Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind"

Unless you are fan of Margaret Mitchell and read her book, you can ignore the low reviews. My review is for those who only saw the movie GONE WITH THE WIND. After seeing the movie for the umpteenth time and once again being disappointed there was no happy ending (sorry you classic lovers, but the ending where Scarlett says she'll find a way to win Rhett back just begs for the rest of the story!), I was glad there was a sequel where I'd get my happy ending even if it had to be written by someone other than Margaret Mitchell. SCARLETT satisfies the romance lover's need for the ending we crave. It tells us what happened to Scarlett and Rhett after he left her, after she declared her love for him and he told her he didn't give a damn. The story begins in 1873, as Melanie, Scarlett's lifelong friend, is buried and the mourners standing around gossip about Scarlett, saying she's "all business, and no heart." When Atlanta society cuts her, Scarlett is left very much alone. It's the bane of a strong woman's existence, that people think she doesn't care and hate her for it when, in fact, she cares very much though she doesn't allow herself to show it. Of course, in Gone With The Wind Scarlett was selfish and spurned Rhett's love when offered. And when she finally realized she loved him, it was too late. He believes she only wants him because he doesn't want her. But stay tuned...Scarlett is about to grow up. Where you wanted to slap her in the movie, now you will want to hug her as she triumphs over many trials on the way to learning how to love. For much of the 823 pages, the story is told through Scarlett's perspective. Though Scarlett shows great kindness to others and pursues Rhett because she genuinely loves him, her motives are often misunderstood and others, quick to judge, reject her. Society snubs her and Rhett is cold, even cruel. His only aim is to get out of the marriage, describing her as a drug that will destroy him. (It was easy to see Clark Gable saying those lines.) The book is divided into four sections, each finding Scarlett in new place: Lost in the Dark (Atlanta) High Stakes (Charleston) New Life (Savannah) The Tower (Ireland) Ripley paints a compelling picture of Ireland, its people and their struggles, with wonderful characters, rich dialog and emotional scenes. We mourn the lost history of the O'Hara family as Scarlett seeks to regain her family's land. And we cheer Scarlett as her incredible intelligence and courage rebuild, at least in part, what was lost. If you are used to the pace of a normal historical romance, this story may seem a bit meandering. (There are whole chapters where Scarlett and Rhett never encounter each other.) Still, I found it a very satisfying love story and it kept me reading late into the night (two nights in a row!). When the "black moment " came, it was the blackest I've ever experienced. But the ending is a sweet reward. The book is a treasure. I recommend it!

First of all I apologise in advance for the length of this review. I am from the South and I grew up less than 2 hours away from Atlanta Georgia, in my house there were always two books on our coffee table at all times, The Bible and Gone With The Wind. I've read Margaret Mitchell's classic so many times I know it cover to cover. I've known about this sequel for quite a few years now, but I never felt inclined to read it partly bc for a long time I wanted to leave Rhett Scarlett and their world where the creator Margaret left them. As I've gotten older, I've returned to Gone With the Wind periodically and i finally decided to give this book a try. I told myself if I wasn't into the story by the end of the first chapter I would put it down and in all honesty, I didn't expect to like it at all. I didn't think anyone else could continue such a legendary story other than the original writer. I was pleasantly surprised and glad to have been proved wrong Ms. Ripley does a fantastic job of curbing her own writing style to match Margaret's and she perfectly captures the spirit of Scarlett and of Rhett. It did not feel like a book written by someone else. It simply felt like a continuation of the story. I cried. I laughed. I bit my nail to the quick and I truly could not put it down. I personally got an immense amount of satisfaction in seeing these characters I hold so near and dear to my heart evolve and become deeper and more layered and I appreciate that she chose to pick up the story's timeline right where the original book left off, it helped close the gap between the two books and made you really feel as though one person had written both. I won't ruin the story with spoilers but I will say that the story takes Scarlett and Rhett to places physically and emotionally that you'd never expect and although the old south will always be a huge part of this story no matter who is writing it, Ms. Ripley also manages to take these characters you love so much to new heights and better places. It will never be the original and it isn't meant to be, it's meant to continue the story as if Margaret Mitchell was writing it herself and she accomplished that and so much more. This is a fantastic read, easily the best book I've read in years. I'm only sorry it took me so long to finally give it a chance. I find that my deep love for the world of Gone with the Wind is shared with tons of people and many people grew up with it on their coffee tables just as I did. If that's the case and you too don't believe this sequel will do it justice I'm here to tell you, it goes above and beyond expectations. If you've ever wished the story of Scarlett and Rhett had continued, please read this. It's absolutely wonderful. Happy Reading!

I've read other reviews on this site about the book... and I have to say that some are rather harsh. I feel that this book, although not as good as Margaret Mitchell's (there are not many that are as good anyway), was still very well done and true to the characters for the majority of the time. The circumstances Alexandra Ripley picked up writing after were difficult ones, to say the least. But, in my opinion, she dealt with the characters and the difficulty of the relationship with Rhett and Scarlett very realistically. I knew after reading Gone with the Wind that if there was any hope of reconciliation between Rhett and Scarlett that Scarlett would have to mature, in many areas of her personality. That is the path Alexandra Ripley pursued with this book and that is just exactly what needed to occur. Rhett needed to get out of the picture some and let her grow up. She was like a selfish child throughout Gone with the Wind. An independent, highly practical, and, at times, intelligent child, but still a child nonetheless. She was emotionally immature on so many levels... but I digress. "Scarlett" was a book of a different tone and feeling than Gone with the Wind. I liked the positive nature of it. At the end of Gone with the Wind, I thought to myself, "When will these characters get a break from the cruelty of life?" In Scarlett, the writer tried to allow Scarlett to experience the positive aspects of life that the war had hid her from. I thought this was a good move on the part of the writer and helped Scarlett to grow. The conversations between her and Rhett were well done. Some felt a little weird, or not exactly what I would think he would have said, but on the whole, very realistic and true to Rhett's personality and the way he was feeling after he left Scarlett at the end of Gone with the Wind. Overall, I think it is worth reading if you don't like how things ended with Gone with the Wind. I just wanted some kind of hope and positive ending. I felt like a great relationship was built up over so many pages in Gone with the Wind and then smashed at the end. I just couldn't handle it ... and maybe that's my issue, but I thought that there had to be a better way to end it and Scarlett fulfills that for me in a way that is satisfying and well done.

I absolutely loved this book! Even after finishing it a few weeks ago, I can’t help but keep thinking about the story. The characters were well written, Pace of the story was captivating and I would highly recommend this book if you have already read “Gone with the Wind”.

Didn’t know this book existed until we vacationed in Savanna and was asked if I had read it. Glad they did as I enjoyed it very much.

After having read, and enjoyed, "Gone With the Wind", but feeling that there was so much unsaid and so much unresolved, I was thrilled to find this book. I wasn't anticipating much, as it was written by an author other than Margaret Mitchell, and figured it would be "ok" but was curious enough to purchase it. I was wrong. It was amazing. I absolutely loved what the author did to expand the story, and to tie up loose ends, and to watch Scarlett as she matured and grew into her own woman. Her personality and character changed into someone much more likable, and less selfish. In "Gone with the Wind", I found her to be a spoiled little snot, and just kept waiting for her to grow up and find humility. Some reviewers didn't care for the changes and felt that it wasn't true to character, but I disagree. Don't we all grow and change as we age? Time and wisdom gained change a lot of us over time. I won't spoil it any further, but after reading this sequel, I actually like the character of Scarlett. A lot. Kudos to the author for having the courage to follow up a classic - in my opinion, she did a fantastic job. Absolutely loved it.

I have this is hard book form. Now I have it on my Kindle. It's easy ti read this way. I love this Story, feels so real. I really feel the characters. I can just hear the voices of Rhett and Scarlett!! How I love them!! I am glad how it ends!

I’m mostly hated it. But I did finish all 850 pages of it. It was a little too fantastical, a little too over the top, and many times I paused to wonder what Margaret Mitchell would think. I don’t think it’s the sequel I would have wanted, but it was an okay read.

Passt genau zum ersten teil, fesselnd von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite. Ich bin froh dass es dieses Buch gibt.

あの「風と共に去りぬ」の続編を書くことは誰にも出来ないかもしれないし、だからこそ原作者のマーガレット・ミッチェルは「既に物語りは完結している」として二度と筆をとらなかったのでしょう。 この続編を書いたリプリーは良く頑張っていると思います。原作のエピソードを踏まえた展開は原作のファンにとってはありがたいところですし、まるで原作で続編のために伏線がはってあったように感じられる箇所もありました。 森瑤子の翻訳版を最初に読んでから洋書を読んだのですが、違いにびっくり！です。翻訳版、というよりは森瑤子の「創作」と言えると思います。もっともこの点については本人も翻訳する際の葛藤を認め、純粋な「翻訳」ではないことを述べてはいますが。細かいエピソードが翻訳では全く別のものに置き換わっていたりするので、「もう一つの続編」を読むつもりで翻訳と読み比べてはいかがでしょうか。 因みに続編のテレビ映画も見ましたが、星は一つもあげられない内容だったと思います（ストーリーも途中から全く別のものになっていましたし・・・一体いくつの「続編」ができてしまうのでしょう？）

Cannot wait to purchase a hardcover or paperback as well. Amazing book, I bought the kindle version first. If you loved Gone With The Wind you will adore this sequel!

Buena calidad de papel, agradable al tacto, bien imprimido.

J'ai adoré cette suite d"Autant en emporte le vent". Beau voyage dans l'Irlande de la fin du XIXe et l'occasion de voir notre héroïne Scarlett mûrir et aimer vraiment, tout en conservant sa personnalité de battante...