Gone with the Wind question

It really is long. I listened to it on audio, mercifully, but it's worth every minute.

It's not at all what I expected based on references and memes over the years, but in a wonderful way. It's not a mushy, one-note love story, it really is EPIC.

You actually feel cheated after reading it and then watching the movie.

Definitely something I'm glad to have checked off the bucket list.

Finish it, it does get better!

I put this book off for the longest time. I picked it up to read with the intention of reading it & putting it in the giveaway file. Some how it hooked me because it did have differences from the movie. However.... with all the great OTHER books that do hook you..put it down & move on to something else. You might be ready for it later on or maybe never.. For me....I am now going to keep this book. A true surprise for me.

Put it down and back away. Reading a book that doesn't grip you is never a good idea. You should be reading books because you love them and for no other reason.
That being said, I LOVE Gone With the Wind. I read it when I was about 25 and I could not put it down. Scarlett is a character that you love and hate at the same time. She is vain, arrogant and selfish. But she is also strong and determined. She grows in so many ways throughout the book and at the end you really want her to succeed.
You should definitely move to another book for now, but try this one again in a few years. You won't be sorry.

I read it over one weekend when I was 11, couldn't put it down. Finished it on Monday after I got home from school. I had already seen the movie but the book had so much more going on, so it was still interesting.

Yes, it is 1000 pgs long, but stick with it, because the book is worth it. It took me a couple of YEARS to finish "Lord of the Rings" (also 1000 pages), but I'm glad I did.

I agree with Mrsbooks suggestion to at least skim the book until you get back to the plot...but if it's still boring you, I think you should at least see the movie!

Why is this even up for discussion? OF COURSE YOU SHOULD!!!!!

Look, if you're that much through it, but you still have so much to go, and you're not into it, put it aside. Maybe pick it up again later. I don't think it's worth it to waste your time on a book that you're not enjoying when you could be reading books that you will actually like. That being said, I've read "Gone with the Wind" twice. I enjoyed it I think BECAUSE of all of the details that Mitchell includes in painting the picture of these characters, these settings, their lives. Maybe you'll pick it up again some time and really get into it, but I wouldn't recommend stinking out a book (a pretty long one at that) if it's just going to be a waste of your time.

I agree with Susan and Hegemb - I absolutely love 'Gone with the Wind', it is one of my favourite novels of all time. That said, if you are not enjoying it, I would move on. Like Hegemb I used to feel I had to stick with a book to the bitter end, but now feel life's too short and there are too many other books I want to read, to persevere with a book I am not enjoying.

My mom told when this book came out she would walk down the street reading it barely avoiding people, cars, etc....because she couldn't put it down.
I picked it up when I was 18 or 19 and HATED it. I thought Scarlett was a vain dingbat all that business about her 17 inch waist. I like the historical setting more. So I didn't finish it.
when I was about 23-24 I picked it up again and finished it. I still didn't like Scarlett or Rhett much. But again-the historical setting kept me going...
Go figure. (And Ive only seen the movie once...on TV)

My wife and I read aloud on car trips and we started this... but the trip didn't last long enough. Sad to say we have set it aside for the time being until the next road trip. "Life in Dixie During the War" would have been a better length.

I think I've read it 8 times. First time I read it I was about 18 years old. It's funny that after all this time I'm 47 now I still think it's on the list of top 5 books I've ever read. LOVE IT!

I have read it 3 times. It's a wonderful saga of days gone by.

I know it's long, but it's SOOOO good! Once the characters really start jumping out at you it gets easier to read. Hope you can stick with it and see what all the hype is about!

The beginning of the book, with all the background of the O’Hara family and many of the other Clayton County families, too, can drag a bit, but you won’t really get to know Rhett or see the Rhett/Scarlett relationship unfold unless you read more. Once Scarlett gets to Atlanta the story really takes off. Please try to persist, I don’t think you’ll regret it!

I used to complete ALL books I started. Now I have a 100-page rule. If it has not gripped me by then (depending a bit on how big the book is) I figure it probably will not and I stop. I do remember reading GWTW as a teen, and I loved it. It needs to be read quite continously I think.

I had already seen the movie when I read the book, so I wasn't reading to find out "what happened next". If you are totally a plot driven reader, just skip the book. Read the book to get the richness of the descriptions of the period. It is WAY more rich in observations about life at that time than the movie. Plus, there is a lot that they cut out of the movie that is in the book.

I'm with Susan. Gone with the Wind is my favorite book and I've read it numerous times since high school.

I don't know what kind of reader you are, but for me, I find that sometimes the descriptions of people, places etc are a bit long and I get bored. I'm more into the plot, the things said, and the feelings the characters have. If you are like me and have a problem getting through descriptions, then skim them.

Well, this is my favorite book of all time. I've read it multiple times since junior high. I usuallly read it through nonstop so the thought of putting it down seems very foreign to me. As a huge fan of the book I say by all means finish it. But, if it's a book that is very easy for you to put down and it doesn't hold your interest than maybe the book just isn't right for you? Perhaps watching the movie will peak you rinterest in the book more? The movie is very faithful to the book, although there are a few characters left out and a few of Scarlett's journeys in the beginning aren't mentioned. The movie is quite excellent, in my opinion. (It's also my favorite movie) Hope this helps somewhat. :)