Gone with the Wind

By Margaret Mitchell

“My dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American Civil War, Margaret Mitchell's magnificent historical epic—beloved for over eighty years—is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, of a nation mortally divided and a people forever changed. Above all, it is the story of beautiful, ruthless Scarlett O'Hara and the dashing soldier of fortune, Rhett Butler.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9780735254169

Margaret Mitchell

American journalist and author Margaret Mitchell is best known for her epic Civil War-era novel, Gone with the Wind, for which she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937. Mitchell was born and bred in the South, and family stories about the Civil War influenced her writing, particularly Gone with the Wind. Mitchell was also an accomplished journalist, writing more than 125 features for the Atlanta Journal before retiring due to an injury. Although Gone with the Wind was the only novel to be published by Mitchell during her life (Lost Laysen, a novella written by Mitchell as a teenager was published posthumously in 1996), she continues to be considered one of the pre-eminent authors of the early 1900s.

Reviews for Gone with the Wind

[39again · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The narrator for the book is terrible! This book would be best with the full cast dramatic make-over. I do love the story, I have this Audiobook edition, the bluray movie collectors edition and a first print 60th anniversary edition in a beautiful red slipcase. The narrator ruined this for me, 1 star for the narrator, 5 stars for Margaret Mitchell.

[kristinamiranda-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book when I was a teenager and loved every word! Still one of my favorite books of all time, and Rhett Butler is still one of my favorite romantic heroes! (Scarlet, how could you be so blind!)

[literatehousewife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are very few books that I've read more than once. This is the only book I've read five times. I'll read it again in 2008. It first captured my imagination in high school. This is the book that made me want to live in the South.

[laughingwoman6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this book many years ago when I was a teenager. All I really remember about this book was that I loathed Scarlett O'Hara, what a bitch. I find it hard to say I loved the book since I couldn't stand the main character.

[kraysaulis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought I would hate this book. Thought I'd have to drag myself through it. But I absolutely LOVED it. It was amazing. I'll read it again and again, I'm sure.

Oh, and I think Johnny Depp should play Captain Butler in a new movie version.

[zura27 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Started out slow, but then it was hard to put it down. Major tearjerker, so I don't recommend finishing it somewhere like at work or other place that you might not want to be seen crying.

[karin7-11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I lioved this book in high school, but couldn't abide Scarlett when I tried to reread this. The rating averages the 5 from high school with a 3 for now.

[ecw0647 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Don't trust my stars. I read this in high school 40 years ago. Couldn't put it down then, but who knows what I would think now.

[shavonjones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the first long books I ever read as a pre-teen growing up in the south. Loved it! Was absolutely convinced I was Scarlet (even though I'm Black).

[mzzkitee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has it all. A little bit of history, a beautiful but tragic setting, an enchanting leading man and strong heroine. Love it!!!

[kathywoodall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books you can't help but enjoy. The details that Ms. Mitchell gives of the Civil War makes you feel your right there watching it. Scarlett O'Hara will always be on of most favorite characters. I have to admit I didn't care all that much for Rhett Butler. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical novels.

[jkcollins_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book at least a half dozen times or more, and I'm not one to re-read books. It's just such a classic epic romance!

[writercity · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Between Scarlett O'Hara, Melanie Wilkes, and Rhett Butler...how could this book not be so beloved? Its beauty has no end, even for a modern generation.

[birdo82 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's as racist as one would expect of a novel written in the South, in the '30s, about slave holders. But beneath that lies the depth of an American classic with an intricately complex heroine that is worthy of its place in Americana.

[tadad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel was a surprisingly enjoyable read. I expected a romance...1000+ pages of romance, for heaven's sake!. Well, there is that aspect of it...but I found a lot to be thoughtful about, also. Not perfect, but eminently readable. As for the length, never mind; it's a quick read.However, despite the fact that it dumbs the book down a bit, I think watching the movie is the better experience...an uncommon feeling for me.

[mlyons1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's "Gone with the Wind" man. Just go with it.

[sitnknitn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this book some years ago when I was quite young. It's the first book I remember reading that I didn't want ever to end. I'm certainly no expert on the Civil War era, so I can't comment on the historical accuracy of any of it. But it certainly has enough history to make one interested in the period, while at the same time having enough drama to keep one's attention. There are many memorable characters in literature, and Scarlet is definitely near the top of the list.

[kamgeb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's a classic and I'm glad that I read it. It was well written and kept my attention. I was surprised by how pro antebellum south and how anti Yankee it was. I don't think I would ever reread it because it didn't stir up new ideas for me.

[saradiann-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Who doesn't love this book? Scarlet is so shallow, but I still pull for her. Melanie is so weak and sweet, but for some reason she's the bad guy. This novel defies conventional expectations

[janestarwood-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can one say about Gone With the Wind that hasn't already been said a million times. Simply superb, unforgettable, ravishing...and on and on.

[anagarika0sean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this in High School, and enjoyed learning about Southern culture during the time period. I really liked Mr. Butler. He's one of my favorite all-time characters.

[gogglemiss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First rate story, but I did not like Scarlett at all. How the saintly Melanie could forgive her anything, is beyond understanding. The build up to the Civil War and throughout was so realistic and very interesting, though I did get a little lost with the political aspect, just like Scarlett!

[westadults · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jenn's pick. Read this book and find out why it's considered one of the greatest love stories of all time.

[elaine58_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book ten times not necessarily because I like Scarlett and her manipulative deception, but because she is also fearless and determined. I also enjoy the historical backdrop of the Civil War era. On another note, while I realize another author in recent years "added" to the story, I've not read this book. I simply can't imagine perfecting the story and choose to leave Scarlett and her story to my imagination, the way Ms. Mitchell intended.

[diwms · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WONDERFUL~

[meizi2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I like this book.At the same time ,I feel sorry for the endings.

[size12isnotfat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gone With the Wind is a mesmorizing, whirlwind journey of the South through the Civil War and Reconstruction. This book is an absolutely fantastic book. The vocabulary is rich and vibrant, bringing both the characters and the landscape to life. This is a book everyone should read at least once in their lives!

[ex_ottoyuhr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some 19th-century novels work, and remain thoroughly readable even today. Others are absolute flops, remembered, if at all, because academics still like assigning them, or because someone came along and saved them with a Golden Age Hollywood movie. _A Tale of Two Cities_ and _Ben-Hur_ are in the latter category, but _Gone with the Wind_ is with _Last of the Mohicans_ in the former.

[ibreak4books · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed the love story when I first read it. On rereading it, now, as an adult, I am enjoying looking at a picture of the southern culture that disappeared with the Civil War.

[steadfastreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another fabulous book perhaps made more fabulous by the iconic film. Honestly, it's hard to say which is better. Despite the film this is still truly worth the read.

The characters are more complex and interesting in the novel - though the movie remains true to the story. You have to overlook the idealized version of slavery that the book presents - it's not right, but it makes a damn good story.

Read it.