Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

For those who missed the discussion of this, you missed out.  It was fun.

Michelle led with some interesting discussion questions.  One of which would be lots of fun to follow up with on here.  If you were casting a remake, who would you cast?

I've only come up with a few so far but I'll share them at the end.

Growing up this was one of my mother's favorite books.  I grew up watching this movie.  I haven't read the whole thing but so far it's VERY interesting.  You do get more depth to ALL the characters, even seemingly minor ones like the Tarleton Twins, plus lots of others who didn't make it into the movie by name.  It seems that everyone is a bit darker or weaker than they appeared.  As a child I never understood Belle's role in things and even when I did realize what she was I wanted to believe that her role in Rhett's life became more limited once he was married.  Something I gather was not so much the case.  And Melanie being capable of anger was news to me.  And that Ashley really was just as cowardly as he'd always claimed.  I think Ashley is the one who diminished the most on further inspection.  Scarlett was just stupid to think she loved him, but you have to cut her some slack because of the way she was raised.  Ashley has no such excuse that I could see.  Humph.

I have always loved the detail that when Melanie is in labor and Scarlett goes to look for Doctor Meade she puts her hat on upside down--see the first panel in the depot scenes below and the photo to the right.  It just shows her desperation and how times and Scarlett have changed.  Can you imagine the Scarlett at the beginning of the story going out in public without looking her BEST, let alone with her hat upside down!?


Somehow it seems that every man has their favorite war. For my husband it was the Revolutionary War.  For his dad, it's World War II.  For my dad, it was the Civil War.  And I trust him when he says that Margaret Mitchell did a great job with the historical aspect of things.  Michelle mentioned that she had double checked a few facts as well and agreed.  (My son, reading over my shoulder, says he thinks his is World War II).
I grew up on the Southern border of "the North" and there is a lot of Southern influence there in food and culture, however we were not defeated and you can feel the difference even today.  The South, as a whole, I don't think has even forgotten or forgiven.  And while I haven't reached this part of the book, it was discussed ( and you see some of it in the movie) how wretched everything was for the South and how the North came in and made it worse so you can sort of understand it.

In rummaging through websites I came across this memoir written by the actress who plays Bonnie about her time working on Gone with the Wind:

Also, if anyone is interested, there's a movie starring Clark Gable that also deals with the issue of slavery.  Band of Angels, which you can watch on Amazon for cheap.   It also stars Sidney Poitier, but he didn't make it onto the poster.  Homes like the O'Hara's and the Wilkes' where slaves were treated well and in some cases as good or better than family (look at the way Scarlett treats Pork and Mammy over Suellen) made it seem like maybe it wasn't the worst thing in the world and this movie deals with that.  That it's actually worse because it lulls you into thinking that it is ok, when of course it's not.

One last thing.  Tara.  Scarlett is awful in so many ways.  But Tara is one of her redeeming qualities.  And it is where she gets her strength.  And I think these days people move and travel so much that they are deprived of true roots to draw strength from. I think some people have adapted and draw strength either from other things or from their home in other ways.

Now just because I had so much fun looking through these photos and can't wait until I can find 4 hours to watch  the movie again, here are some glimpses into the world of Gone with the Wind.

Don't forget to post you think could play these characters.

  

  

 

 Now just a moment to say that I think Leslie Howard does a great job as Ashley.  And I think his perfomance is maybe part of what makes Ashley more likable in the movie.  If you'd like to see him in a role where is is both WAY more noble, but does a great job acting the fop as well, he is marvelous in, The Scarlet Pimpernel.

     One of my picks is James McAvoy as Ashley.  

I'd forgotten and haven't seen it but he was in a Civil War era movie, the Conspirator.  So here's a photo to help you picture him in that time.

If you give up the idea of Mammy as rotund I could see Alfre Woodard in that role.  She's got an air of pride and the ability to fuss.  Any woman to can tell off Captain Picard has some nerve. 

 I don't get how this picture has come to be so iconic since it's not in the movie, but I wanted to include it.  We had a gone with the wind puzzle of which this image was a part.  

And I know what you're all wondering, "What's any of this have to do with Twilight?"  Well, I'll repeat what I said when we met for book group.  There is that moment at the Bazaar when Rhett takes a moment to really look at Melanie.  It says it's almost as if he could read her mind and of course I thought of Edward.  Rhett does seem to sort of have that gift of knowing what people are really thinking.  Of course, the real take away from this is that in that moment Rhett sees Melanie for the first time and she seems to be the only person in that whole book that he has any respect for because she is genuine.  

Now, just for sillies I'll include this ridiculous photo I found.

Ok.  Now seriously.  Post some comments about the book or who you would cast in a remake.

The Cross and the Switchblade by Pastor David Wilkerson

In 1962 Pastor David Wilkerson, along with John and Elizabeth Sherrill published The Cross and the Switchblade, detailing the first 5 years of Pastor Wilkerson's work with troubled youth in New York City.  After seeing a cover photo on Life Magazine of teenage boys on trial for murder, David feels a magnetic pull to help them.  Putting his "fleece before the Lord", he is given clear indications that he is needed in NYC.  What he thought would be a one time trip, ended up changing his life and his family's lives forever.  Ultimately it resulted in a Teen Challenge center in New York City, serving youth in the most dire spiritual and temporal circumstances.

While David never spoke to the boys he felt called to help, he found hundreds of other boys and girls that he could.  This book was about faith in action.  It reminds us what power for good there is in all of us when we heed the counsel of the Lord.  It inspires us to look and even ask for miracles and to put our full faith and confidence in God.  It encourages us to think about our own priorities and how we help others.  The book reminded us that with God, all things are possible, including recovery from serious drug addictions.  Additionally, it was a great example of how different faiths can come together and work towards a common goal.

After the book was published, the story lived on.  In 1970 there was a film version of the book starring Pat Boone and Erik Estrada.

In 1968 Jamie Buckingham published Run, Baby, Run detailing his side of the story.  His life in the gang, meeting Pastor Dave and becoming an Evangelical Christian.

In 1972 there was a Comic Book released.

After reading this book, I really wanted to know, Where are they now?  Pastor Wilkerson turned over the Teen Challenge centers to the Assemblies of God.  They have locations all over the United States and have 12 month residential centers for those with serious drug addictions.  Their "tagline" is "Freedom through Discipleship".  That phrase can be used for all sorts of good purposes.

David Wilkerson died on April 27, 2011 in a head-on collision with a tractor trailer.  Pastor Wilkerson had crossed the lanes into oncoming traffic.  His wife Gwen was injured but survived.  She passed away on July 25, 2012 from cancer.  The Wilkerson family now runs World Challenge.  They focus on feeding the abject poor and on orphan care.  It seems that there are no small dreams in the Wilkerson family.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

The Beekeeper's Apprentice is the first in a series of Sherlock Holmes stories featuring a new heroine, Mary Russell.  Through books and movies, Sherlock Holmes has been consistently portrayed as a genius detective, in a league entirely his own.  Here we see a woman who can match his intelligence and wit, while adding compassion and ingenuity into the cases they work.  Mary Russell has a deep theological background and an inquisitive mind, as well as the courage to act when necessary.

At first the glaring age difference made it an unlikely pairing of minds.  However, as the story progresses, the age difference becomes less and less pronounced.  Although Mary Russell has flaws, it was nice to see such a strong female character.

Laurie R. King wrote the Beekeeper's Apprentice back in 1994.  Laurie fashioned the character of Mary after herself as a young girl.  Laurie grew up in California and the Pacific Northwest.  In fact, I discovered that for a few years in her childhood she lived in exactly the same neighborhood I did growing up (many years before I was born though).  She studied Theology in college and married an Anglo-Indian.  They have a home in California and one in England, splitting time between them.  They also travel frequently.

Laurie has written many other novels in the Mary Russell series.  The next book in that series is scheduled to be released in 2015.  Laurie R. King has also written another series of mysteries featuring another female lead, the Kate Martinelli mysteries.  The first book in that series, A Grave Talent, won the Edgar award in 1993.  The Edgar award is given to the best fiction book written that year by a first-time novelist.

If you are interested in delving into more of the Sherlock Holmes or Mary Russell stories, here are some things to check out:

- The BBC Sherlock Holmes series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman is airing season 3 on January 19th on PBS.
- The Beekeeper's Apprentice tumblr has some interesting pictures and ideas for movie casting, etc.
- Via YouTube I found a 6 minute clip that includes footage from the actual area in England where Holmes and Russell first meet with some lines of the book being read by Laurie R. King.
- If you are looking for more information on Sherlock Holmes the character, look here.

And for fun, here are some pictures of the various Sherlock Holmes in TV and Film:

 From the 1900 William Gillette Play

 Benedict Cumberbatch in the current BBC Sherlock Holmes series

 Jeremy Brett starred in several Sherlock Holmes movies and TV series through the 1980s and 1990s

Douglas Wilmer played Sherlock Holmes in the 1964 BBC version

Johnny Lee Miller in the series Elementary

Robert Downey Jr. in the most recent Hollywood version of Sherlock Holmes

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This seemed like the perfect book for summer.  A light, happy read, but with undoubted substance.  I hope you all read it and enjoy.

There is also a version with digital images of each page of the 1st edition which had illustrations.  Here are links to those illustrations:
Matthew brings Anne Home
Anne has words for Rachel Lynde
Anne's First Day at School
Anne breaks the slate over Gilbert's Head
Anne Walks the Ridge-pole
Gilbert Rescues "Elaine"

Anne and Diana
Gilbert walks Anne home (where she finally forgives him)

I'm sure I'd heard of it before, but my real introduction to Anne was in the Spring of 1999.  My mother had discovered she had cancer and as she was recuperating after her first surgery and getting ready to start chemotherapy a friend recommended she read Anne of Green Gables.  Mommy LOVED them all.  She even dreamt once that she was having tea with Anne.  They kept her hopeful and positive and we all honestly believe she lived longer out of sheer will.  With the books came the movies and we all watched those together as we peeled and processed apples (bumper crop that summer John and I lived there!).
John and I finally read them aloud together in the summer of 2007.  We, too, loved them all.  The last one is our favorite, but for different reasons.  He loves glimpse into the Canadian experience in World War I (which was fascinating) and  I loved it because it's about Anne's youngest daughter, Rilla. Being a youngest child I could identify with many of her concerns.  It is naturally a more serious book than the others and despite Rilla's happy ending it has plenty of heartbreak.
For those who have read the rest of the books, this is no surprise.  There is heartbreak in the them all which is part of what makes these books so good.  When tragedy strikes Anne puts it into words and somehow managed to cope and be hopeful.  

If you don't have a copy of the book you can read it online here.

There is a Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Here are some links to interesting pages there. . .

The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery and a Time Line of her life

The Works of L.M. Montgomery (it's a lengthy list)

Teacher's Corner which looks well-worth exploring.

Heading up to PEI?  Here's some tourist information.

A brilliant sentiment from L.M. Montgomery!

The Official Movie Website.  They claim to have some lost footage in their video section!

For any who have not yet seen the movies the 1st two are a MUST.
The 3rd is a must NOT.  Geez what a mess!

What the what? What's wrong with this picture?