The Scarlett novel, written by Alexandra Ripley, is a continuation of one of the most famous works of American literature. It was created in 1991. Very soon, in 1994, the Scarlett novel, reviews of which were rather contradictory among admirers of M. Mitchell’s work, was filmed. The book gained immense popularity, primarily because it was able to return to millions of readers one of the most beautiful and romantic couples in literature.
about the author
When it comes to the American writer Alexander Ripley, the novel “Scarlett” is mentioned first of all. The author made his debut in the literary field in 1972. Ripley owns a number of short stories and historical tales. But the novel “Scarlett” brought popularity to the writer. A summary of the work is set out below.
Loss
The novel begins with the funeral of Melanie Wilkes. On that day, Scarlett suddenly realized not only that Melanie was her only and faithful friend, but also that she did not love, and, perhaps, had never loved her husband. True love has always been Rhett Butler. However, awareness came too late. The husband had left both her and Atlanta by that time.
Scarlett leaves for Tara, where he learns another sad news. Mommy, her old nanny, is dying. She sends a telegram to Rhett, asking him to come and say goodbye to the dying maid. Scarlett's husband promises to fulfill the last request of a dying woman - not to leave Scarlett and always take care of her. However, immediately after the death of the old nanny, he shocked his wife with his statement. Rhett made a false promise to the old woman, supposedly only to calm her, in reality, no reunion between them will ever happen.
Devastation
Scarlett returns to Atlanta to fulfill the last request of Melanie, that is, to take care of Ashley and his son Bo. During this period, the US economic crisis is brewing, and the Wilkes sawmill not only does not bring benefits, but at any moment it may burn out. And Scarlett makes a decision that changes both her life and the material situation of the once beloved person. She sets about building cottages for which Ashley’s sawmill will supply the material. In this way, the financial well-being of the Wilks was decided.
Loneliness
After breaking up with Rhett, the heroine of the novel A. Ripley realizes that she was left completely alone in a huge house. She experiences loneliness. She has no one to talk to at all. Only after drinking alcohol do loneliness and longing seem to recede for a while. And Scarlett begins to drink ...
A few months later, realizing that she was rolling down, the heroine of the novel pulls herself together and decides to go for Rhett to Charleston to her mother-in-law in order to return him back.
Eleanor Butler, not knowing about the gap between the spouses, receives Scarlett warmly, unlike the younger sister of Rhett. In an attempt to provoke jealousy of her husband, Scarlett begins to flirt with one of the gentlemen, but receives only a rebuke from Rhett: she is completely indifferent to him, but he does not intend to watch how much these rumors upset his mother. Rhett wants to get a divorce. In exchange, the husband offers a large sum. Humiliated by such an offer, the woman agrees to leave, but only at the end of the big Season. Scarlett refuses to give up financial compensation and does not think.
Yacht storm
In one of the last days, the main character persuades a former lover to ride a yacht. But suddenly a terrible storm begins. The yacht is sinking. Only miraculously survived, they get to the shore, where, covered by sudden joy, make love. In the heat of passion, Rhett confesses Scarlett's love. However, an hour later, he abandons his words.
Having decided to delete Rhett from his life, Scarlett accepts the invitation of his aunts to go to the maternal grandfather's birthday in Savannah, and at the same time to visit the monastery, in which her younger sister took the tonsure. Here she also plans to resolve the issue of inheritance.
In the Savannah, Scarlett lives with her grandfather - a prim and grumpy man who holds his daughters and servants in hedgehogs. A freedom-loving woman does not like this at all. And she decides to find her paternal relatives. The O'Hara family joyfully accepts their cousin.
Ireland
At the invitation of one of her acquaintances, Scarlett visits Ireland - the homeland of her father. In this country, she is experiencing a real emotional upsurge. But the news that a divorce with Rhett has already been filed, becomes a real blow for a woman. True, little by little the heroine calms down. Scarlett is expecting a baby. She is sure that in such a situation the ex-husband will not leave her. Soon the woman finds out that Butler got married. However, now the daughter is becoming the meaning of her existence.
The next stage in the life of the heroine of the novel A. Ripley is closely connected with the social or political situation in Ireland. In the ancestral homeland, Scarlett acquires an estate. Her life is getting better. However, the tragic events, which are preceded by unrest among the Irish, lead to the fact that mothers and daughters being in the country becomes dangerous. Rhett Butler, meanwhile, is coming to Ireland. He was widowed and, as you might guess, left his homeland solely because of his ex-wife. An ex-husband rescues her from the Irish rebels who accuse Scarlett of aiding the British. And then he learns about his daughter. Scarlett and Rhett together again.
Reviews
Are the characters in the Mitchell novel different from the characters you meet when reading the Scarlett novel? The author claimed responsibility to write a sequel to the famous love story. But it seems that A. Ripley’s book is about a completely different woman and another man. This opinion comes down to most of the reviews. Perhaps the fact is that Mitchell left the final open not by chance. Scarlett lost everything she had. And this is a kind of retribution for her sins. The Scarlett novel is good as a separate work. But as a continuation, he, according to many readers, unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, the Scarlett novel, despite the mass of unflattering reviews, brought the author world fame and fame. The eponymous mini-series, released in 1994, received two Emmy Awards.