Gone with the Wind

By Margaret Mitchell

Book Overview

Since its original publication in 1936, Gone With the Wind--winner of the Pulitzer Prize and one of the bestselling novels of all time--has been heralded by readers everywhere as The Great American Novel.

Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read.

This is the tale of Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled, manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forever change her way of life. A sweeping story of tangled passion and courage, in the pages of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell brings to life the unforgettable characters that have captivated readers for decades.

Widely considered an American classic, and often remembered for its epic film version, Gone With the Wind explores the depth of human passions with an intensity as bold as its setting in the red hills of Georgia. A superb piece of storytelling, it vividly depicts the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1451635621
• ISBN13: 9781451635621
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 960 Pages
• Weight: 2.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Better than the film!

I first read this book when I was 24 and living in a big city. I was embarrassed to read it on the El train, and so I would turn the cover in or hold it right against my bag, and hope that my fellow commuters could not see the title. However, for all of my embarrassment about reading a book set in the Confederate South and from the perspective of a white woman, I loved every minute of it. Scarlett is a character that most modern feminists can relate to. She is strong-willed, determined, and capable. She knows when to pocket her emotions to help her achieve her goals. However, she is not completely devoid of emotions. Her true love, and I will not spoil it, is deep, and one that most women can and will relate to. And when her heart breaks, (spoiler alert, kind of) yours will break too. (I will never forget reading the chapter/passage I am talking about- I was in a crowded laundromat and I was ugly crying, it was that emotionally provoking!) Maybe keep this one at home. As a bathtub read. It pairs well with tea and a little marijuana. Maybe read it with your sister or your bestie.

Gone with the wind- sold with wrong print date

This is a great classic novel and an excellent read. My review is about the original seller and posting for this specific book, which was not published on the date advertised. It was sold under first print date to sell for more, but was a reprint not worth the price. Be careful buying “classic” books as some people are dishonest and will rip you off.

Best Book Ever!!

I love the setting of this book and the process through the Civil War, before and after. This is my favorite book of all time. One to read again and again over the years, which I have done!

What a great gift for a friend's birthday.

I love all the available books you offer here at this site. And now with this gift, my friend will be having fun buying books from you too. ;)

Best book ever

Everything

loved it

"Gone With the Wind" is about a Southern belle, Scarlett O'Hara, during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Scarlett is a headstrong girl that is different from other girls. She gets married young, then becomes a widow. When death of many of her closest friends and family die, as well as escaping from the Yankees, she changes for the worse. She tries to win the attention of the so-called love of her life, while trying to keep the respect of her neighbors, who think she's scandalous. Will she survive with the ways in which she was brought up?

Great! and not because it is racist!

Roseywater, I don't like this book because it is racist. According to your "racist" point of view we all should consider that the Odissey is not a good work because it is also racist, we shouldn't like "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" because it is racist, we shouldn't like "The Great Gatsby" because it is classist, etc, etc, etc. You should leave out that way of criticism and appreaciate the essence of human relations that surfaces in this wonderful story. The book is not racist, some characters are. But remember this is a book that explores how people were in the 1860s in the Southern US and it would be unrealistic if some characters, or many of them, were not portrayed as racist.

One word --- WOW!!!!

I would give this 10 stars if I could. I haven't read this since I was a young girl in the early 70's and should never have waited so long to read it again. The characters were exceptionally well drawn, the dialogue was brilliant, particularly between Rhett (SIGH!) and Scarlett. I swear there was sparks flying off the pages. I am going to miss the people I will have to put behind me now that the book has come to an end, Rhett (SIGH), Scarlett, Mammy, Prissy and Aunt Pitty Pat (LOL). The author's use of prose was beautiful, all the scenes and action came alive for me. Some people seem to be offended by the racism in the book, but that's how things were back then. Sugar coating it would have ruined the story reducing it to a Harlequin romance. This is an incredibly well written book about the death of a civilization and the struggles to survive in the new era. This is a book that should not be missed, particulary those who enjoy historical fiction.

The best fiction ever written

Growing up in Georgia, I've had a first hand look at the American South. After reading Gone with the Wind, I realized the South hasn't changed that much. We don't have slavery anymore but the lifestyle and traditions remain much the same. THAT is what makes Mitchell's work so enlightening. She relates the Southern Culture better than any other writer barring Pat Conroy. She shows the strength, the loyalty, the compassion, and the gumption of a good southern woman. She also relates the frustration and rebellion at being expected to take a backseat service-oriented role in society and especially in the family. But it doesn't stop there. Mitchell also weaves one heck of a story scattered with some of the most unique and memorable characters in fiction. Characters such as Scarlett O'Hara's love interest Ashley, her bestfriend/worst enemy Melanie (Ashley's wife), and of course the sly Rhett Butler. The book is timeless, the story compelling. A romantic at heart, I appreciate the subtleties of the struggle for love unattained and love unreturned, both of which give this story a personal touch. If you are curious to see why this novel is the 2nd best selling book in the world next to the Bible, pick it up and expect a long, complex story with unforgettable characters, a glimpse of a fleeting culture, and prose that tastes like an expensive red wine.

The BEST

I've read GWTW many times -once you get going you can't stop! I once gave a copy to a friend to read -she said it was 'too old fashioned' oh well her loss. I'm glad I'm in the company of true 'Windies' so I thought I'd share with you some interesting facts about the book: -Scarlett was originally named Pansy-Scarlett was partly based on Mitchell herself and her grandmother-Rhett was based on Mitchell's first husband Red Upshaw-the initials JRM in her dedication refer to her second husband John Reginald Marsh-Margaret Mitchell maintained the only character taken from real life was Prissy the maid-When asked who she'd like to be in the movie version, Mitchell said 'Prissy'-Like a detective novelist, Mitchell wrote the last chapter first and the first chapter last-GWTW is the only book to sell more copies than the bible-Mitchell nearly went blind just proofreading the manuscript!-Mitchell scrupously researched every detail for GWTW, even going to the town register to ensure there was no Rhett Butler or Scarlett O'Hara alive during the Civil War-The novel took ten years to complete, most of it was written in three-For style, she endeavoured to make her prose so that a five-year old could read it-If she were ever to write a sequel, it would be called 'Back With the Breeze' On that note,please avoid the Ripley penned sequel 'Scarlett', it is atrocious.-Gone with the Wind is my favourite book of all time, and yours too, I hope. Enjoy!