Books I Loathed discussion

Absolute crap. I didn't so much loathe the book per se as I did the characters, but that to me makes the whole thing deplorable, since you spend all those excruciating pages with them. 980 pages (or more; I didn't count) of Ashley, Ashley, Ashley, Ashley...! Me, me, me! Money, money, money! It's enough to drive anyone insane, and then to have an epiphany at the very end, yet still not change? Scarlett O'Hara is the worst character ever created. Ever. Although, Isabella Swan is coming close...and I haven't even finished Twilight yet. *shudders*

I agree that I don't especially enjoy all the emphasis put on Ashley and how much Scarlett was in love with him, but I also think that it was important for the plot and to understand Scarlett's character, whom we are not really supposed to like but respect for her stubborness to survive.

Isabella Swan is a MUCH worse character. And GWTW has Rhett, so that is a major bonus.

Margaret Mitchel said that this story isn't about Scarlett, it's about the Civil War and its after-effects. That's why you're not asked to like the characters, as they are only created in the best way to suit the storyline.

Keep in mind, Scarlett isn't a likable character but she's brave and survives situations that would have killed weaker ones. She survives war, poverty, near rape, loveless marriages, miscarriage, loss of a child and so on. I don't like her, but I respect her.

One of the reasons I enjoyed GWTW is the capriciousness of Scarlett's nature, she's so ambitious and driven that she ultimately destroyed her greatest chance at happiness. I didn't enjoy the Ashley aspect of the story but I like to think that at the end she finally matures and goes on a quest to win Rhett back.

Yes that's right.

Everyone blames the person if you ask me, Scarlett is performed as if she is a innocent victim of three love-less marriages but to be honest, she isn't...it's really Rhett who should get some of the praise. Yes, he has terrible characteristics and habits but not everyone in the dark is a gray cat, he gave Scarlett too many chances if you ask me once again with life and she realized only too late that he truly did love her.