This novel is really grand, there can be no doubt.
It tells not just a ravishing love story but it tells the story about a whole culture that is "gone with the wind". So, if it is a shame that this culture with its arrogance, racism and slavery is gone - I think we all agree that crimes unforgivable were comitted. But nevertheless, the society and the culture painted by Margarete Mitchell has a compelling fascination. This kind of fascination Ashley Wilkes describes in times of war: Life in the South is like a golden, lazy afternoon with a never failing rhythm and a steady, strong pulse.
What the novel makes also grand: Scarlett OHara is not a very nice person, not the classical heroine at all. The figure is broken, neither good nor bad at all, and that makes a good novel: The characters are characters and not types. Scarlett is selfish, vain, greedy. She is tough, hard and has good brains. It is amazing what a practical talent she shows after the war! In some ways you can detest her for her arrogance and her unscrupulous making money with prisoners. On the other side she is admirable, she is so strong in her bitterness, she is pragmatic and has too much common sense to be fascinated by the pathetic patriotism of the Southerners that lead to the desastrous war.
Rhett Butler has manifold aspects, too. He is cynical, he is rich, goodlooking like the devil and scorns the naive type of patriotic Southerner. But for Scarlett he really cares in a deep, existential way.
Their meetings are all legend. The dialogues are sharp, brilliant, clever, wicked. (I like Rhetts most pathetic proposal, and Scarlett answer: "I dont like your common jokes.")
This novel is so capturing you will never forget the places, the characters. You will be fascinated by both poles: The strong willed and selfish Scarlett and the mild, sweet Melanie Wilkes who spent their lives together in a very special union. Perhaps you will consider people in your environment as "Mellie"-types and "Scarlett"-types, as "Rhett"-guys and "Ashley"-guys...
Some remarks and characterizations of the colored people are really dismissive and patronizing. When I read it, I tried to skip it because it is really mean.