Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind is praised for its rich, immersive portrayal of the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction. The strong, complex character of Scarlett O'Hara captivates readers. However, its romanticized depiction of the Confederacy and racial stereotypes can be problematic. Overall, the novel remains a compelling but controversial epic.

A reader who enjoys sweeping historical sagas, intricate romances, and complex characters will be captivated by Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. Fans of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy will appreciate the rich, dramatic narrative and vivid depiction of a bygone era.

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell follows Scarlett O'Hara, the resourceful and determined daughter of a wealthy Georgia plantation owner, as she navigates love, loss, and survival during and after the Civil War. Scarlett's journey is impacted by her unrequited love for Ashley Wilkes and her turbulent relationship with the charming Rhett Butler, set against the backdrop of the South's decline. The book includes depictions of combat, sexual assault, and discriminatory language.

Melancholic / Romantic / Nostalgic / Emotional / Bittersweet

- Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind was her first and only published novel, earning her the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937.
- The character of Rhett Butler was inspired by Mitchell's first husband, Red Upshaw, a colorful and charismatic figure whose personality traits and life experiences influenced the creation of Butler's character.
- The novel was initially met with mixed critical reception but went on to sell over a million copies within six months of its publication, becoming an enduring classic.

**Scarlett O’Hara**  
The headstrong, determined eldest daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, whose life and character evolve significantly due to the events and hardships she faces.

**Rhett Butler**  
A charming and shrewd rogue with a dashing appearance, who becomes both a romantic interest and a complex partner to Scarlett, noted for his sardonic wit and entrepreneurial spirit.

**Melanie Wilkes**  
A gentle and loyal woman married to Ashley, characterized by her unwavering kindness and resilience, though she often appears frail and understated.

**Ashley Wilkes**  
A contemplative and honorable man with intellectual inclinations, who finds himself at odds with the post-war world, and is the longstanding object of Scarlett's affection.

**Mammy**  
An authoritative and nurturing head servant in the O’Hara household, known for her loyalty to the family and her candid opinions on Scarlett’s behavior.

**Gerald O’Hara**  
Scarlett’s Irish immigrant father, who is a lively and ambitious man devoted to his family and the plantation he built into a successful estate.

**Ellen O’Hara**  
Scarlett’s serene and compassionate mother, who manages Tara with grace and is deeply involved in the welfare of her community.

**Aunt Pittypat Hamilton**  
A timid and anxious spinster aunt living in Atlanta, who provides a home for Scarlett and Melanie during key moments in their lives.

**Bonnie Blue Butler**  
The cherished and spirited daughter of Scarlett and Rhett, whose lively personality and striking blue eyes endear her to her parents.

**Suellen O’Hara**  
Scarlett’s scheming middle sister, who eventually marries and manages parts of the family’s affairs at Tara.

**Carreen O’Hara**  
The youngest O’Hara sibling, deeply pious and reserved, who withdraws from social life following personal loss.

**Will Benteen**  
A steadfast Confederate veteran who becomes a vital part of Tara’s management and family life, contributing to the plantation’s recovery.

**Frank Kennedy**  
A cautious and modest shopkeeper who becomes Scarlett’s second husband, through whom she gains further business influence and acumen.

**Charles Hamilton**  
Scarlett’s amiable first husband and brother to Melanie, whose marriage to Scarlett is brief and marked by his untimely death.

**Uncle Peter**  
The capable and devoted majordomo of Aunt Pittypat’s household, who is essential in managing the affairs of her household.

**Wade Hamilton**  
Scarlett’s anxious son with her first husband, Charles, who is shaped by the turbulent events around him.

**Ella Kennedy**  
Scarlett’s daughter with Frank, largely overlooked by her mother, who considers her somewhat scatterbrained.

**Belle Watling**  
A resourceful and independent businesswoman who owns a brothel in Atlanta, and despite being marginalized, plays a critical role in providing aid to key characters.

Margaret Mitchell

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Part 1, Chapters 1-4

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Part 1, Chapters 5-7

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Part 2, Chapters 8-11

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Part 2, Chapters 12-16

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Part 3, Chapters 17-23

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Part 3, Chapters 24-30

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Part 4, Chapters 31-36

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Part 4, Chapters 37-41

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Part 4, Chapters 42-47

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Part 5, Chapters 48-54

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Part 5, Chapters 55-63

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