Gone With The Wind Group Read

Ok, as far as I know we will be having a group read, it looks to be in August/September of this year. Does that agree with everyone?

Sounds good to me - looking forward to it - it's been a very long time (35+ years) since I read this book - time for a re-read!

Count me in! My participation may be "spotty," as we tend to do some traveling in the month of August, but I can usually get to the Internet at least once or twice a week.

If this is the "final word," how about I go on and post an announcement/link about this on the 75 Challenge's "announcements" and "group reads" threads? I know several folks there who are interested.

Sounds great, tymfos.

If I can find my copy, I would like to reread this one, too. :)
--BJ

Oh, I love this book! A group read sounds great.

Count me in DeltaQueen50. I have my copy; I know where it is and the timing is good for me. There are so many group reads going on right now that it is confusing.
Thank you for setting this one up. I will be here and am looking forward to all the great company, the good conversation & discussion.
belva

I'll be up for that. It's been on my shelf at least 5 years.

If I can locate my copy (and remember!), I will do a re-read along with the group. It sounds fun!

As the time gets closer, we should post some reminders on various threads to give people a heads up.

DQ50;
Will you let us know when you do pin the time down to a definite month? Not trying to "pin" you down or anything. hee hee
hugs,
belva
I am actually attempting to keep a "Group
Read" calendar going this year as G/Rs and Viragos are pretty much my year. I have Tim working on getting us a calendar for our profile pages. Won't that be an awesome feature?
just,
me

I just dug my copy of Gone With the Wind out and boy, it is a big one! My copy is 959 pages, divided into five parts. One part (4) is a lot longer than the other ones. So we could read one part a week, and give 2 weeks to part four (is anyone following my erratic reasoning?) that would make a grand total of 6 weeks worth of reading and discussing.

I propose we should start on August 15, and if we go with the six weeks, we'll finish on September 25th.

Does this sound agreeable to everyone - please post your thoughts.

Sounds perfect, and thanks for doing the math!

I hope a "late" participant might be welcome. I think re-reading this book should be very interesting. I'm going to try my best to be there!

I've starred this and will tentatively plan on it, though who knows what this summer will bring in terms of my time and ability to do so. I've only read GWTW once (as a young teen) and often thought I should re-read this as an adult. I also live in the general vacinity of where Mitchell placed the fictional Tara so it would be interesting for me to pay attention to Mitchell's treatment of the landscape and such.

I'm in! I'll probably read it sooner, since the beginning of the school year isn't the best for me for tackling long books, but I'm excited to post and learn from the group!

I've been meaning to read this one for ages - hopefully I'll be joining you in the summer!

I just got a copy of the book from HPB so I am good to go!
--BJ

I am in for a GWTW read in the summer. It's on my 1010 list which I have yet to repost.

I am just bringing this thread forward. I still plan to partiipate in this group read, but I may be a few days late as I am going out of town tomorrow and will not be back for 2 to 3 weeks.

I definitely want to read along. This will be my last book for the 1010 challenge! How will we divide up the reading? Do we start on Saturday?
--BJ

I intended to participate however due to a recent purchase of a new house and the associated move (unpacking boxes as if my life depended on finding everything in its rightful place) I am "short on time". Sorry.

Looking back up the thread, I see that we start on August 15th and read one part a week, except that we will spend two weeks on part 4 which is longer. And we will finish September 25th. This will be 6 weeks total, which sounds good to me.

Happy reading!
--BJ

Okay I just want to mark this thread because I want to read along even if this is my 5th time reading this, but I keep losing the thread. I just love Gone With the Wind but I am so far ahead on Middlemarch this will give me something to do.

I've finished Pt. 1 and I'm looking forward to the discussion!

I am only halfway through part 1. But I hope to catch up soon.
--BJ

You guys are killing me...

I am just finishing up Part I. This is a re-read for me and I am curious as to how I will find this book after 30 years, but it's very hard not to get the movie into my head. I think I've seen the movie at least 8 times!

The first week is up and most of us will be on Part 2 now, so anyone have any observations about Part I?

Well, I guess I'll get things started. I was surprised by the very first sentence that states that Scarlett was not beautiful. I'm sure it's because the image of Vivien Leigh is so ingrained in my mind that I couldn't picture Scarlett as anything but beautiful. And I've decided to just go with that image.
I was also surprised that Scarlett had a baby with Charles Hamilton. It's been many years, but I don't think that was included in the film.

The movie Gone With the Wind was an excellent adaptation, but yes, they did leave the baby Scarlett had with Charles Hamilton out of it. I guess they had to cut certain parts of the story in order to keep the movie to an acceptable length. But I also think that Scarlett's reaction to and treatment of her child goes a long way to showing that self-centered, selfish side of her personality.

I find that I can't read the book and divorce myself from the actors who played the roles. I first read this book over 30 years ago, and for the life of me, I can't remember whether I saw the movie first or read the book. Either way, the movie was so famous that I probably still pictured those actors in the parts.

The author is certainly writing about a certain class of people particular to the pre-war south, and Part I has really set the scene as to what their priviledged life-style was like and exactly what they had to lose. Their bravado and bluster about "licking the Yankees in a month" in hindsight sounds like an empty promise, but I think they really did think like this.

I have mixed feelings about Scarlett. The author has shown her to be spoiled and self-centered, but we are also given a front seat into her mind and how she doesn't let opposition get her down but continues to fight for what she wants. The fact that she can't see that Ashley Wilkes is entirely the wrong sort of man for her makes her more realistic to me. How many of us have chosen the wrong person at one time or another. Actually, how many of us can say we are not self-centered. I find Scarlett very real.

Yes, Scarlett seems to be a modern thinking girl to me, and whether that's good or bad is a toss-up. She is selfish and prone to bouts of boorish behavior. She also believes that the strict rules of grieving, and behavior for females in general, are unfair, and most of us would agree.
I think her rebelliousness makes her someone that Americans in particular relate to.

I finally finished part 1 today. The thing that struck me was that Scarlett did not want to play the idiot but wanted to speak her mind and say what she really thought, even though those around her told her not to.

I also totally see the movie when reading this.
--BJ

Yes I know I watched the movie way before I read the book and like everyone else I cant get the characters from the movie out of my head.

Talking about children the son she had with Charles is not the only one and that is all I am going to say on that.

Yes Scarlett is very self-centered but you have to keep in mind that she is still very very young and like today most teenagers are self-centered. And yes it was really spiteful to marry Charles thinking that she was hurting Ashley and all reality she was just hurting herself. She doesnt have any bond with her son because for the simple fact she couldnt stand his father.

I love this book and so glad I am reading it once again.. But after this if I want to read the poor book again I have to get another copy this one falling apart..

I finally finished part 2. I think I will be behind schedule the whole way. I really enjoyed this part -- especially the bantering between Rhett and Scarlett. I loved the scene when he tempted her away from wearing black mourning with the green hat.

"I'll -- I'll give you the fifty dollars ---"

"If you do, I will throw it in the gutter. Or, better still, buy Masses for your soul. I'm sure your soul could do with a few Masses."

Or, a few pages later:

"Oh," she thought in fury, "if I just wasn't a lady, what wouldn't I tell that varmint!"

I must say that I am enjoying this book much more than the last time I read it. I am not sure why.
--BJ

I couldn't control myself and went ahead and finished the book.

I think Part II is where I fell in love with Rhett Butler, he is such the perfect man for Scarlett but, of course, she just can't see. When I first read the book I really blamed Scarlett for clinging on to Ashley, but now I see that Ashley kind of leads her on, never telling her either yes or no. He was supposed to be so intelligent, and he and Scarlett knew each other since childhood, so surely he would have known that Scarlett saw things either in black or white and needed to be told his heart was definitely otherwise engaged. His kissing her when he was home at Christmas didn't help matters either.

Part II is also where we start to see that there is a lot more to Melanie Wilkes than meets the eye. Her loyalty to Scarlett, even though undeserved never wavers. Her standing up for Rhett Butler to the matrons of society shows just how loyal a person she can be. Definitely someone you would want in your corner.

#34- you and I will be bringing up the rear. I'm not even halfway through Part 3.

#36 You are still way ahead of me. However, I think that after I get home from my trip, I might read a little faster.

#35 You know, I am more sympathetic to Scarlett this time through than the last time I read it.
--BJ

I turned the page and suprise! I'm at part 3. This is my first time reading it and I've never even watched the movie, so I wasn't quite sure what the book was all about. The thing that always comes to mind when Gone with the Wind is mentioned is Carol Burnett's skit. I know it's awful,but in my mind I always see her parading around in those green drapes.

I am finding it an easy read, but am wondering how it can go on for 700+ more pages! I'm glad I am coming to this book now and not when I was younger. I would not have enjoyed it then and probably would have put it down never to look at it again. I think when we get older sometimes it is easier for us to like things for what they are and not always how much we can get out of them.

I too have a hard time putting that Carol Burnett's skit out of my mind. I can't read that scene in the book without it coming to mind. A classic in own's right!

Love the Carol Burnett reference! I had totally forgotten about that!
--BJ

I've made it to pg 412. I'm starting to admire Scarlett a bit, even though I don't like her.

Oh Scarlett she is someone that you love and that you also love to hate. You love to hate her because deep down she is very self-centered but you cant blame her for that since she was a spoiled brat with everything handed to her. But on the flip side you have to admire her because with her strong will she can stare anything and everyone in the face and get things done and she takes no prisioners. I know this is about the 5th time I have read this book but I am enjoying it just as much as the first time.

I finally reached intermission. I had forgotten all about Will Benteen. Scarlett is definitely a strong character. She can kill Yankees, pick cotton, scrounge food, and take care of an entire household with no training. She is self-centered but also does a lot for other people, too. I haven't reached the Carol Burnett scene yet. :)
--BJ

I think Scarlett remains one of the most real characters ever to be written. Like most people she isn't only good, or only bad. She has many good qualities but she also has her share of the bad. She helps people yes, but she begrudges everything she does for them. Self-centered and spoiled, yes, she uses people shamelessly and isn't above using her feminine charms to get her own way. I think her blind spot is that she really doesn't read people all that well, she certainly doesn't see the real Rhett or Ashley, and it takes her most of the book to see that there is more to Melanie than what she originally thinks. As a book heroine I absolutely love her, but I know as a woman, if I knew her as a real person I probably wouldn't like her.

I finished Part 4 today. There were a few funny parts -- like the part how Miss Melly can get along with the Harpists, and no one can get along with them. :) The contrast between Scarlett and Melanie, two strong female characters really makes the book for me.
--BJ

I'm still on Part 3, around 400 pages in, I think. I'm liking Scarlett more and more.

I think the thing that really strikes me is the ideas of the age.

I've made it to page 650 something. I"m glad I didn't live in this place and time!!

I mean how can you get upset with how Scarlett or even Rhett thinks about all the rules that goes with mourning and just polite society period most of if was Hog Wash. I looked the look of the classic hoop shirts the dresses had so much personality but Im glad I dont have to wear them.

I finally finished the book today, and I was wondering if anyone here has read the "sequel" -- Scarlett, I think it is called?

I was surprised that I cut Scarlett a lot more slack in this reading of it than in my previous read of it.
--BJ

Yes I have read it and I was really impressed how the author picked up to story where Gone With the Wind left off. I dont think it was written by the same person. But if you enjoyed Gone With the Wind you will enjoy the Sequel Scalett as well.

"Arrogance and callousness for the conquerors, bitter endurance and hatred for the conquered."

Thanks, Ann. Initially, I was reluctant to read it, but now I am interested.

Love the quote, Tammy!
--BJ

I high recommend it. I also found a book in my TBR pile about Rhett Bulter and his people not sure what the real title is.

Interesting! I did not know that there was another book.
--BJ

I have had it for a while not sure where I found it probably at a garage sale.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I am against the sequels to Gone With The Wind. I say don't mess with perfection, I thought the original ended exactly as it should.

I didn't read the first sequel, I think it's called Scarlett but I did read Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig a year or so ago, and frankly, I wish I hadn't. It just didn't ring true to me, I didn't like how he linked some of the characters in the book, and I didn't ever feel like the main character was the same Rhett Butler that I knew from the original book.

Well Rhett is suppose to be a varmit and a scamp sorry listening to Gone With the Wind. But I did enjoy Scarlett so BJ it is up to you now.

I probably will read it one of these days. I will just want to know. I was thinking that Scarlett was based on notes by Margaret Mitchell. But I did think that the end of GWTW was a pretty good one.
--BJ

Well since it wasnt written by the same person the author prety much continued it from what she thought how things would of happened. But over all it was a good read and I enjoyed the movie also. Will it ever be a classic like Gone With the Wind nope not at all.

Just finish up listening to Gone With the Wind oh so sad oh so sad. The last quarter of the book the is an over whelming feeling of wanting to take Scarett my the shoulders and not only shake her silly but just to slap some sense into her about Ashley and Rhett. For some reason this time around I can so relate to the ending to the point of tears. Rhett telling Scarett just how much her really loved her and Scarett realizing every so late that everything she had been looking for had been right in her face the whole entire time. A match so made in Heaven that just never could get on the same page. *SIGH* SNIFF.

I love the ending, even though it is so sad. Scarlett's personal story ended in ashes just as the society that bred her. I can imagine her as an older, embittered woman who realized that her chance at happiness had slipped through her fingers.

I dont know if I would say that Scarlett would become an old embittered woman Scarlett is a suvivor with I will survive all means nessasary and I understand that mentality all too clearly. I think Rhett will remain the love of her life and she will always be looking for another love like his not if she finds that love again will be the question. Scalett will adapt and survive. Most of the people will ended in ashed physically and/or mentality will be Ashley and India, Honey and other like that that no matter what lives on "What will people think" is the ones that will be in trouble.

Yes, you're right there - Scarlett is a survivor! Perhaps she'll just go on and have several more marriages but never find what she could have had with Rhett.