Rating: 
Summary: Not a Speck of Maragret Mitchell Here
Review: "Gone With the Wind" is my favorite novel of all time, and I am a voracious and well-read reader, most notably of the great classics. As many fans must feel, it is dissapointing to know that a major reason that Margaret Mitchell did not write a sequel was due to her distaste of the spotlight. However, reread the original "Gone With the Wind" and use your imagination as to how Rhett and Scarlett would have overcome their troubles and eventually find eachother again. It will be far more comforting than reading this "sequel".
No, Ms. Ripley is not a bad author in her own sense, but her style will remind you of those romance novels you read in junior high; not the intellectual, lush prose, extensive characterizations and authentic scenery provided by Ms. Mitchell. And Ripley's characterizations of Rhett and Scarlett do not ring true. Frequently Scarlett narrates the novel (something Mitchell never allowed), and she is initially introduced as a desperate, scared, selfish character who never reflects on her any of her old experiences- she is only an old overacted archetype of Scarlett. I would have expected Ripley to begin where the other book ended, but it is almost as if Scarlett had never known Melanie or Ashley, had a final insight into her mistakes and confrontational blow with Rhett. All is forgotten, much like taking two steps forward and five steps back. Both of her children are only mentioned in two scenes- that's forgotten too. Knock Tara and Mammy and Atlanta and Ashley off the list as well, and you see...well everything about the original is gone. No, this is in no way a sequel to what Margaret Mitchell wrote, but it would make an above average Harlequin romance. It could be called "Scarlett O' Hara's Irish Adventure!" or something of that sort.
I'd like to think that instead of this scenario, Scarlett would retreat a bit,examine her conscience(but not too much!), go home to Tara, teach Wade and Ella a bit of her business sense and love o' the land, keep her promise to Melanie and also watch over Beau. That's what Scarlett O'Hara was- willful, strong, and always a survivor. In the end, I feel that Rhett was probably testing her by leaving, but would still keep a watchful eye on her- as he frequently did throughout the novel- to see if her newgrown heart was truly real. Remember too, that he is an emotional wreck after the miscarraige, Bonnie and Melanie's death, and a blow to his ego upon learning that Scarlett has promised Melanie to look after Beau and Ashley, which furthers my theory that he would return to Scarlett...later. But if you want your Scarlett to act like a desperate coward, who abandons everything in life, read this "sequel".
Rating: 
Summary: A background for Scarlett was needed
Review: I thought this book was excellent (but only 4 stars because it can't quite measure up to GWTW) because it brought depth and history to Scarlett and to Rhett. All those questions I had about their history and their families were answered. It was as if Scarlett finding her roots and making it on her own had the power to change her into a three dimensional person, and Rhett going off on the wrong path was what was needed to show him that Scarlett was the one (sorry to spoil it if you haven't read it yet--it's been out for at least the past 10 years, read it already!!)
Further, Scarlett giving away Tara was necessary for her to completely let go of a past that "did things to her" (quoting Rhett here), so she could move on and find the good things that would make her a whole human being. She had to let the belle go so she could become the woman she should be.
I love that Rhett was able to find "something of grace and charm" in Charleston, but it came at a high price, and he eventually realized that Scarlett was connected to that grace and charm, something he had all along and never realized he had (a gleeful turning of the tables for the "don't give a damn" comment to Scarlett, and mirroring the same situation Scarlett found herself in at the end of GWTW)
I also like that there was political upheaval, rivaling that of the US Civil War, in the fight between Irish and English lords. I love the sections about the Irish thoroughbreds and the witch and Cat. Basically, this was a fitting sequel to GWTW, and I'm glad the author seemed to like Scarlett as much as I always have. It's been a lonely position for me for many years to be the only one to see Scarlett as a hero, while others have always looked at her with a shallow eye and seen someone selfish and narrow minded. I like her strength, and it comes out in this novel in spades. Read it, make your own judgements.
My best recommendation about this book is that it doesn't continue the oppression of African Americans. It's not that it's overly politically correct, but it lets go of that past and the resulting change in the attitudes of the characters is worthy of who we believe them to be. Nuff said, again, I recommend this book .
Rating: 
Summary: It's not what you'd expect...
Review: When I read this book after it's release I thought I'd never finish it. Fortunately, I'd purchased the paperback so in time I gave it a second chance. After that, my opinion completely changed.What initially was a confusion of foreign ideas to me became a beautiful story of conviction, strength and love. Who of us can say in our lifetimes have never had a metamorphosis? As much as I love GWTW it was a long time coming for Scarlett. As her self-centered ways endured her to me, they frustrated me even more. How could someone go through their life being so ungodly shallow? Was there any humanity(other than for herself) in her heart? Sometimes we have to just grow up and accept those changes for us in our lives. To expect Scarlett NOT to change is completely absurd to me. She NEEDED to change. Rhett also changed. Margaret Mitchell made it clear he had a very tough center with a little soft spot inside. His love for Bonnie and though harder, his love for Scarlett showed this. His caring for Melly and also Belle, showed the same. Ms. Ripley took what Ms. Mitchell started and creatively expanded upon it. Alexandra Ripley dug in and found exactly what I was looking for in Scarlett. The strength and conviction to finally do what is right. The love to fight for the man she loved, not because her selfish ways dictated it, but because she realized she really, truly loved him. Why is it so unusual that she give Tara away? Scarlett has had a history of letting go of things she wanted badly once she conquered them. Once she felt like Tara was completely hers, it was hers to give away. She didn't really give it to her sister as much as she gave it to Will. She respected him and all that he did for the plantation. I could go on and on about this book. Every time I read it I discover new things that capture me. I have worn the paperback out so now I finally got myself a hardcover. I look forward to keeping this in my library of treasured books for years to come. Give it a chance, maybe it will endure itself to your heart as it did to me.
Rating: 
Summary: Where is Rhett?
Review: The problem that I have with this book, is all of my favorite characters (except Scarlett) are missing for most of the book. Melanie and Mammy are gone, and Rhett makes only brief appearances. The appeal of Gone With the Wind was Scarlett's relationships with these three people, as well as her love for Tara, which is also missing. A big disappointment, but I should have known that it would be.
Rating:
Summary: Well Hush My Mouth!
Review: GONE WITH THE WIND ends with a question mark. Scarlett's ideal mate, Rhett Butler, has left her--and she is determined to get him back. But can she? Did she? And author Margaret Mitchell was beseiged with fans who wanted to know. To one and all Mitchell gave the same answer: the story ended where it ended. There was nothing more to tell. But where there is a will, there is a way--and especially so where there is a buck to be made. Some thirty-plus years after her untimely death, Mitchell's estate was persuaded to release the rights, and Alexandria Ripley was contracted to "finish" the story. Although she is writing a sequel, Ripley goes to considerable pain to prevent readers from compairing her style and her novel to Mitchell's style and her novel--and so, wisely perhaps, Ripley wastes little time in killing off Mammy and moving the action out of Georgia entirely. But Ripley also revises the leading characters, and in the most bizarre ways imaginable. Scarlett gives Tarah to her sister Sue Ellen and runs off to Ireland, where she learns it is much easier to dance a jig if you take your corset off first. Give away Tara? To the sister she always hated? Ireland? Stranger still, when Rhett leaves Scarlett he goes to Charleston, where he tries to make amends with his family while also indulging his love of horticulture. HORTICULTURE? Well Hush My Mouth And Stuff Me With Chiltins! Now, Ripley--who is best known for such mild-mannered but best-selling historical romances as CHARLESTON--isn't a bad writer. And frankly, if we changed the names Rhett and Scarlett to something else, this would be an okay book. But Ripley ain't no Margaret Mitchell. And Ripley's versions of Scarlett and Rhett have about as much to do with Mitchell's original creations as Santa Claus has to do with the Fourth of July. As Mitchell said, the story ended where it ended; there was nothing more to tell. And frankly, my dear, Alexandra Ripley should have left it at that.
Rating:
Summary: totally missing the point!
Review: Ok, I tried it. I even went out and bought a FIRST EDITION (not a wise investment). I think Ms. Ripley missed the point. Remember in GWTW that Scarlett would do anything to keep her precious Tara? It was the motivation behind the underhanded things that she did. In the sequel, she simply passed Tara on to Suellen and hightailed it to Ireland. The Scarlett of the South and of GWTW would have NEVER done that!! The book was believeable at the beginning; I was actually interested when Scarlett went to Charleston, and I was glad to "meet" the Butler family. After that, it got too weird for me. Not one to put a book down, I trudged through to the end. I was very disappointed and would advise only the curious to read this book. Don't expect much out of it!
Rating: 
Summary: I'm torn
Review: Pretend for a moment that "Scarlett" is just an ordinary novel, having nothing to do with GWTW. Looked at from that perspective, it's not bad at all. The O'Hara's are, for the most part, lively characters and well written. Aunts Pauline and Eulalie and horrid old Grandfather are the people you like to hate, and Eleanor Butler is a kindly woman with whom we have an enjoyable visit. The problem comes, of course, when you look at the fact that this *is* a sequel to GWTW, a book that Margaret Mitchell herself never wanted written (she was adamant that the story ended with Rhett leaving Scarlett, and that was that). Ripley wisely does not spend too much time with the characters Mitchell created, instead whisking Scarlett off for adventures with Rhett's family, her own Irish cousins, and her mother's family in Charleston. As I said, I found the characters well-drawn and the story absorbing in and of itself. The settings seem well researched and written with a good amount of detail. It's an enjoyable read. As a big fan of GWTW, I must admit some satisfaction at the continuation of Scarletrt's story, and her eventual reunion with Rhett; however, this is always tempered with the small, niggling feeling that this story, entertaining as it may be, is not anything Margaret Mitchell would have written, or wanted written by anyone else.
Rating:
Summary: Don't even bother!
Review: Gone With the Wind remains my favorite book of all time, but just reading the first few pages of its sequel was enough to make me put it down. The author, Alexandra Ripley, possesses none of the captivating writing ability of Margaret Mitchell. A pat on the back to Mrs. Ripley for her effort and attempt to write a sequel. However, the story disappointed. The Scarlett we loved from GWTW was out of character, and everything in the sequel was so awkward to read. Some scenes took the term melodramatic to a whole new level. All I could do was shake my head at all the inaccurate portrayals and, of course, put the book down and lock it away so no more inquisitive GWTW fans could get their hopes for a worthwhile sequel crushed. By the way, when I filled in 1 star, I meant NO STARS!
Rating:
Summary: well, I did finish it....
Review: Being a writer myself, I think I could do more justice to Scarlett then this book, but oh well. Basically, Ms. Riply just took the names of Margret Mitchell's beloved characters (well, few she didn't kill off) and some of her plot. But she takes it to a whole new setting, and the characters have lost all their remarkable spark which made us love gone with the wind in the first place. So basically, it's GWTH minus the lovable characters and minus the interesting plot. I did finish the book, it was long, and took a while since i never really did get into it, but I finished. There was an ending, but after all that reading, it just stopped. Everything was tided up too quickly, as if someone said to Ms. Riply, that's all the pages you have, you most tie everything up now, after she had blabbered on about nothing the rest of the time. I personally did not like it, but I would recommend finding out for yourself. If you like long books that drag on with no real purpose, you'll love it!
Rating:
Summary: Garbage!
Review: This has got to be one of the worst books I've ever read. Why in the world Alexandra Ripley, who is a mediocre author at best, was chosen to write the sequel to GWTW I have no idea. The characters were unrecognizable and the writing is pathetic. Calling this book a sequel to GWTW is an insult to Margaret Mitchell's memory. Whoever chose Ripley to write it must have been either drunk at the time or illiterate. Don't waste your money.
|
