Saturday, May 1, 2010

Guess What I'm Reading!

16 comments:

Martha said...

That's a GORGEOUS shot of Miz Scawlett. There sure was some great costuming in that movie...

Um. I know we're here about books :D

DRD said...

But we could be here about awesome costumes, just for a little while, you know? I want a huge dress like that.
And I just read the book. So I can be here for both :)

Christine said...

I want to wear a big swingy dress with petticoats and a huge sun hat like the one Scarlett wears to the picnic at Twelve Oaks!

DRD said...

Yeah! Yeah!

Christine said...

Danika, I know you read it recently. Martha, when did you last read GWTW?

Martha said...

Um, I'm somewhat certain I've read it. Of course, I'm also confusing it with that horrid monstrosity of a sequel, "Scarlett."

I'm fairly certain I read it but once, and that it was possibly in late middle school. It wasn't a "reread" for me, as I never was and have never been into "war books" or books set during wars. I know, I know. I'm a dainty Elizabethan girl. Wars were discussed, but in a courtly, far-from-home way. Feel free to judge. I would. :D

P.S. It's not that I find war passages/books too upsetting, graphic, etc. but more that I think it's boring. (To ME.) My brain was never interested. A writer has to be REALLY compelling. Maybe someone could make a recommendation?

Christine said...

Martha! Read Gone with the Wind! Now! With me!

Actually, chances are very good that you would read it in, like, two days, while I'll be reading it for three more weeks.

But still! You should!

DRD said...

Yeah, she's right, Martha. I'm with you, war books are horribly tedious. Gone With the Wind doesn't have too much of that tedium, and quite a bit that's more than worth it.

Lisa G. said...

I remember liking Gone With the Wind when I read it years ago. I'm wondering, if I reread it, if I would detect any inherent racism that I might not have detected during the first go (my memory is super foggy; I mostly remember Scarlett's procrastination, her annoyance with her first husband, her infatuation and later disillusionment with Ashley, her tumultuous relationship with Rhett, etc.). It seemed like it was very personal to Scarlett's experiences, and that she was not terribly worldly, so maybe there wasn't much in the way of social commentary one way or the other.

Don said...

Could this blog BE more girly?

Christine said...

Scarlett and Rhett are memorable and unique characters. They are the best things in the book.

The worst is the terrible position on slavery. Mitchell portrays slaves in GWTW as happy and grateful for their imprisonment and forced labor.

Soph said...

Oooh..kinda makes me want to see the movie. good summertime stuff.

Martha said...

Didn't Ashley marry his cousin?

And Don, yes, it COULD be more girly. Be careful what you wish for!!! ;D

Christine said...

Yes, those Wilkeses always marry their own cousins. It's what has kept them kinda queer all these years with their interest in books and music and art and all. Why, they only have half an interest in natural things like ridin' and drinkin' and playin' cards. Those Wilkeses are a funny breed.

Martha said...

Don't forget husband-slapping, Christine!

marysuemcginn said...

I LOVED GWTW! I've read it many times and have never been disappointed. The costume descriptions! The psycho-dynamic interactions! The flaws & strengths & complexities of the characters. And the innuendo. And, Martha, I actually liked Scarlett, too. Another book, Rhett Butler's People, or something like that, came out a few years ago: It was hideous.