So I just finished Gone with the Wind, having never read it before nor ever seen the movie. Not only did I sob during the last ten pages of the book, but I have been depressed all evening since finishing it.
I grew up reading books obsessively and have often cried before at a sad ending, but my reaction this time has been unlike any I've had before. Normally I feel sad, or even cry if the event is tragic enough to merit tears (e.g. Dumbledore's death in book 6), but then the emotions related to the book end as soon as I'm done reading. But I've been feeling depressed all evening after finishing Gone with the Wind. I even watched and episode of Sex and the City to feel better and ended up crying various times during the show. For some reason, this book is affecting me personally.
Though I had expected, and probably hoped for, a happy ending because most books have them, I hated Scarlett more and more as the book went on so I wouldn't think I would be so upset by her ultimate defeat. But even as I hated her, I became more consumed by the book and it's story the longer I read and for the past week I have been reading during all of my free time. So I guess part of my reaction can be explained by how involved I felt with the characters and their lives. But I also think I may have come to identify with Scarlett a little bit, as much as I dislike her and wonder why Rhett ever liked her. Unconsciously I assumed that things would somehow work out in the end, and that she and Rhett would finally be open with each other and she would admit her love for him. The ending would not have been so bad if it had been dramatic and violent, but instead it was just utterly defeating. The words "I don't give a damn, Scarlett" hurt far more than anger from him would have. I still can't believe the book actually ended that way, not that I blame Rhett since I never thought he should have liked her to begin with.
Ok, enough rambling. I guess I'm just wondering whether my strong reaction is simply a credit to Ms. Mitchell's talent, or whether I identify more with Scarlett than I'd like to think. I hear there's a sequel, but I don't think I have the energy to continue, and since it's by a different author I don't think I would see it as the same story anyways. So, in any case, send me a joke or funny story if you want to cheer me up, though I think a good night's sleep will do the trick for "tomorrow is another day."
Sorry, that was terrible.
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