Classics Without All the Class discussion

Hi all! Happy New Year! and what a book start out with! An American icon! I have read this book but never seen the movie and I have a feeling that is quite the opposite way around for most of you? Are you looking forward to this book?

I read it a few years back and I was mesmerized.
If you saw the film first, you peg this as an epic war romance but at its core, it's really a Bildungsroman and a very good one. Scarlet has her faults but as the book progresses, you begin to really see those faults change...albeit into OTHER faults, but she is still a tremendous character. A really fierce female.

When I was little my mom would have me watch lots of classic films with her- this being one of them. I always loved Scarlet (despite her "faults"). I am really looking forward to reading this one and being a part of the discussions.

I've never read the book or seen the movie. Frankly, I've never given a damn (see what I did there?). However, I can't say I'm not enjoying it. :) Some of the period racial terms I've had to look up, but Mitchell writes characters very well, and that's always been more important to me than plot.

It is interesting on how flawed a character Scarlett is yet we watch her grow and change and just find new ways to become that character you love to hate.

Thought you might like some interesting information about the movie.

In 1939 "GWTW swept away with a record ten Oscars" and here's how they were awarded:

Best Picture (Beating out: Dark Victory, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Love Affair, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz and Wuthering Heights)

Best Director

Best Actress

Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel. "This was the first Oscar to be awarded to a Black performer")

Best Screenplay

Cinematograph

Film Editing

Art Direction

Outstanding Achievement in the Use of Color

Memorial Award for Most Consistent High Level of Production Achievement by an Individual Producer

Of the many surprises that year:
Clark Gable lost to Robert Donat in Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Thomas Mitchell (Gerald O'Hara) won Best Supporting Actor "not for GWTW but for his work in Stagecoach with John Wayne"

Information in quotes came from Gone With the Wind: the definitive illustrated history of the book, the movie, and the legend.

I am looking forward to listening to the audiobook. It's been 2 years since I saw the movie, which was my first and only time. I must say I enjoyed it very much.

I have read the first chapter so far and am enjoying it. Great character deve!opememt. I already feel like I am getting to know some of them. The twins' mother made me laugh out loud. I hope we hear more from her. (o:

A little while ago we were discussing this book in a different group. An older woman said she went to library in 1940 to take out Gone with the Wind. She was 17 and had conpleted freshman year of college and still was not allowed to check out the book because she was too young for a book with such mature content

I got through Chapter 4 today and enjoyed the detailed background on Scarlett's mother and father and how they became a couple in spite of the societal obstacles. Margaret Mitchell describes the strengths and weaknesses in Gerald's character and how Scarlett's relationship with her mom and dad differs significantly. I am finding it a fascinating yet easy read so far.

Beth wrote: "I got through Chapter 4 today and enjoyed the detailed background on Scarlett's mother and father and how they became a couple in spite of the societal obstacles. Margaret Mitchell describes the st..."
I found Scarlett's reference to her mom as a Madonna figure to be very interesting and how she believes that all other females are not to be trusted.

@ C: re: Ellen=Madonna
Yeah, that really is interesting. Ellen is the ultimate matriarch. Scarlett never gives her lip and attitude the way she does with her Dad who she relates to more as an equal. But, she still deceives Ellen by being more reverent and reserved in her presence, instead of revealing her attitude and conniving tendencies.

Hello there! I've just joined your group. I am really happy to put "Gone With the Wind" on my TBR shelf.
Question: do you recommend reading the book in its original language (English) or can I read it in my mother tongue? For me, there is not a really huge difference, only in the speed (I have to ckeck with the dictionary a lot of new words that I don't understand) but I think it might be better for the discussion in the group... What do you guys recommend?

Some of the racial / class colloquialisms unique to the southern United States might be a bit conceptually difficult to translate (such as "cracker") but, if you have a translation available, I don't see why you shouldn't try it.

John, that was very helpful. I see how it's better to read the original now. If I have the time in the busy month of January, I will definitely try to read it in English. Thank you!

Well, I was actually saying there was no reason why you shouldn't try reading the version translated to your own language as long as you understand that some of the colloquialisms might be difficult to translate conceptually. :) But if you have time, at over 418,000 words, this book should certainly help strengthen your English skills!

Yes. You could have two copies, one in your language and one in English that you can refer to, chapter by chapter.
That might actually really heighten the experience...

Thanks John and Tanya-Marie! As long as I study foreign languages I have access to my uni library where I can get a hold of the original in paperback. I´ve always wanted to study English and American culture, litterature and history, and since I don´t, I think it´s so great that I found this group. I´m so excited! :)))

This is my favorite book. I saw the movie back in 2002 or 2003 and loved it and that inspired me to read the book, which took me three months the first go-round since I was busy with high school and my boyfriend (now husband). I don't know how you guys are going to get through it in a month but it IS very entertaining, and for those who have only seen the movie, there are lots of surprises in store, including more children for Scarlett and other new characters.

I currently own three copies of the book: my mother-in-law's mother's copy from the 40s, a collector's edition which I had signed by Ann Rutherford and Cammie King at an event in Cadiz, Ohio, and my reading copy which is a reproduction of the original release.

I read it in a weekend AGES ago, this time I took it more slowly, and listening to audio took me a couple of weeks (darn work getting in the way!) and I got so much more out of it, mostly from being older and being able to recognize the complicated politics of the story that I didn't realize before. One of my favorites to keep re-reading for sure :)

This is my first time reading the book (doing this in audio) and I am enjoying this read so much. I had only seen the movie when I was younger and one of things that is standing out to me with the book is the depth of Melanie. I am appreciating her so much more in the book, maybe it is because I'm older and I can see her inner strength much more than I did before.

I've watched the movie multiple times but never read the book. I'm about to start the book and it will be my first-half-of-the-year read. I'm excited that this group is reading it and am looking forward to discussing the book with you all.

I've read the book and send the movie too many times to count. I have also read Scarlet. these are in my collection of many, many books. Over 3,000 at last count.

I am not currently reading the book, but I have done so a few times in the past, so I hope I can still join in the discussion? Just slap my hand if not!

This book is one of my favorites. As fantastic as the movie is, it still only captures 1/10th of the depth of the characters and the desperation of their situations. I love how Ms. Mitchell goes into so much detail about the political turmoil of the day, as well as putting forth so much thought and layers into her characters, making it so easy to love and hate them. She knew how to tell a story, that's for sure. Pity it was her only novel!

Kari wrote: "I am not currently reading the book, but I have done so a few times in the past, so I hope I can still join in the discussion? Just slap my hand if not!

This book is one of my favorites. As fanta..."

This is my first time reading it and while I am a beloved fan of the movie, I agree the book is so much better. I never understood why my mom (who had read the book) detested Ashley so much. Now that I am reading the book I can't help but roll my eyes every time his name is even mentioned. Ms. Mitchell is also giving me another perspective of politics post war that I had not seen before. I agree, I wish that Mitchell had written more! This book has quickly become one of my all time favorites.

The first time I read the book we were in high school and learning about the Civil War. It brought a whole new perspective to history, especially since I live in Ohio.

I set a 2 month goal to finish GWTW. Finishing last evening I just made it. I was worried and the length but as it turned out I loved every minute of it and could have kept reading had there been more. I'm glad I didn't pressure myself to finish it in a month. GWTW is one of my favorite novels, a masterpiece of a story with complex interesting characters.