This amazing Pulitzer prize winning work of Margaret Mitchell, is rightly called a classic.
I never tried this book because anybody convinced me to. This book was just one of my various mandatory books to be read after exams. And this is one of the best books I have ever read.
Set in the American Civil war times, Gone with the Wind revolves around the protagonist --- Scarlett O’Hara whose guts and determination (which is worth admiration) help her through tough times. She is not anything like the usual female leads of books or movies who are all goodie—goodie and made of “sugar and spice and all that’s nice”. She is a woman who is strong as a man by heart and does not feel ashamed to nurture erotic desires. Though, she is always surrounded by men, her first love ends up getting married to someone else. This triggers of a series of ups and downs in Scarlett’s life.
Though brought up in traditional 17th century America, she has her own mind and does not fear criticicsm when it comes to following her heart. She is not like some brave woman who tries to help others by putting herself in trouble, but is a selfish woman who would do anything to aid her living. During tough times she lands up feeding a bunch of people which includes her father and lover who are not as tough as she is inspite of being males. This causes her to be confused about her identity and life and is desperate for a male support.
Margaret Mitchell has wonderfully potrayed the confusion in a woman’s mind and how she manages to break from the conventional society. The societal outlaw, Rhett Butler’s is an amazing character who picturise the mind of anyone and do anything for his love. Not only has Mitchell focused on the evil sides of the characters but also the extremely respectful and romantic face of everyone which completes their picture. The characters of Melanie and Ashley are excellently etched. Melanie is a true woman in essence who acts typically lady – like, loves everyone, but when it comes to being a strong nobody can outdo her. Ashley, though a man is terribly timid by soul, never speaks his heart out and cannot even realise his true feelings. It also shows the loyalty of the African – American slaves even after their freedom and the love and the respect their “masters” see them with
The book is wonderfully written from a woman’s point of view. Any woman can identify with one of the characters. I cannot comment much about how much a guy can like this, but you can read it for the mere pleasure of it.
Don’t think I am exaggerating --- but “Grab your copy now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! “J