Helpful Score: 6
The sequel to "Gone with the Wind," but from a different perspective than the original--that of a slave girl (same age as Scarlett O'Hara) who had lived at Tara. Readable, poignant. I don't know why I expected something kind of silly--maybe bcs of the title (which sounds like a flippant parody of the original), and bcs of the words "An unauthorised parody" on the front of the book. I didn't think this was humourous; not sure why they marketed it that way. Also, it is *not* written in severe vernacular (as you might expect it would be from the title). I love the book Gone With the Wind, and reading this book did not change that. It just felt as though I had been given a wider perspective, a grittier, possibly more true vision of the same cast of characters as their lives proceeded beyond the point at which the first book left off.
Helpful Score: 5
After finishing Gone with the Wind, I figured that a nice companion piece would be to read this book as it was written from a Tara slave's perspective, specifically that of Scarlett's half-sister, Cynara (daughter of Mammy and Mr. O'Hara). As this was an unauthorized book, names of people and places have been changed, but you know exactly who they are by the descriptions or the pseudonyms. I really wanted to like this book, but I was quite disappointed. I was hoping that it would recount the events from GWTW from Cynara's POV, but instead it picks up where GWTW leaves off and goes on from there. Also, the writing style was quite jumpy and I just didn't like it. I understand that it's supposed to be from the text of a diary, but I felt that GWTW did a much better job showing what was in a character's mind, and in a more subtle way. There were certain moments that really shined (I did enjoy a series of letters written by Scarlett's mother, called "Lady" in this story, and the revelation that went with it), but other parts just really seemed to drag. If it wasn't for the fact that this book was short (a little more than 200 pages) and the fact that I try to never give up reading any book, I'm not sure I would have finished it. I just wasn't my cup of tea. Conceptually, it's a great idea for a book and I do appreciate it for that, but I just didn't like the actual execution of it.
Helpful Score: 4
Although it calls itself a "parody" (for legal reasons, I imagine) this is not a humorous book. It is more the flip side to the saccharine romantisim of the original "classic". I much prefer this version. Her expressions cut to the heart and make one remember the horrible history of the south and experience the beauty of a free soul. Truly a story to enlighten those of us who take it all for granted.
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this book until about 3/4 of the way through. I was not thrilled with the ending.
Helpful Score: 4
A new perspective on the classic "Gone with the Wind". A love story to remind you that there are always 3 sides to every story: his side, her side and the truth.
Helpful Score: 3
A really biting satire of Gone With the Wind.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent book. I have read "Gone with the Wind" and "Scarlett" but it was great to hear the story from a totally different point of view. I love the character of Cynara.
Helpful Score: 2
If you like your revisionist history laced with dry humor, this so-called parody may seduce you. As a "Gone With the Wind" fan, I could overlook the less ludicrous rearrangements but not such glaring oversights as changing how Gerald O'Hara died. In Alice Randall's parallel universe to Tara, the slaves run the show, and there are deeper, more disturbing motivations behind most characters than we ever might have dreamed. Despite some thought-provoking premises, multi-layered metaphors, clever twists and poetic passages, "The Wind Done Gone" dissolves into mundane and dubiously resolved romance. The doppelgangers of Rhett and Scarlett bear none of the original characters' fire, and the corruption of Melanie into the murderous "Mealy Mouth" is ridiculous beyond contempt. Given the nauseatingly racist language and imagery of the original novel, it's understandable why someone would want to recast it from an African American perspective. Randall succeeds on some levels and fails on others, with her take on Prissy being particularly memorable and astute. The rationale for Bonnie's fear of the dark is pure genius, although I still don't understand what finding a clothespin in her bed had to do with it.
Great parody of "Gone with the Wind".. very good book
I like 'Gone With the Wind', so I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book, but I picked it up on sale, and I was pleasantly surprised. The main character, Cynara, was born a slave on Tara, a southern plantation. It is the story of her life, her tribulations and triumphs, her inner-most thoughts, desires and dreams, recorded in diary-like format.
The story paints an interesting picture of the South, one I enjoyed reading.
The story paints an interesting picture of the South, one I enjoyed reading.
I love books and even manage to force myself to finish some, but this is an atrocity to the publishing world. Anyone who loves Gone With the Wind, would be horrified and offended. This book would do best in a Farenheit 451 setting.
