Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: A Critical Parody Review: I think a number of readers have failed to understand what, I think, was Randall's goal in writing this book. Having grown up in the South (although this should not be a criteria), I was always incensed by those who liked GWTW - the movie (I have not read the book - sorry). As far as I'm concerned it was a Hollywood (white man's) production of a white woman's (Mitchell's) presentation of those poor white plantation owners in the South (BTW, I'm Caucasian, should that matter). It was about as repulsive as a minstrel show. So, I welcome Randall's step toward setting the record straight. Like many others have pointed out, this isn't a true parody. It is for this reason that I have referred to it as a critical parody. Also, as others have pointed out, this book is written as if it was the diary of our main heroine. Unfortunately, her style of writing is not consistent, making the character less believable. In reply to some other criticisms, however, whereas this is presented in 'diary' format, we could hardly expect Randall to develop the characters. Some of the lines in this work are brilliant! Those who didn't like it, go back and read it again. It's an EASY read and enjoyable. I would agree with some that if you're looking more for a critique and understanding of African-American life in the South, this is not the book to read. It does lend some light, however. My recommendation - read it. Especially if you liked GWTW. Then, think about it....
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: I am currently struggling to read this book Review: I have yet to finish the book because it is so poorly written and extremely hard to read. Judging by the comments on here it seems that anyone with anything over a 2nd grade ready level is also finding it difficult to follow. And naming charters "Other" just makes it even harder to follow them through out the book. I came here hoping that others that have finished it could show me a light at the end of the tunnel, but now I see I'm just wondering around in the darkness. I'll try to finish it over time b/c I really want to read it but to just sit down and enjoy it. I really don't see that happening.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Don't waste your money! Review: Actually, this book deserves less than a star but you don't offer that option. This book was so confusing I couldn't believe it. You need a road map to follow the characters. The only thing that made this book famous was the fact that the heirs to Gone to the Wind sued over it. If it hadn't been for that I probably would have never bothered.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Short and Not So Sweet Review: Catchy title. Downhill from there.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: A Slow, Boring Read, but the Photo on the Front Was Nice. Review: I wanted to like this book, I really did. But it was so poorly written and boring that it took me several days to finish it. And I made myself finish it, because I was hoping that it might get better, or have a good ending, or...something! The day after I finally made it through, I read a 700 page novel in two days, but TWDG kept making me nod off. My recommendation, if you REALLY want to read it, is to put yourself on the wait list at the local library. There's no harm in waiting a bit; and while you wait, you can read better books.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: This is terrible! Review: As writer, a black woman and a historian all I can say about Wind Done Gone is that is was simply terrible.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Don't waste your money! Review: This was an unbearable book to read because it was so bad and very difficult to follow. The story doesn't flow the way it should, there's no character development, and there are too many references to Gone With the Wind.If you want to read a book that gives a portrayal of slave life, read Roots. That was a great book and, along with Gone With the Wind, a true literary classic. And as a side note for history...the KKK in the late 1800's was very different from the KKK as we recognize it to be today. And if you've read Gone With the Wind, you'll see that slaves are not portrayed as dumb. On the contrary, most are portrayed as intelligent and kind people who know how to receive their desired action from the plantation owners. The Wind Done Gone is a sham - it doesn't do anything in terms of portraying slave life on Tara, it doesn't make us sympathetic towards the slaves, and it certainly isn't worth the time and money spent!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: GOD AWFUL! Review: I am still struggling to finish THE WIND DONE GONE. It is the worst book I ever read. I can't even understand it. Naming a character Garlic. Come on! Is it because I'm not black that I don't understand it? I think the writing is the worst I have ever experienced. I agree with a previous reviewer. Who did Alice Randall know? How in the world did this ever get published? The opporotunity to write a great story was there. What happened?
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Don't Even Bother Review: This is bad, almost unreadable. I think the only reason it was written was to make money for the author.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: I really wanted to like this book....... Review: The idea is great - the story of the O'hara family slaves. There's a lot of material there with all of the slaves of Tara, and the basics we were given about several of them (Mammy, Pork, Prissy, etc) in Gone With The Wind. Unfortunately, this book doesn't measure up to these characters or to the story telling ability of Margaret Mitchell. While Ms. Mitchell was a little too into the "Magnolia Blossoms and happy darkies" school of writing (Her portrayal of the KKK as folk heroes was weird even by 1930's standards) you have to admire her ability to tell an interesting story with finely developed characters. Alice Randall is not similarly blessed. Like the odious "Scarlett" of a few years back, this story just doesn't compare. Maybe someday someone will be able to tell other side of the the fantasy of Gone With The Wind - the misery of the people that provided for the spoiled O'Hara girls. It's a story that deserves to be told.
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