BookReview: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Michell

Hey lovelies,

I finally managed to finish Gone with the Wind. As one of the classics and favorite book of many women I decided I couldn't put it off any longer. I've watched the film many many years ago and other than the last scene and I didn't really remember much.

GoodReads Summary:
Gone with the Wind is a novel written by Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. The story is set in Clayton County, Georgia, and Atlanta during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It depicts the struggles of young Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who must use every means at her disposal to claw her way out of the poverty she finds herself in after Sherman's March to the Sea. A historical novel, the story is a Bildungsroman or coming-of-age story, with the title taken from a poem written by Ernest Dowson. 

Gone with the Wind was popular with American readers from the onset and was the top American fiction bestseller in the year it was published and in 1937. As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the second favorite book of American readers, just behind the Bible. More than 30 million copies have been printed worldwide.

NB! The words 'greatest love story' were actually plastered on my copy

My opinion:
It's been awhile since I've been invested so much in a book, despite the fact that it took me almost two months to finish it. Everyone should read it (ok, maybe not everyone I don't see how my BF would like it).
Scarlett, initially and all throughout actually, seems as if she would be more like the side character in someone else's work. She isn't particularly likeable, honest, kind, and so on. But that's her charm. She is probably the only one protagonist that I don't get mad at for being a stupid brat. There is something very real and raw about her personality. 

Her friendship/rivalry with Melanie was the main focus in my opinion and not Rhett (despite the fact that it's marketed as 'the greatest love story'). It was amazing to see the development of their relationship. In the beginning of the story I didn't like Melanie . I saw her almost like Scarlett described her - a mousy timid little girl who couldn't stand up for herself. But she like Scarlett transformed and found the inner strength in herself. If it wasn't for Ashley and how blind she was regarding him, I think she would have been my favorite character alongside Rhett.

The theme of love, mainly unrequited one was also prevalent. Seeing Scarlett pining over Ashley, chasing him relentlessly, all the while he proved time and time again he was nothing more than an indecisive little shit (excuse my language). He never truly stops Scarletts advances. This gif sums up my feelings:

The relationship between Scarlett and Rhett is maddening. I wanted to shake both Scarlett and Rhett so they can wake up. It was heartbreaking to read the last pages. But there really wasn't any other way for the story to end. Their character and personality wouldn't allow it. 

The story unfolded quite naturally and it flowed seemingly. Mitchell doesn't go on and on about some melancholic feelings and dwelling on the misery and devastation that is all around the characters after the war, which for me is a plus. At over 1000 pages it would become monotonous and repetitive. 
I'm deliberately keeping the review short as there is too much to say about the book. The style, the structure, the characters - it's all perfect. However, the topic of slavery is one of the main ones and I'm not an American but I can see how a lot of people would be offended by the portrayal of it (especially nowadays). Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, but I think that when reading a historical fiction or a book that was written almost 100 years ago, people shouldn't be too judgmental as this was the reality they portrayed. It was a different time with different understanding of the world. t's something you should get around of to enjoy the story, which I know it would be still difficult for some. I even saw articles in which it's discussed if the book should be banned because of the racism. I don't think reading this book would make someone exclaim "we should bring back slavery" and people can actually think for themselves.