It's all about celebrating a wonderful story written in 1936
and made into a movie in 1939.
and made into a movie in 1939.
If you love the movie.... You must read the book!
Gone With The Wind
by Margaret Mitchell
It has so much more to it in terms of politics and culture at the time of the Civil War. I think that it is one of my all time favorite reads. 959 pages of drama, humor, romance, history, and many, many reminders of where we were not too long ago.
Scarlett's story begins just as the Civil War is beginning. A child raised on old fashioned traditions, class values and spoiled rotten. You struggle with her as she battles to obtain the unobtainable and learns that she can conquer hunger and poverty by breaking all the rules. After the war ends, we watch as the south realizes that the battle has just begun with the reconstruction and the rebuilding of an entire new way of life. Scarlett learns that she always wants what she doesn't have and can't get. Then just as she realizes she has what she wants... she loses it.
Margaret Mitchell develops the characters so richly and deeply that you come to understand the goodness in them even though they were the "Old Guard" of the South. These were the plantation owners who got rich off the backs of slaves and their own hard work, but passed only the wealth and slaves on to the next generation. Pampered and spoiled, this generation was allowed to feel as if they were like the Gods and Blue Bloods of the upper classes in Europe. If for nothing else, you should read it as a reminder of our history. Even when considering the entire context, it is as racially offensive, class biased and gender prejudiced as the reality of the South was at that time. It is a true picture of where we were.
As Margret Mitchel says in an interview later, after the book has become a huge success, it really is about gumption. Those who have it and those who don't.
A thoroughly lovely read! I can honestly recommend this book!
by Margaret Mitchell
It has so much more to it in terms of politics and culture at the time of the Civil War. I think that it is one of my all time favorite reads. 959 pages of drama, humor, romance, history, and many, many reminders of where we were not too long ago.
Scarlett's story begins just as the Civil War is beginning. A child raised on old fashioned traditions, class values and spoiled rotten. You struggle with her as she battles to obtain the unobtainable and learns that she can conquer hunger and poverty by breaking all the rules. After the war ends, we watch as the south realizes that the battle has just begun with the reconstruction and the rebuilding of an entire new way of life. Scarlett learns that she always wants what she doesn't have and can't get. Then just as she realizes she has what she wants... she loses it.
Margaret Mitchell develops the characters so richly and deeply that you come to understand the goodness in them even though they were the "Old Guard" of the South. These were the plantation owners who got rich off the backs of slaves and their own hard work, but passed only the wealth and slaves on to the next generation. Pampered and spoiled, this generation was allowed to feel as if they were like the Gods and Blue Bloods of the upper classes in Europe. If for nothing else, you should read it as a reminder of our history. Even when considering the entire context, it is as racially offensive, class biased and gender prejudiced as the reality of the South was at that time. It is a true picture of where we were.
As Margret Mitchel says in an interview later, after the book has become a huge success, it really is about gumption. Those who have it and those who don't.
A thoroughly lovely read! I can honestly recommend this book!
Okay ... Now it is time to finish your tea and start getting ready for the ball at Nikki's Scarlett Rose Garden.
We have so much to celebrate.
Make sure you tighten up your corsets.
Heat up the curling irons and powder your noses!
We'll be dancing late into the night!
We'll be dancing late into the night!
We can always sleep in tomorrow!
Thank you Nikki! I had a ball!
I have read the book and I loved it. The books are always so much better than the movies, but it is amazing to see the characters come to life. They did a perfect job of casting. Hope you dance the night away at the ball!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Liz!! Love the pictures. The sleep in bit was TOO CUTE. I will certainly be doing that, lol!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for "attending", hope your feet aren't sore!
Nikki
Liz, see you at the Ball!
ReplyDeleteI have the book but have never read it...sad I know...but I have watched the movie at least a dozen times!
ReplyDeleteHad a ball!!
Hugs,
Sandi - Fantasy & Fancy
Read that book ages ago and loved it! And the movie was my MIL's all time favorite -- she got to see Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable at the Washington D.C. opening - how wonderful that must have been.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Liz! I have read the book, the summer when I was 13.My great dilemma was whether I should grow up and be like Scarlet, selfish and driven, or sweet like Melanie and die young. Oh, the choices.:)
ReplyDeleteHi Liz :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how I wanted to be Scarlett when I was little, but now that I'm older... well, I still want to be Scarlett and just better at choices LOL
rue
I have enjoyed your book review of GWTW. I have the book but have never read it, shame on me. I grew up listening to my Mother's memories of the greatest movie ever! She was 18 at the time and I had her write her thoughts, check out my post for her pics now and then. My youngest daughter 26, watched GWTW with me last week, I have the VHS tapes. Her first time to watch it, although she used to roll her eyes and say "are you watching that again"!!! She loved it and was amazed at the drama and was crying through a lot of it. Poor thing!!! Now she has been indoctrinated into the aura of GWTW.
ReplyDeleteColleen
A classic and unforgettable film.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post.
Hugs
Great book! Have read it more than once and seen the movie several times. Great review.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz! Really cute post! Hope you're enjoying your holiday weekend and all the Blogland Ball festivities! ~tina
ReplyDeleteI have never read "Gone with the Wind" or even watched the movie. I guess I should put that on my list!
ReplyDeleteIt has been YEARS since I read the book. One day I will read it again . . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting me today.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Marsha
Nice book review! I loved that book, it's time I should re-read it as it's been a while!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your GWTW post!
Katherine
Great post. I have read the book. It has so much more than in the movie.
ReplyDeleteD
I love the movie, the book and the soundtrack. I have several schemes in cross stitch embroidery.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you did this post. Soo entertaining...The movie was amazing, but the book just can't be beat..I've read it literally countless times...Enjoy your day....Debbie
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you touched upon the ugly truth about the South - slavery.
ReplyDeleteHattie McDaniel was not even allowed to attend the opening of the movie, Atlanta city officials did not want this. So glad she got the Best Actress Academy Award - she earned it.
What fun lovely pictures you have on this post - love it.
What a fun post. My sister read Gone With the Wind I believe in ninth grade. It was hardback and everyone thought she was carrying around a bible! I love the movie and the soundtrack and may just have to try the book now.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Oh dear, I read this book my senior year of High School. It changed my life. Also one of my favorite readings. I have a very old tattered copy housed in my bookcase, that an older gentleman gave me. Such a wonderful story, this post made me very happy.
ReplyDeleteI do think that you should try "Yellow Brickle Road!"
ab
Your post is awesome!!!! I really like the "After all, we can sleep in tomorrow!!!!" LOLOL! Thanks for visiting today.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marilyn
I love this movie. And I loved the book. I read it ages ago but it is really good. I love your previous post on the fudge bars! Looks yummy! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I love how you focused on the book and story, itself.I love the pictures you used for the ball, and the cute, cute little bird and roses on your header. I'll have to come by after the ball just to visit your blog. You have a very nice place here.
ReplyDeleteYou give a very accurate "read" of the book. I love both it and the movie! Such a lovely post about my favorite thing!
ReplyDeleteFiddle Dee Dee,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
A Wonderful Tribute to GWTW and a wonderful book reveiw. I loved it .
ReplyDelete~Myrna