Starts off well . . .
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. . . but sadly dawdles towards the middle.
I absolutely love 'Gone With The Wind' and was quite intrigued when I discovered that a sequel had been written and was very happy and satisfied that 'Scarlett' began the morning after Rhett leaves.
The story focuses mainly from Scarlett's point of view like 'Gone With The Wind' and begins with her utter determination to win Rhett back, which eventually leads her to Charleston to meet Rhett's mother and various other family members and friends. This portion of the story, I really enjoyed as it bought a refreshing angle to the old story and the reader gets to enjoy some great interaction between Rhett and Scarlett, especially after the bit in the cave during the storm.
From here, Scarlett travels to Savannah to see her Grandfather Robillard and meets various members of her Father's huge Irish immigrant family. This was about the point that this story (for me) became more standardized romance novel, than timeless love story.
Not wanting to give away any more of the plot, I will move onto my criticism's.
For a start, there are far too many new characters - especially the Irish ones, which sadly tend to blend together even though they are supposed to be exciting and original. Also, many of the new characters seemed to either be stereotyped and un-original or carbon copies of old characters from 'Gone With The Wind' (ex; Scarlett's mother and Rhett's mother are like the same person).
Secondly, some of the situations that occur really do border on trashy romance or just seem so trivial. But the most dissapointing and wholly unbelievable plotline is Scarlett's involvement with the beginnings of the IRA and her relationship with 'Cat' which at times seems like it's straight out of a fanfic.
Lastly, from the very beginning you can tell that Scarlett is not Scarlett and Rhett is not Rhett. They seem to lose their charm and originality and many of their personality traits which any 'Gone With The Wind' fan will notice straight off and that is a real shame.
I'm not saying this a terrible book, because it's not. At times I still found myself rooting for my favourite literary characters and really liked some of the plot twists.
As a romance novel, this does the trick. As a sequel I'm not so convinced.
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catt!
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i loved this book there are certain places which are iffy! but i love it the way scarlett learns about who she is without changing the scarlett most people love but she gets to no her own heart which i loved i love her relationship with her daughter catt! and yer rhett and her end up together in the end basically she grows up! but yer some parts are iffy!-but theres still that scarlett strength and a force! i liked it somnething i cant picture her saying but love it!-its worth reading
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Sequal GWTW
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Absolutley loved it! A bit iffy in places but on the whole a job well done. AR has created a plausible ending to the GWTW ... After all tommorrow is another day and what a day what an ending fabulous. I also bought the film and was vastly disappointed but i did see a few years ago a made for tv version that was ace if anyone knows how to get hold of this it was on sky one thats all i know and obviously it was called 'Scarlett@
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Worth Reading
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First I have to admit that I let this book sit on a shelf for over a year before deciding to read it. Margaret Mitchell did not want the story continued, and I had enough of Scarlett. Well, I read it. It is not writte in the same style of Ms. Mitchell's. And Ripley moves us out of Tara right away. Both good move on his part.
The book is well written and I actually enojyed reading it now that I am finsihed. It starts with a selfish self-centered middle aged child, Scarlett. We follow Scarlett on her quest to win back Rhett. She left Tara for Atlanta, and follows Rhett to Charleston. Where we see that he will not allow her to hurt him again. But we see her as a determined person, willing to do what ever it takes to reach her goal. She then runs to Savanah, using the pretense of her grandfather's birthday for going.
The story picks up when she leaves it all behind too find her roots in Ireland. In Ireland Scarlett realizes that it was her actions that caused her sorrow. And we see her mature and grow into a woman.
The author did a good job researching what Charleston and Savanah were like in the 19th Centuary. And I found those parts interesting. As I did reading of life in Ireland. But other then that, it is an entertaining read. Ripley inroduces some fine new characters. But the sequel to Gone With the Wind, I can not see any of this happening.
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*****
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Although this book contained a vast amount of unneccessary information I found it entertaining and adequate as a follow-up to the legendary Gone with the Wind masterpiece. Like many readers I was anxious to satisfy my curiosity regarding rhett and scarletts relationship. Many reviews have critiqued the novel for having little focus on rhett but I think it is a very well constructed novel in bringin out the new maturity Scarlett finds in her adult self. The ending is so in keeping with the style and quality of Margaret Mitchells writing that the plot is more than believable and highy satisfying for Gone with the wind fans.
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