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By Margaret Mitchell
"Until you lose your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is"
I read Gone with the wind when i was 14. And the quote that inspired me most was the one above. Others are hopelessly overrated quotes. The above explains volumes about how beautifully Margaret Mitchell could explain big things in a simple sentence - its a pity that she published only one book in her lifetime. But what a book! Either you write it this big or you don't write at all.
A heart wrenching family saga, a romance like no other, background elements that could give Hardy a run for his money and despite all these amazing stuff that makes up this great book, the one that stands out, the one thing that will be unforgettable is the heroine who can take anything in her stride. Life literally throws the biggest challenges to her and she treats it like its a daily household chore.
One critique here mentions that i hardly write a review, so i will not go into details to explain why the quote above inspired me. Rather let me write something about the book itself.
This book should be read when you think that life has been quite unfair. It comes like a whack on the head and tells one to wake up and take charge.
Scarlet O'Hara was not beautiful, but had a gut that could stand the harshest storms, the coldest winds and what have you and still remains an eternal optimist! Albeit in her own style! There is a thing or two we could learn from this bravado.
In your lowest of times, pick this book and you will realize that there are bigger problems and there is always a way to deal with them and that yours is just one of those. Because a problem is one only till a solution comes along.
I know, this isn't quite a review either, but hell i will think about it tomorrow for 'tomorrow is another day'!
5 comments:
Your significant other leaves and whether or not it's true, you're certain it's for greener pastures. Or your best friend, the one you could allow in your private space even when you desperately want to be lefet alone. Or you're facing a long weekend alone, because everyone you know is going out of town, and you would too, except for the fact that your job is giving you a rift and you are struggling to keep afloat. Or.....well, you get the picture right.
At times like these you need a book. A big book like you said Margaret's book is, a book that will take you out of yourself and draw you to its world. A book in which the main characters have so many problems that yours seem minor by comparison. A book that will wrap its cover around you and comfort you while you laugh and cry.
You need the GONE WITH THE WIND.
Your review is really good, Ira...in portraying the pathos of Scarlett and what the book stands for. It is a great book to pick up when things are just not right and you begin to think, "but why me?".
It will not be right on my part to write this critique without admitting that this is one of two books that I never managed to complete, William Shirer's "Rise and Fall of Third Reich" being the other"
I have read up to the point when Ashley leaves her around the end and I just could not drag myself till the end. The book becomes too dark with everything falling apart and I felt that the triumphant human spirit was no where in sight. But then to give Scarlett her due, the perilious journey of Scarlett across war torn America, the shooting of a soldier at her home deserves more than a simple credit. It makes Scarlett the epitome of women "survivors", a wall against "zephyr libertines".
You did justice to the Gone With the Wind Ira.
Making up before its too late is it?
:)
Thanks Tito for this. You know interestingly i am going to catch you on your first sentence. Its never a good thing to sit and read a book when your significant other leaves you :)
It has to be stand up and so something. hehhehhe!
And also not when your job is at stake - here too action is required.
But read this one in case you need osme motivation or if you feel like picking up a self help book.
You caught me on this one!!!! I know what you mean!!! I shall not dig on this any further.
But this has been a better review than the other and I acknowledge that!!!!
looks like we can now be friends :P
This is the best comment I have ever received. This is like achieving the impossible, cutting the gordian knot. The leviathan vanquished....hmmm...Capt Ahab survives this time....
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