An old favorite

In a couple of weeks, I'm flying to Atlanta to visit my friends Felipe and Ricardo. My upcoming trip reminded me of one of my favorite books (and movies), GONE WITH THE WIND. I'm planning on seeing the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, where Mitchell wrote her one novel. I'm sure we're all familiar with the plot and characters: Tara, the Civil War, the burning of Atlanta, reconstruction, Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, Ashley Wilkes and Melanie Hamilton. As famous as the novel is -- one of the best-selling novels of all time, it went through twelve printings within two months of publication -- I'm sometimes surprised how many people have not read it. If you are one of those who hasn't read it, you should; and if you have read it, it's worth a re-read. Like all great novels, the themes found here are broader than the specific time and place of the plot. The struggle for survival in a period of complete war and devastation are timeless and Scarlett O'Hara is one of modern literature's most memorable characters.

For true GWTW fans, the library also has MARGARET MITCHELL'S "GONE WITH THE WIND" LETTERS 1936-1949. Collections of letters aren't always easy to read since they're often filled with people and incidents unfamiliar to the reader. This collection is different. Because it prints only letters having to do with the writing and publication of GWTW, the focus is much narrower. Mitchell was a prodigious letter writer and after the publication of her great novel, spent much of her time simply responding to fans. As the frenzy over the novel and movie grew, her life was almost consumed by her correspondence. This is truly a fascinating picture of how one of last century's best-loved novels came to be written.

Atlanta, I'll see you in a couple of weeks!