So this post was originally a book review of Gone With the Wind, but I’ll be honest, it was terrible. My emotions were all over the place because I loved the book yet hated it all at the same time. Since writing that review, I’ve seen the movie. I’ve decided to change things up a bit and discuss how the two compare (especially for those of you who have only seen the movie).
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Published by Grand Central Publishing on 1936
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Literature
Pages: 1037
Goodreads
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.
Quick Book Thoughts:
First of all, let me say that I loved the book. I mean, it killed me, but I loved it. Here were some of my snarky reasons I had crafted in my original review to convince you to read Gone With the Wind.
- Who doesn’t want to read a 1000-page book (or 50-hour audiobook)?! You’ll spend so much of your life reading the novel, you’ll actually die before you finish.
- Who doesn’t want to read about a salty brat who stomps around and makes horrible life decisions? You don’t? Well good, because Scarlett O’Hara is definitely not that.
- If you want to read the most epic love story of all time and then get your heart ripped out and shattered into a million pieces and then the pieces are scattered all over and you can never find all of them and then you are left a shell of a person you were before, then read this novel! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. You’ll cry. You’ll cry. You’ll cry.
The Book Bottom Line:
In all seriousness, I freaking loved this novel (but also hated that it emotionally wrecked me), and I think everyone else should have to suffer, too.
How the Movie Compares:
Well, it doesn’t. The book is infinitely better, of course, BUT the movie is definitely enjoyable.
- The movie decided that it needed to switch up some very important scenes, which definitely rattled by book-loving heart. Why make things happen differently than they did in the book?
- Scarlett’s motives are SO MUCH BETTER REVEALED in the book. She seemed quite ditzy in the movie, but she’s wicked smart and conniving in the novel. She’s pretty dang awful, yes, but she’s a self-motivated survivor. You can’t fault her for that!
- The emotional scenes were heavily diminished in the movie. I don’t know if it was because Clark Gable looks like he’s about to laugh IN EVERY SINGLE SCENE or what, but the scenes where your heart gets ripped out in the book almost seem comedic in the movie. That frustrated me quite a bit. On the whole I felt as though the movie was less emotional.
- The ending was RUSHED like crazy! You’d think after a 4-hour movie they could have found other less important scenes in the beginning to cut out so that they didn’t have to pile all the hard-hitting finale scenes right on top of each other. Again, it resulted it point #3.
- BUT the movie was certainly beautiful. My goodness the sets and costumes were gorgeous! And I definitely felt as though I was transported back to the book that I loved.
The Movie Bottom Line:
If you’ve seen the movie and haven’t read the book, READ THE BOOK. You’ll enjoy it more.
Have you read (or seen) Gone With the Wind? Were you as obsessed as I am?!
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
Jillian
THIS IS MY FAVORITE NOVEL OF ALL TIME! I AGREE WITH ALL YOUR POINTS! Also, I with Rhett had been played by a Southerner. Clear Gable talks like he’s from the midwest. Rhett should have a slow, slippery accent.
Jillian
*wish
Ali
Yes!!! I 100% agree – a southern accent would have been SO much better. I ADORED this book, but I don’t think I ever want to read it again – too much heartbreak!
Amber @ The LIterary Phoenix
Sometimes the movie is good because I love the story but I don’t always want to cry in a puddle in the middle of my living room. Also I think Vivian Leigh was exquisite. 🙂 And you’re right – the costumes!
The fine definitely didn’t do justice to Melanie or to Rhett, and of course we’re missing Wade and Ella! I can’t remember because it’s been a few years since I watched the movie through (somehow I have more patience for a 50hr audiobook than a 3hr movie?) but I feel like Will Bentine got cut too. 🙁
I definitely agree with your synopsis. Movie, good. Book, BETTER.
Amber @ The LIterary Phoenix just posted The Price Guide to the Occult by Leslye Walton
Ali
I loved Vivien Leigh, too! And yes, there was so much they had to cut out with the movie (like Wade and Ella!). Both versions were heartbreaking and both were good!
Chrystal
I still need to read the book and watch the movie. It was my Mom’s favourite and when she passed away I inherited her copy of both book and movie. I haven’t brought myself to read the book because of how long it is and I can’t watch the movie first as I tend to not bother with the book once I’ve seen the adaption.
I think I’ll make it a point this summer to read it finally. 😀
Chrystal just posted The Other Girl by Erica Spindler | Review
Ali
You definitely should! It’s well worth it, especially if you enjoy a love story. If you’re not into love stories it may be a bit tedious for you. I hope you do love it when you get to it, especially since your mom wanted you to have it <3
Ottavia @ Novels And Nonfiction
This review made me snigger 🙂 I love how you described being emotionally wrecked by the book. I watched the movie so many years ago, well before I read the novel. Unlike you I think it does justice to the novel both in the characterization of Scarlett, the portrayal of the history and the general tone and feeling. Once I read the novel, though, I did get kind of annoyed to realize they changed several plot points. Other than that, I think they’re both great (albeit controversial) works of art in their own right!
Ottavia @ Novels And Nonfiction just posted Just Read: Review Of A False Report By T. Christian Miller & Ken Armstrong @txtianmiller @bykenarmstrong
Ali
Yes – I agree that the bottom line is that they are both very good!!
Helen Walker
I am 75 and first saw GWTW when I was 9 read the book too many times to count. Like Ali I cry at the end of the movie every time I see it. My daughters just don’t understand how emotionally I’m invested in the book. I am a Windy and Steiners music is being played at my funeral and I had a memorial marker made that matches the GWTW wind drifts when the name of the movie comes across the screen.
I can’t stand the way the movie leaves out the 3 I love you’s and so much from Ashley and all the other things he says to Scarlett. The movie makes Scarlett look like she is in a one way love. This is not true.
So as I just watched the movie last night and know just about every line Scarlett says…I remain a huge .fan of Scarlett’s for so many reasons. Rhett no thanks and the best most passionate kisses are done by Ashley it’s not even close. I am an Ashley fan because he’s always kind to Scarlett. She scares the hell out of him but after Melanie dies I think Rhett never comes back. Scarlett was always stronger with Ashley. Since everyone is gone she and Ashley will get together because once again Scarlett needs to “look after the son and Ashley”. They have a long history together and Scarlett who is still young could have a couple of children with Ashley … blended family and it’s all in the cards.
Again the movie didn’t even come close to the wonderful book. I also will never accept any sequel not written by Mitchell!
Sarah J.
I absolutely the movie for Gone with the Wind and I received the book as a birthday gift a couple of years ago and I have to pick it up. I definitely want to and it’s something I may make a priority this summer. Glad to hear that this novel ruined you in the best of ways.
Ali
Hahah, yes it was a well-worth-it sort of life-ruining XD
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I think it’s been 10 years since I read the book and I watched the movie couple years later.. all I remember is I cried and cried and cried…
Great review… !!! I think both the book and movie have their own merits and drawbacks and everyone should atleast try one of them..
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Carolyn
To anyone putting off the read because it’s a long one, think again. It’s such a page-turner that you may be simply glued to it for a few days and then it will be over, leaving you wishing for more book!
Gordon
Don’t let the size of the book feel daunting. I was done in 30 days. I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed most nights. I found the dualism in the characters interesting as well as so many strong themes throughout. Amazing book.