie these days?
Great review, Lisa. I read this book a LONG time ago but I loved it, and I remember being surprised at how much information there was about the civil war, and also how Scarlett had all these other children besides Bonnie with Rhett.
Thanks, Tina! Hope you are enjoying your current read!
Thanks, Ange! Yes, there are quite a few differences between the book and the movie. Both are excellent though!
When I first read this in Jr. High, I loved it.
I need to take this internet quiz 😆I’m glad you love this book!
Great review! Who needs math when you’ve got a highly accurate quiz? 😄
This is one of my favorite books--the writing and the depth of characters is breath taking. I think Scarlett might be the most perfect tragic character arc and character (not in terms of being good or kind, but in terms of creating a real person on a page). You KNOW her by the actions and dialogue. You KNOW she does love Rhett, but she' so stupid.....she's also spoiled and selfish and mean. Melanie is her complete opposite. I love Melanie. My favorite scene in the book is when Scarlett is watching Melanie with the boys and she can't understand how Melanie is enjoying this play and then she wonders why it seems like her son is happier with Melanie and then she wonders if she's not getting this motherhood stuff and she's the one with the defect (thought quickly leaves her when she thinks of Ashly). I try to read it every few years--thanks for the review!
Awesome review! I plan to read this book soon! 💖
Great review, Lisa!I've read it a long time ago, a translated edition, which was not good. The names were "translated". Ugh! Perhaps now I'll finally try it in the original version.
Have you read Alexandra Ripley's "Scarlett "?
Terrific review. All the 4 major characters had their attributes, but Scarlett was a woman for her time with a backbone of steel.
Awesome review Lisa! I read this a long time ago and loved it! Maybe its time for a re-read! I can't believe they are trying to cancel the movie!😥
“Gone with the wind� always sounded like a poignant way to say someone farted Sorry
Wonderful review, Lisa!
maybe this will be my next classic read for next year. never read it.
I watched the movie years ago and thought the book is the very same. Scarlett was a character I wished could see past her selfishness, but that's exactly what helped her survive. I am intrigued now that many are saying the book is different and just as good! GreatReview Lisa! (^-^)
I read this book a bit later, in my 20s, and I still admire Scarlett’s strength and determination. Her resilience and drive make her a truly unforgettable character. Even though her choices are often controversial, there's no denying that she's a powerful force to be reckoned with. Great review, Lisa.
Excellent review, Lisa. I really need to read this one. It has been on my shelf for a looooooong time.
I read this novel many years ago, so many that all I remember is that I loved it! But I had to comment, because I also love your reviews!!! Brilliant!
