velvetsreader's review against another edition
5.0
I had a hard time liking this book. I found Scarlett very appalling. As the book wore on I fell in love with a lot of the characters. Now I need to see the movie. :)
clairebartholomew549's review against another edition
5.0
Entering my review over from my old Goodreads profile I unearthed recently...here are some super sappy thoughts from 2011-era 16-year-old Claire!
This is an unbelievably fantastic book. I could write for hours and pages about it and still not feel like I properly expressed my unerring admiration. This is just...splendid.
Scarlett is a fierce and proud heroine, and at times she's difficult to love. But that's what makes the book so magnificent. She perseveres because she is so strong and unyielding. Her stubbornness is what drives the plot. At times you want to strangle her for her blindness, but she's endearing, too.
The love story will positively sweep you off your feet.
I also give credit to Mitchell for making the South come alive. I never understood the Civil War much, but this book really helped me to comprehend what it was fought for.
This is a book I will revisit time and time again.
This is an unbelievably fantastic book. I could write for hours and pages about it and still not feel like I properly expressed my unerring admiration. This is just...splendid.
Scarlett is a fierce and proud heroine, and at times she's difficult to love. But that's what makes the book so magnificent. She perseveres because she is so strong and unyielding. Her stubbornness is what drives the plot. At times you want to strangle her for her blindness, but she's endearing, too.
The love story will positively sweep you off your feet.
I also give credit to Mitchell for making the South come alive. I never understood the Civil War much, but this book really helped me to comprehend what it was fought for.
This is a book I will revisit time and time again.
hannaslibrary's review against another edition
Did I finish this in 5 days? Yes. Do I have the biggest book hangover ever? Also yes.
I don’t rate classics and I’m not going to rate this (which is good because I have NO idea how I would rate it). There were definitely times in this (cough cough, 30%, 50%, 70%) where I think the book could have ended and I would have been totally okay with it but I do feel that the fact that this is 1,000+ pages REALLY makes you invested in the characters, I mean if you choose to finish this, you kind of have to be invested in the characters. I definitely feel the need to mention the racism in this book - it’s a classic set in the civil war south so like DUH it’s racist and anyone not expecting that going into this book is really naive. There are some really good reviews talking about the racism in this so if you’re more interested I definitely recommend reading them. (Side note, if someone would go through this and cut out all the racist parts, I think 1. the story would be great and 2. it would make this much shorter and more manageable to read and 3. I would really appreciate it). Scarlett is such an unlikable character for basically the entire story which is VERY bold of an author to do for 1,000+ pages so I have to give props to the author for making that work. Also the ending??? I don’t think it’s a spoiler because this book/movie is so popular and has been out for so long buttttt I can’t believe that’s how this ended! It’s definitely what Scarlett deserved but it was heartbreaking.
I saw a review that someone mentioned after reading this book they are never going to reread it or rewatch the movie ever again and ummmm I can definitely relate. I don’t know if I’d ever want to read/watch this again, not because I don’t think I’d get anything else out of it but because I definitely think it would hurt more the second time around. And yes this book did make me cry multiple times, which is rare. Because this is such a long book, I just feel so invested in the characters and I will think about them for years to come.
I don’t rate classics and I’m not going to rate this (which is good because I have NO idea how I would rate it). There were definitely times in this (cough cough, 30%, 50%, 70%) where I think the book could have ended and I would have been totally okay with it but I do feel that the fact that this is 1,000+ pages REALLY makes you invested in the characters, I mean if you choose to finish this, you kind of have to be invested in the characters. I definitely feel the need to mention the racism in this book - it’s a classic set in the civil war south so like DUH it’s racist and anyone not expecting that going into this book is really naive. There are some really good reviews talking about the racism in this so if you’re more interested I definitely recommend reading them. (Side note, if someone would go through this and cut out all the racist parts, I think 1. the story would be great and 2. it would make this much shorter and more manageable to read and 3. I would really appreciate it). Scarlett is such an unlikable character for basically the entire story which is VERY bold of an author to do for 1,000+ pages so I have to give props to the author for making that work. Also the ending??? I don’t think it’s a spoiler because this book/movie is so popular and has been out for so long buttttt I can’t believe that’s how this ended! It’s definitely what Scarlett deserved but it was heartbreaking.
I saw a review that someone mentioned after reading this book they are never going to reread it or rewatch the movie ever again and ummmm I can definitely relate. I don’t know if I’d ever want to read/watch this again, not because I don’t think I’d get anything else out of it but because I definitely think it would hurt more the second time around. And yes this book did make me cry multiple times, which is rare. Because this is such a long book, I just feel so invested in the characters and I will think about them for years to come.
luckygirlgwenice's review against another edition
2.0
Excellent Book in all rights except that it had a mighty disappointing end. I guess that's because I am a sucker for happy endings. Okay Scarlett probably doesn't deserve any other finish. I don't know. Well written and coherent. The characters along with their strengths and failures were acutely brought out too. A widely different story from any I have read before. So I can't say I regret reading it exactly.
The thing about the story is that the protagonist has not been described as a either true hero nor has she evolved into one. In other cases the story would then have at least had a lot of happenings surrounding the actions of the heroine and that is not the case here. The story is only about Scarlett O'Hara who lived during one of US' most difficult times. And she was no martyr either, which in itself is a curious point. I daresay the war picture was exceedingly interesting but honestly I didn't read much of it and I might regret that later so I will probably read it again.
So whatever, I don't know if it deserves 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 stars (Ugh that is so maddening), so the best way for you would be to pick it up and read it for yourselves.
The thing about the story is that the protagonist has not been described as a either true hero nor has she evolved into one. In other cases the story would then have at least had a lot of happenings surrounding the actions of the heroine and that is not the case here. The story is only about Scarlett O'Hara who lived during one of US' most difficult times. And she was no martyr either, which in itself is a curious point. I daresay the war picture was exceedingly interesting but honestly I didn't read much of it and I might regret that later so I will probably read it again.
So whatever, I don't know if it deserves 0 or 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 stars (Ugh that is so maddening), so the best way for you would be to pick it up and read it for yourselves.
upgirlcd's review against another edition
4.0
THE classic among classics! How could you NOT love this book? Every woman hopes she has a little "Scarlett" in her & every man SHOULD have a little Rhett in him! Chivalry, selfishness, dripping with southern charm...You'll go to Tara with the O'hara family & perhaps you'll never want to leave...
kellykaiser28's review against another edition
4.0
This is an amazing book to show the southern point of view of the civil war. Scarlett is a character who I love and hate at the same time. She is strong willed woman who at the same time crosses line and makes decisions that I can't stand, although its those decisions that let her keep Tara from being captured. I love this book except the ending is hard for me to take, my favorite character Melanie dies and it ends open ended, overall a good book but I just wish there was a solid ending.
bcantread's review against another edition
5.0
I used to watch the movie religiously in high school. I bought the book around that time and swore I would read it. Only took 5 years but here we are. I’m surprised at how faithful the movie is to the book. Scarlett is such a good character. Not morally or personality wise, but I love to hate her. Appreciate the potential for immense character growth post novel.
maegan090's review against another edition
5.0
if i could give this book six stars i would. maybe it’s because it’s always been my moms favorite and it reminds me of sitting on the floor watching the VHS over and over as a child. this book is 110% a product of its time and a product of its author. it’s absolutely a testament to lost cause ideology - the same ideology that keeps the south from moving on. the ideology my high school teacher called upon when she called the civil war the war for southern independence (and no, i’m not shitting you).
but - the writing is so good. this book never fails to pull emotions out of me (mostly anger and disbelief that someone could be so STUPID AND SELFISH). i feel so bad for rhett and melly, and a little bit sorry for scarlett as crazy as it sounds.
it will forever be a favorite
but - the writing is so good. this book never fails to pull emotions out of me (mostly anger and disbelief that someone could be so STUPID AND SELFISH). i feel so bad for rhett and melly, and a little bit sorry for scarlett as crazy as it sounds.
it will forever be a favorite
brittanyluoma90's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anneinus's review against another edition
5.0
It's the longest book I've ever read – but it didn't feel that way. I never found it boring, the story was gripping. So cool.