Book Annotations - Historical Fiction

Gone with the Wind

By Margaret Mitchell

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: June 10, 1936

Number of Pages: 1,037

Geographical Setting: Clayton County, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia

Time Period: United States Civil War and Reconstruction

Plot Summary: Scarlett O’Hara, a young Georgian debutante, resides on a plantation known as Tara in the American South just prior to the beginning of the Civil War. Scarlett is in love with Ashley Watkins, who is betrothed to another woman. When Scarlett declares her love for him she is rejected in front of the debonaire bachelor Rhett Butler. The Civil War starts and all of the men are called to fight, including the new husband she has just married. He dies of pneumonia shortly after the start of the war and Scarlett is left to mourn and raise their child alone. Scarlett moves to Atlanta and must face the burden of living in poverty after the burning of the South and the destruction of her childhood home, Tara. After the death of her second husband, Scarlett reunites with Rhett Butler and the two lead a posh life in Atlanta with a new child, until tragedy strikes. Scarlett and Rhett must deal with immense grief and their own marriage during the rebuilding of the South.

Subject Headings:

O’Hara, Scarlett (Fictitious Character) -- Fiction; Butler, Rhett (Fictitious Character) -- Fiction; Georgia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865, -- Fiction; Women -- Georgia -- Fiction

Appeal: This coming of age tale set in the American South during the Civil War period will make readers curious to find out how Scarlett O’Hara fares in this character driven, dramatic, and engaging work of historical fiction.

Read-alikes:

Belle Cora by Phillip Margulies - A richly detailed story of love, loss, and trying to obtain what you desire in historical New York City.

Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCraig - A character driven story about the life of Rhett Butler and the people who influenced him.

White Doves at Morning by James Lee Burke - This lyrical Civil War story tells the tale of Willie Burke and his friends as they leave home to fight for the Confederate Cause.