Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sunday Salon & Raffle September 7, 2008

Hi Saloners,

As I sit here writing this weeks Sunday Salon, my sister just called to let me know that my town is under a tornado warning. Lovely! Of course, at this time of night, around 8:00PM it is dark and Hurricane Hannah has been raising havoc all day. How do you see a tornado in the dark? The ground is saturated and trees, limbs and other projectiles litter the streets. Power lines are down, major streets are closed and I am thankful I am inside my cozy house. Now, you would think I live in the southern part of the US, but actually, I live in Connecticut. More specifically, the inland northern hills. So although I have lived through hurricanes while living at the coast in my earlier lifetime, I'm not fond of the term "tornado warning." My dog "Mystery" as usual, is hiding in the bathroom because she hates the sound of thunder. She shutters and quakes continuously until I can give her something to calm her down. Well, as Twain is quoted, "If you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes." I'm waiting.

The Winds of Tara, by Katherine Pinotti


You will be surprisingly swept away by The Winds of Tara, assuming you can obtain a copy to read. It is unavailable in the United States. Due to copyright infringements and the lack of authorization from the Mitchell Trust, the book was pulled from bookstore shelves. Fortunately, since the copyright does not apply in Australia, diehard Gone With the Wind fans, can buy The Winds of Tara there, albeit having to pay high shipping costs.

Once I overcame the logistics of obtaining the book, it was well worth the wait and expense. I was held captive again by Scarlett and Rhett as I was as a teen.
Again, Tara is the rock that holds the family together and nothing is more sacred or valued more, than the lives and reputations of those who live there. It is delightful to enjoy the banter again between the Butler’s as they continue to prove they are truly made for each other. Neither trusting each other, both madly in love with each other, both stubborn and unyielding. Without the Civil War as the backdrop, Scarlett is busy trying to save her marriage and recover her reputation as well as maintaining the social status of the family name.

Katherine Pinotti has succeeded in masterfully matching the tone, style, dialect and personalities of the original characters created so lovingly by Margaret Mitchell. It is obvious that the author took great care when writing the sequel to maintain a continuum that would be believable and have the same passion as the original. Her success should be celebrated as she has not altered the integrity of Mitchell’s novel, nor has she detracted from the novel’s birthright. On the contrary, Pinotti, has enhanced the legacy of Gone With the Wind by breathing a new soul into a story fans have yearned to hear.

Although it has been said that Mitchell never intended a sequel, many have attempted to provide a resolution to GWTW. Scarlett written in 1991 was rather dull and disappointing. Recently, Rhett Butler’s People, by David McCraig out in stores, provides another perspective. Both of these sequels were authorized despite Margaret Mitchell’s wishes. Another version bestselling, The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall is from the slave’s perspective. This book was allowed to be sold only after a court decision ruled in favor of the author.

Katherine Pinotti’s version fulfills an enormous void for those fans who wish to reclaim the magic of Tara. The Winds of Tara is an astounding success. It will captivate your attention and you will believe.

“God’s nightgown!”, as Scarlett would say.
It is such a waste to finally have a worthy sequel, and not be able to support the demand for anyone wanting to read the book in the US. If you loved Gone With the Wind, you must send for The Winds of Tara today.


Busy Week



I've had a super busy schedule at work this week, but grateful for my free time to read at night. I had a productive week after finishing up the prodigious tome The Toss of a Lemon that had me tied up it seemed for some time. This book was very well written, but had such finite details that at times I almost said, "Enough, I'm done!!!" Fortunately, I stuck with it, because it really has a very strong heroine who I wanted to follow to the end. Please see my review: The Toss of a Lemon


Finished this week....reviews to follow.


1.You Are Here, The surprising link between what we do and what that does to our planet. by Thomas M. Kostigen This is a series of stories about cities or places around the world that are the most polluted and who is responsible.

2.Living Dead Girl, by Elizabeth Scott
3.Red Sky in Morning, by Patrick Culhane
4.The Fire, by Katherine Neville
5.A Lady of Secret Devotion, by Tracie Peterson

Win a Book,End of Summer Raffle


This week I am having a raffle for a copy of So Long at the Fair. This is what Amazon said about this book:The bestselling author of Drowning Ruth returns to the small-town Wisconsin she so brilliantly evoked with this gripping novel about love, marriage, and adultery.

The Rules: 1. Leave a comment on my blog. (one chance)
2. Answer this question and get (another chance): What was the name of the book written about Gone With the Wind from the slave's perspective?
3. Link this raffle to your blog. (another chance)
4. Drawing will be held on September 18th.
5. Contest only open to United States shipping address.
6. Leave an email contact address.

Good Luck!!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

We moved out of Texas where seeing a tornado was common. It was the scariest time of my life. Seeing in the dark was one of my questions too. Keep safe.

The Bookworm said...

I'm drooling over The Winds of Tara. Too bad they dont sell it in the U.S.
I think the answer to that question is 'The Wind Done Gone'

thanks for blogging about my giveaway, I'll blog about yours soon.

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Clare Dudman said...

Great review of the GWTW sequel - it sounds to me like you've evoked the flavour of the book very well. It seems a shame it's not for sale in the US. I feel sorry for the author to have worked so long, and probably so affectionately and then not to be able to sell it - she must be devastated.

Anonymous said...

Although most people don't know that such a thing exists, I actually live in England's tornado alley and we had a 'beauty' about three years ago, so all my sympathies are with your sister. In fact in the past five years we've had an earthquake, a tornado and serious flooding. Maybe this is why I live so much in the world of books - as a means of escape! Please tell your sister all my thoughts are with her.

wisteria said...

Ann, I didn't know that. You rarely hear about severe weather in the UK at least on our side. The tornado was in my town, I was oblivious because like you, I escape to my books. My sister knows I don't watch TV so thankfully, she had the eye to my sky for me. LOL She is a great sister though, and has been there to help during my years of health battles.

wisteria said...

Clare, Thanks for the kind words. Dr. Pinotti is very proud of the book. I only hope the copyright issues can be resolved, as it would benefit all.

samantha.1020 said...

I would like to have a chance to win this book as it sounds interesting. Thanks!

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

The Wind Done Gone. I haven't liked any GWTW sequels I've read before, I'll have to locate this one.

I'd love to win the giveaway. I blogged it too.

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/giveaways.html

Marie Cloutier said...

I hope the tornado missed you or petered out. what a crazy weather weekend.

Iliana said...

I live in Texas and I swear this Spring was one tornado warning after another - I need to move somewhere far! :)
Hope you have much nicer weather soon!

And, please add my name to the drawing - So Long at the Fair sounds good. Thanks.

Anna said...

Please enter me! Oh, and the book from the slave's perspective was The Wind Done Gone. I had no idea there was another GWTW sequel. Interesting.

--Diary of an Eccentric
diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

Ti said...

I would like a chance to win! Everyone already answered the question so I will be fair and not mention it again for a second chance. LOL.

thereedfamily[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Anonymous said...

The Wind Done Gone? Enter me, please.

Alyce said...

I would love to be entered to win this book!

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

I did look in your post to find "The Wind Done Gone." Then I saw the answers in all the other comments. :)

windycindy said...

Hi, I hope all is well with you. I grew up with a fear of tornadoes. My mom was deathly afraid of them and I can remember many times being woke up during the night and taken downstairs because of storms! I live in the Midwest. The book for your giveaway sounds like a remarkable story! I saw everyone else's answer, so I didn't put mine in this entry. Please put my name in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail.com

bookworm said...

I think the book your're referring to is "The Wind Done Gone". I really like GWTW, this would be an excellant addition to that story. A very interesting perspective!

bookworm said...

I think the book your're referring to is "The Wind Done Gone". I really like GWTW, this would be an excellant addition to that story. A very interesting perspective!

Unknown said...

Night time tornado warnings are so scary. We just head for the basement and wait it out. Luckily, my dog, so far, could care less about storms. Thanks for doing the giveaway!

jgbeads[at]gmail[dot]com

Icedream said...

I enjoyed Drowning Ruth and would love to be entered. So many people answered but for the extra entry I will too, "The Wind Done Gone". I have an old edition of GWTW, it's falling apart but it's a copy I won't part with :D

wisteria said...

Ice Dream... Isn't it amazing how we can love a book till it is in pieces. Then like an old tattered stuffed animal hold tightly to it as if someone might want to take it from us. I love those kind of books. Thanks for visiting the blog.

photoquest said...

Please enter me in the drawing for So Long At the Fair. I've had this on my wish list since i first saw it was coming out.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

photoquest said...

For my second entry answer to question I believe is Wind Done Gone.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

The Wind Done Gone. This book sounds so interesting, I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me.
ayancey@dishmail.net

Anonymous said...

What a perfect end of summer book. I'd love to read it.

As for your question...It was called "The Wind Done Gone."

doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Alyce said...

I blogged about it here:

http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/weekly-giveaway-roundup.html

Carol M said...

The Wind Done Gone is the answer to your question.

Gone With the Wind is one of my favorite books. I wish it was easier to get a copy of The Winds of Tara!

I would love to read So Long at the Fair. Thank you for the chance to win it!

mittens0831 AT aol DOT com

Anonymous said...

I think the answer to that question is 'The Wind Done Gone'