Rating: 
Summary: A Long Time Coming
Review: Bravo! I say to Alice Randall for attacking the book that enabled white girls everywhere to relive the "glories" of the Confederacy. That said, "The Wind Done Gone" is still a meditation on Margaret Mitchell's characters-with a few new ones thrown in-and it never for me takes on a life of its own. Cynara, the narrator, sounds suspiciously contemporary and slips in and out of character. Still,Randall is steeped in the culture of slavery, and she reveals its dirty linen stain by stain. Now that she's dispensed with Other (Scarlett) and Mealymouth (Melaney), maybe she'll put what she knows into a work of her own.
Rating: 
Summary: An Inspiring Novel
Review: Ms. Randall's novel is an extremely courageous piece of literature that uses colorful and eloquent language to communicate an important message. I could not put the book down once I started. And like so many great novels, The Wind Done Gone invoked many questions in my mind and encouraged me to rethink my assumptions of this time period. Everyone should read this book, especially with an open mind and eagerness to learn about alternative perceptions of Southern reconstruction.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!!!
Review: What an enlightened and humorous take on GWTW. It was so refreshing to read Ms. Randall's account of a time that wasn't at all as "black and white" as some would like to believe. This book is a delighfully entertaining work that shows sheer creativity on the part of the author. A must read!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: THE worst book I have EVER read...
Review: Like many GWTW fans, I supported Alice Randall and the publishing of this book. I rushed out and bought it right away, keeping in mind it was a parody. I struggled through the first 16 pages. But, I MADE myself finish this book. The book (Cynara's diary) jumps around so much, the characters are sketchy and just not likeable. The portrayal of the much loved characters such as Ellen O'Hara and Mammy are disappointing to say the least. This is simply NOT a good book. I am sorry I bought this book...I am even sorrier I wasted an evening reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: The controversy is understandable
Review: This book is well worth reading and is head and shoulders above GWTW. The story is told without getting the reader bogged down in words and is thought provoking. I will never plow through GWTW again, but I may find myself enjoying the movie, now that there is a different back story to appreciate. The sterotypes in the movie were always offensive, but I would enjoy the burning of Atlanta. Cynara's story is much more sympathetic than Scarlet's but her take on things, makes Scarlet a lot easier to take. The Margaret Mitchell heirs may have felt this book would detract from the original but they were wrong.
Rating:
Summary: A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Review: When I first heard about the impending publication of "The Wind Done Gone," I was excited. At last, a book was on the horizon that would somewhat debunk the images of the Old South. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Well, I have finished Randall's book and, sad to say, this is not the book that "repaired" Mitchell's fantasy. Slow in pacing, confusingly organized, and hurt by the first person narrative style, the novel, like others have stated, is not a true parody. It is, however, one to be read and discussed for it does present another perspective, albeit, like the original, the "view" is slightly flawed. A better "parody" is the classic skit from the "Carol Burnett Show" entitled "Went with the Wind." Vicki Lawrence's turn as "Cissy," the slave who "knows nothing about birthin' no babies" had more bite than Randall's novel. I was hoping for more from this one.
Rating:
Summary: contrived!
Review: For God's sake! I wish someone who hadn't gone to Harvard had written this book. It's a great concept, but so obviously filtered through a self-conscious upper middle-class intellect. It's all so "dear"--the language, the socially/racially correct politics of it all... I lost interest about a third of the way through. How disappointing!
Rating:
Summary: Lets hope the wind don't come back.
Review: Anyone who is a fan of GWTW will NOT enjoy this PARODY. I found it to be poorly written, and was extremely suprised at the way the author kept having Cindy switch back and forth between good grammer and composition; and poor old darky jargon. I don't recommend this book. In fact, I think I'll sell my copy.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh out loud funny
Review: I am a huge fan of "Gone With The Wind" and as soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to have it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I laughed so hard at some moments I almost cried. It was fascinating to read about such classic characters from someone else's perspective. To find out that I was not the only one who thought Ashley was a bit too much of a dandy was hilarious. Thank you so much Alice Randall for giving us fans something new to talk about.
Rating:
Summary: A BIG waste of money!
Review: This has to be one of the most boring, stupid books I have ever read and I do read alot! I, along with lots of other people, awaited with anticipation the publication of this book. I was thrilled when Ms. Randall was given the right to publish her book. It should have stayed on the shelf! I found it very insulting to my intelligence and so obviously a rip off of "Gone with the Wind" that only someone with their head in the sand for the last 60 years or has never read a book could think it otherwise! I think the story certainly should be told from the slaves point of veiw but it was written so poorly that it was very hard to find a story among the ravings of this woman "Cindy". I love history and have read it all my life. This book, however, was not history but an attempt to make a fast buck.I do realize that the book is fiction. However, when given a license to portray a time in history we must try to be as true to the story telling as possible. Better luck next time Alice!
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