EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion

Here's the thread for our Feb 2021 Gone with the Wind Buddy Read - welcome all :)

Hi everyone! Is anyone up for this?

Yep I'm still planning on reading this month :)

It’s been on my list for a while - I’d like to join a buddy read this month.

I'm in as well. Do we have a schedule?

I'm in too!

Laura's Schedule formatted version:

1st Feb Chp 1-2
2nd Feb Chp 3-4
3rd Feb Chp 5-6
4th Feb Chp 7-9
5th Feb Chp 10-11
6th Feb Chp 12-13
7th Feb Chp 14-15
8th Feb Chp 16-18
9th Feb Chp 19-20
10th Feb Chp 21-22
11th Feb Chp 23-24
12th Feb Chp 25-27
13th Feb Chp 28-29
14th Feb Chp 30-31
15th Feb Chp 32-33
16th Feb Chp 34-36
17th Feb Chp 37-38
18th Feb Chp 39-40
19th Feb Chp 41-42
20th Feb Chp 43-45
21th Feb Chp 46-47
22th Feb Chp 48-49
23th Feb Chp 50-51
24th Feb Chp 52-54
25th Feb Chp 55-56
26th Feb Chp 57-58
27th Feb Chp 59-60
28th Feb Chp 61-63

Excellent - welcome all :)
I made a rough schedule of about 2-3 chapters a day.
Here is a terribly formatted version - so on each date you should read up to and including that chapter number - hope that makes sense?!

Ch
1 Feb 2
2 Feb 4
3 Feb 6
4 Feb 9
5 Feb 11
6 Feb 13
7 Feb 15
8 Feb 18
9 Feb 20
10 Feb 22
11 Feb 24
12 Feb 27
13 Feb 29
14 Feb 31
15 Feb 33
16 Feb 36
17 Feb 38
18 Feb 40
19 Feb 42
20 Feb 45
21 Feb 47
22 Feb 49
23 Feb 51
24 Feb 54
25 Feb 56
26 Feb 58
27 Feb 60
28 Feb 63

Thank you, Laura! I'll try and put it down like you usually do.

I will start on the 3rd as it is almost the 2nd now here for me in India. ill try and catch up if I can.

Thank you, Laura. I will probably start reading later this week but catch up quickly.

I just read Ch 1 & 2 tonight and I'm drawn in. It's a good intro to Scarlett's character, her family and the land and surrounding society.

I made a spreadsheet with Laura's schedule like in the Moby Dick buddy read: Spreadsheet

So far I've read the first two characters and I've noticed a couple of small details that might be a bit of foreshadowing if I remember the movie correctly.

Thanks Samuel!
I've never seen the movie, although I have some awareness of it. Finished ch 4 tonight and enjoyed learning more about Ellen and Gerald.

Chapters 5 -6

(view spoiler)[
So these were some dramatic chapters! I had such a sense of doom about Scarlett's plan to confess her feelings to Ashley!
It was interesting to meet Rhett for the first time too.
I'm interested in Scarlett's character - she's not exactly likeable but yet I find myself rooting for her. It seems she's a product of her environment to a certain extent. There's such value put on looks and certain types of behaviour (whether genuine or not) that it's almost as if she can't help it. There certainly seems to be a sense of competition, rather than camaraderie, between the young, unmarried women.
I thought her discussion with Mammy about how young girls should behave as opposed to wives, was quite interesting. It seems that Scarlett's true nature is to be honest and behave as she likes, but she's prevented from doing so by the restraints of polite society.
Rhett has also caught my interest - I feel like almost a "Taming of the Shrew" type scenario is going to unfold between these two..but I'm not sure.
Anyway I'm definitely finding myself drawn in.
As well as engaging characters I'm finding the descriptions of the land and of Tara very emotive. The 'patriotic' feelings of the people of Georgia come across very well too.
(hide spoiler)]
So far I'm loving it!

I just finished part 2. Am I the only one who dislikes Scarlett?? I'll add more thoughts once I have time.

I find it interesting that she's utterly unlikable. I don't like her either but I almost admire her for not becoming a simpering fool. I'm interested in her.

Darn! I wasn't getting notifications and I thought nobody was reading this book....😩 I'm going to try and catch up.

@Samuel, I'm 90% into Anna Karenina but got held up bec my 2 kitties ended up staying at the vets for a few days 1 after the other. So I'm going to have to juggle and stay up the next few nights. Then I'll read your last post after.

Thank you @Laura and @Samuel for the schedule. BTW, my son surprised me with a hardcover Moby-Dick or, the Whale for my birthday!

Hello again, Trisha and Shaina! 🤗 How were your holidays?

Frances wrote: "Darn! I wasn't getting notifications and I thought nobody was reading this book....😩 I'm going to try and catch up.

@Samuel, I'm 90% into Anna Karenina but got held up bec my 2 ki..."

I’m pleased you’re back here, Frances. Don’t worry, I got delayed too so haven’t started reading yet - my original plan was to catch up by today! Perhaps we’ll catch up at the same time.

I am reading but not sure if I am on a list, if there is one.

Hello Frances! Hope the kitties are well now. Pls do share a pic of them when you can. I love cats! Thank you for reminding me that you'll had a buddy read for AK. I just bought the ebook and plan to start it soon. I will use that thread to read all comments and add my own if any.

I'm happy to hear Trisha, Frances and Leona are joining us. So far Laura has given me some food for thought. I'm eager to hear what all of you have to say about the book.

Leona, welcome to the buddy read.

@Laura, I'm more interested in Rhett and Ashely and Mel and I'm quite indifferent to Scarlet.

I get what you say about her not becoming a simpering fool but I also find her to be so self absorbed and while she thinks differently from others she isn't even as brave as Mel.

I also get what Rhett sees in her but I'm lost as to why Ashley would like her!! I find her so foolish. I laughed out loud at her ignorance at so many times.

Hello Frances - glad you found us again and can join in.
Welcome Leona :)

I've fallen a day behind and need to catch up a bit too.
Will post more thoughts on here as I go.
I agree about Mel though Shaina - I did think that she might break through Scarlett's selfish shell, but no.
I'll read on and see what I think :)

I finished Chapter 13 yesterday and will catch up today.

(view spoiler)[

I really like Melanie - I admire how much integrity she has and how she finds the power to speak out about what she believes.
She allows Rhett to continue to visit them even when he's a pariah again and she also stands up for what Ashley writes about the war.
She's very honest and even cynical Rhett can see this.
I'm surprised Scarlett hasn't softened to her yet - perhaps she never will.

In many ways Scarlett is so naive - she has such a high opinion of herself and how she's different to everyone that she can't even see how Rhett is manipulating her.
Her fascination with Ashley is also incomprehensible - I think it's because he's the only man who really refused her. She doesn't understand the connection he and Melanie have and this is vividly evident when she reads his letters to Melanie - she just doesn't get him!

When she finds the handkerchief from the prostitute this really highlights how clueless she is. Despite having been married and had a child she really knows very little of the real world.

I'm also a little confused about Rhett's fascination with her. He obviously appreciates that she's beautiful, but he seems to regard her hypocrisy with the same cynicism that he does everyone else's. Is he trying to ruin her?

I'm interested how this will play out...
(hide spoiler)]

Laura, I completely agree with you on all the points you mentioned above.

I think Scarlett is fascinated by Ashley because she cannot undertand him or as she says he is a mystery to her. The Twins like Scarlett for the same reason ( they find her very mysterious ).

As for Rhett, I wondered till I read chapter 21-22 when Rhett mentions why he likes her. So that question will be answered.

I've just finished part II

(view spoiler)[I agree that Scarlett is pretty naive and has a childish selfishness. Despite that I like that she's the main character. I think the book wouldn't be as interesting if we were reading it, for example, from Melanie's POV.

Talking about Melanie, it adds insult to Scarlett's injury that Ashley's wife has to be such an angel. She would have an easier time hating Melly if she wasn't so good.

I get why Scarlett is so obsessed with Ashley but I don't get what Rhett and Ashley see on her. I get she's lively but I'm not seeing more attractive than that. Until the last chapters of Part II I thought Ashley simply pitied Scarlett but after the goodbye it seems like he has some bottled up feelings.

Hopefully the chapters Shaina refers to will settle this, at least regarding Rhett (hide spoiler)]

Shaina - you're ahead of us I think - I can't wait to get to Ch 21 - 22 now :)

I caught up to Chapter 18 yesterday
(view spoiler)[
So I'm still a bit confused as to whether Ashley has real romantic feelings for Scarlett or whether she's totally delusional. It seemed as if he did when he said goodbye after furlough but he does seem to genuinely love Melanie too - confusing!

Scarlett is so consistently selfish it's actually impressive! I can't believe she's so self-centred as to be barely touched by the horrors of the war going on around her. The only time she seemed affected was when she read of the deaths of the Tarleton boys and other former beaux of hers - but again it's always with reference back to herself.

I have a bad feeling about Melanie's pregnancy but I hope I'm wrong! I'm more and more impressed by her as time goes on.

The descriptions of the depravations of war are very evocative. I found it really interesting, having read War & Peace last year, to read about General Johnston and his carefully managed retreats. He reminded me of Kutuzov in W&P. The soldiers who fight with him appreciate his strategies but the civilians don't understand.

I am really looking forward to watching the move and seeing how all this is portrayed.
(hide spoiler)]
So Chapters 19 and 20 tonight!
Thanks everyone - I'm really enjoying these discussions!

Samuel, I agree with your adding insult to injury..hahahah. She hates Melanie despite her being so good. I think she would have liked her better if she wasn't so good. I too wonder what Ashley sees in her.

Laura, I am ahead and trying to wait for you'll to catch up (I need someone to discuss the happenings). I laughed quite a bit reading your " so consistently selfish" bit. I agree with her being self centered. All the adjectives that went through my mind when she was introduced 'selfish, self centered, shallow, naive, conceited' . The thought that crossed my mind when she thought about the Tarleton twins was it never occurred to her that her youngest sister would be deeply hurt. I hated how she puts one sister against another by saying " because she is going to be prettier than you " in the carriage on the way to Ashley's house.

Hey Shaina - yeah she doesn't seem to have any real love for her sisters - just sees them as competition maybe?

I read up to Chapter 20 last night

(view spoiler)[
So the war is not going well. I do find the portrayal of people's attitude to the war quite interesting. I felt sad when the Home Guard were called up and poor Mr Wilkes!
I suppose we get an explanation from Rhett as to why he likes Scarlett but it doesn't seem very flattering. She's selfish like him. I'm not sure that's a good basis for a relationship - although I suppose they're being honest with each other.
it is interesting to note the contrast between showing your honest feeling and the Southern mannerly behaviour that's expected. I'm sure being honest is for the best - it's just that Rhett and Scarlett are honestly not very nice people!

Her reaction to his proposal of her being his Mistress was interesting. She wants people to love her but not necessarily have to love them back!

It's interesting that everyone sees Scarlett as stronger and more able to withstand things. Uncle Henry gets her to tell Melanie about Mr Wilkes death, she's expected to look after Melanie for Ashley as she's the stronger character, Melanie wants her to care for her baby if anything happens.

It seems people see her fiery spirit as strength of character but I'm not sure that's true. She doesn't want to appear "weak" but I wonder at how she and society define weak?

I do feel sorry for her that she's worries about her mother - and to some degree - her sisters having typhoid. I felt so sad for poor Gerald when I read that.

Anyway I just don't think Melanie is going to survive having the baby!!
(hide spoiler)]

We'll see what today's chapters bring?!

Today I need to read chapters 19-22.
Scarlett is selfish and Melanie is sweet.
I have seen the movie many times and wonder why Wade was left out.

Laura, I agree she sees every white woman as competition, her sisters included ( only Ellen is not on that list ). She even ensures others beaus are in love with her ( just for sport ). I can't believe her mother doesn't know her true nature ( considering Ellen is very smart )

As for society seeing woman as weak ( the definition of a lady), I think as long as they faint and are scandalized at everything they are seen as weak and decent ( it is disturbing to know women carry smelling salts around ). The men also shield them from everything real/ harsh realities or what they consider tough (mollycoddled from birth).

I felt it was an eye opener for everyone to be called to join the war. Till then they didn't know what they were talking about. They seem to think of war a glorious endeavor. I only felt bad for Mr. Wilkes and a few others ( not Gerald, I know I sound harsh but I think him selfish as well ).

As for Rhett and Scarlett, I think only Rhett is being honest. Scarlett is still in denial and refuses to be honest. It is good that Rhett sees through her.

Leona wrote: "Today I need to read chapters 19-22.
Scarlett is selfish and Melanie is sweet.
I have seen the movie many times and wonder why Wade was left out."

Hello Leona,

I've never seen the movie but intend to watch it once I finish the book.
It's interested Wade isn't in the movie - I forget about him sometimes too as Scarlett can hardly be bothered with him in the book. I'm interested how he will grow up and what will happen to him in the book.

Shaina wrote: "Laura, I agree she sees every white woman as competition, her sisters included ( only Ellen is not on that list ). She even ensures others beaus are in love with her ( just for sport ). I can't bel..."

Yeah the definition of a lady is all about appearances.
Also interesting that it seems unacceptable for men to acknowledge that women are pregnant. It'l like a taboo subject and Melanie has to hide her bump..

General Johnston's strategy also reminded me of Kutuzov!

I think neither Rhett and Scarlett are good relationship material (neither among themselves nor with others) but at least they are being frank, at least Rhett. Scarlett does speak her mind but I doubt even she knows what she wants.

People see her a strong but she has yet to prove it. She has the potential to be strong, yet selfish. She resembles her father a lot and that makes for a good survivor.

Samuel, I too thought she is a lot like Gerald. I didn't think of her as being good survivor but your absolutely right she makes for a good survivor and so is Rhett.

I have almost caught up with the schedule now. I haven’t read the book before or seen the film, so wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy it. It’s far better than I had hoped, a fascinating story & I’m learning a lot about American history.

Laura, you must be too young to remember when pregnancy wasn’t mentioned in polite company! Even for a lot of the 20th century, pregnant women were expected to wear discreet clothes that hid their shape, & they stopped working or going out long before the baby was due.

Times and words have changed. I am 82 and yesterday I told my daughter that grass was something we walked on when I was a kid.
Remember how strong the women are in this book to take care of the wounded and dying.
The words do not bother me as much as the violence of war, no matter who is right and who is wrong.
Wasn't there a reason Grerald did not go to war and did he not try?
One of my favoite lines in the book and the movie is when Scarlett says she forgot to lock the front door. Our minds sometimes are not thinking.

Leona wrote: "Times and words have changed. I am 82 and yesterday I told my daughter that grass was something we walked on when I was a kid.
Remember how strong the women are in this book to take care of the wou..."

I love your comment about grass, Leona! You are right about the women being strong to care for the wounded men - I was reading part of that yesterday & found it shocking, especially as they knew many of the men & their families.

Hello all - so I caught up with the schedule and finished chapter 31 yesterday. Wow - what a lot is happening!

Thought so far...
(view spoiler)[
So lots has happened in the last few chapters - Atlanta falls - Rhett propositions Scarlett - Melanie has her baby - they flee to Tara - Ellen's dead and Gerald's addled - Scarlett kills a soldier - Ashley's back - Will Benteen appears.......

So here are a jumble of my thoughts in no particular order!
When Rhett helps Scarlett flee and then abandons her - has she really unearthed some patriotic southern feeling in him? I found this a bit strange.
Her return to Tara was so sad! I just knew that someone would have died and suspected it would be Ellen. It's also tragic to see how Gerald has been affected.
Scarlett stepping up to run the place is not entirely unexpected. I'm surprised at the unwillingness of others to muck in when they see her doing it - for once she's leading by example!
Mammy and Pork are very strict about the heirarchy of their duties.
It's so sad to hear about the destruction caused by the war.

When she goes visiting for the first time and the Old Grandmother gives her a talking to about experience the worst that can happen and shouldering the burden but keeping yourself open to love - I think Scarlett missed the point but I love the Old Miss for her hardiness.

Finally Scarlett is beginning to see Melanie's worth - when Melly helps her after she killed the soldier and when they fight the fire together - Scarlett begins to have a reluctant respect for her.

When Ashley comes back I felt like things might fall apart.
her feelings for Ashley are so frustrating! I feel like if they were able to be together she'd end up despising him. I don't think she could respect him somehow, she's stronger than him in many ways.
The chapter where he admitted he loved her and they kissed was so annoying. Poor Melanie - she deserves better from both of them! I was furious. Ashley is being unfair on both Scarlett and Melanie. He knows how Scarlett feels and he should try and cut her off with no hope. Anyway it seemed like at the end of that she realised nothing could ever happen between them.

Other characters I'm concerned about - Carreen - she seems to be really struggling.
Suellen - really seems a bit selfish and almost like a younger Scarlett....
Melanie - she's still ill. What's wrong with her?
Wade - he seems traumatised by the attack on Atlanta and Scarlett doesn't really engage with him.
Will Benteen - I'm just not sure about him yet. He seems to have insidiously made himself part of the family and he knows about Scarlett killing the soldier. I don't know whether to trust him?

The threat of losing Tara due to raised taxes was intriguing - who wants to buy it?
Also Rhett is mentioned as having money - hmm - where will this lead?
(hide spoiler)]

So I am absolutely LOVING this book. Much more than I thought I would. I love both Scarlett and Melanie and the story is sweeping me along. The images are vivid and I can picture everything in my mind (with a little influence from film images -although I've still to see the film)
Sorry for the unstructured brain dump!

Also I was telling my friend that I was reading it.
Her name is Melanie and we sometimes call her Melly.
I had no idea but she's actually named after Melanie!
Apparently her dad is a HUGE Gone With the Wind fan - movie and book - and that's why they named her so.
This made me smile!

Laura wrote: "Also I was telling my friend that I was reading it.
Her name is Melanie and we sometimes call her Melly.
I had no idea but she's actually named after Melanie!
Apparently her dad is a HUGE Gone Wit..."

That is a fun tidbit.

I removed some comment as it dawned on me (sorry, it took so long) that many have not seen the movie.


I need to read three chapters today. I got involed in a new crochet pattern and only read one chapter.

I've just finished Part III as well.

(view spoiler)[
This part is critical to Scarlett's development as she has to go from being a spoiled brat from a rich family to being the head of the O'Haras in times of hunger and necessity. In some sense she goes from being a child to an adult.
Melanie also showed a lot of strength in this part and it indeed looks like Scarlett was starting to warm up to her but now that Ashley is back I think any prospect Melly and Scarlett's relationship improvement is ruined.
Will Benteen character wasn't in the movie. I agree with you Laura, that he might bring trouble.
(hide spoiler)]

Samuel wrote: "I've just finished Part III as well.


This part is critical to Scarlett's development as she has to go from being a spoiled brat from a rich family to being the head of the O'Haras in times of hun..."

Yes - it's fascinating how Scarlett has had to change.
I agree that Ashley's return will be a barrier to further improvement in Scarlett and Melanie's relationship.

I'm continuously struck by how other people perceive Scarlett as being strong. When she talks with Ashley, he says she's stronger than him and then is surprised when she breaks down.

I also enjoy the recognition of her love for Tara and how she appreciates what Gerald said early on about the land being worth fighting for. Coming from the Highlands of Scotland where many people were forcibly cleared of the land throughout the 1700s and 1800s - this really strikes a chord with me.

Perhaps her real love is Tara?

Laura wrote: "Hello all - so I caught up with the schedule and finished chapter 31 yesterday. Wow - what a lot is happening!
..."

I’m loving this book too! I started reading with little idea what to expect & also rather daunted by the length of the book. But once I got started properly I caught up & am now a bit ahead of schedule as I can’t put the book down!

Ok, I think there's something wrong with my Goodreads. I haven't gotten any notifications from this Buddy Read. 😩 I've written to the support team.

One cat still sick so I've got my hands full. The one who's recovered is jealous and demands TLC. Zero reading time. I'll catch you guys next month with The Master and Margarita?

I finished reading this today. I thought it was wonderful. At some time I will have to read this again & hopefully learn more from it. I’m so glad this book was chosen as a buddy read.

Frances - that's a shame that you've not been getting the notifications! Sorry you're cat is unwell - poor thing.
Also a shame you can't carry on with the book but we'll definitely cross paths again.

Trisha - well done on finishing! I think I'd have flown ahead too but I'm committed to a few buddy reads so am struggling to keep up. I'll definitely catch up at the weekend - this is my favourite of the books I'm reading at the moment by miles!

Think I'm at about Chapter 33

(view spoiler)[
So Scarlett has gone to Atlanta! I find the contrast of how her "ladylike" coquettish behaviour was deemed proper and acceptable - when she's basically exploiting men's feelings for her - however the idea of "officially" being a mistress is so distasteful. The fact that her motivations for marrying Rhett are so mercenary doesn't seem to register - marriage would give it a sheen of respectability, whereas, as his mistress she'd have nowhere to hide.
I do admire how far she's willing to go for Tara.
I also find the idea of the others at Tara having their head stuck in the sand quite interesting. Are Melanie and Scarlett's sisters just waiting for everything to go back to "normal", without realising what a seismic shift has taken place in their society?
Scarlett is so naive in some ways, yet horribly aware in others.
As much as I don't like her - she's a fascinating character!

Also Rhett's in prison - how's this all going to work out?
Ahh - the suspense!
(hide spoiler)]

Spoilers for part IV so beware before reading this

(view spoiler)[A lot went on in Atlanta. Scarlett got married and lost a husband once again, and at the very end she finally married Rhett.

We got to see a lot of her, who turned out to be a pretty efficient but ruthless businesswoman and we also got to learn more about her motivations.

One thing that it's puzzling me a bit is that while Scarlett usually fights to get her way sometimes she comes across someone she cant push over, for example Gallagher, the overseer that bullies the convicts or Rhett himself. This marriage is not going to be like the other two.

I wonder if she actually feels remorse. I don't know if I completely buy Rhett's explanation towards the end, I think she legit feels guilty not being like her mother although its true that she would have done the same again and again.

I don't know how Rhett is so foolish when it comes to Scarlett when he usually shows common sense. I don't know what he expects out of this marriage but surely he should know that it's not going to be easy.

One detail that I didn't notice in the movie (I don't remember if it was even mentioned) is that it seems like Rhett and Belle have a boy in New Orleans? I wonder if he will come into the picture now that Scarlett and Rhett are honeymooning there.
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I am on Chapter 58 and will probably finish today.

I'm still reading - hope to finish by the weekend.