Mitchell received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for the book in 1937. The novel has been absorbed into American popular culture. Scholars at American universities refer to, interpret, and study it in their writings. Gone with the Wind is a controversial reference point for subsequent writers of the South, both black and white.

More than 30 million copies have been printed worldwide. As of 2014, a Harris poll found it to be the second favorite book of American readers, just behind the Bible. Gone with the Wind was popular with American readers from the outset and was the top American fiction bestseller in 19. This historical novel features a coming-of-age story, with the title taken from the poem 'Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae', written by Ernest Dowson. It depicts the struggles of young Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who must use every means at her disposal to claw her way out of poverty following Sherman's destructive 'March to the Sea'. The story is set in Clayton County and Atlanta, both in Georgia, during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era. With original envelope and a photogravure of Mitchell ready for framing.Gone with the Wind is a novel by American writer Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. Typed Letter, signed “Margaret Mitchell”. OED lists examples of it in use as early as 1535.Įxcellent with a firm, clear blue ink signature usual folds. The similar expression “God’s gown”, however, does predate the book. It’s possible that it just wasn’t written down, though. The expression “God’s nightgown” doesn’t appear in text earlier than Gone with the Wind, as far as I can tell (using Google Books). Mitchell won the National Book Award for Fiction for Most Distinguished Novel of 1936 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937. It has been many years since I have heard it.” As a small child, spending my summers in the country, I heard this expression used by very old men. I have a vague memory from my reading that it is at least Elizabethan. Mitchell comments “I can’t tell you exactly what its origin is. “He looks as if-as if he knew what I looked like without my shimmy,” and, tossing her head, she went up the steps…. “God’s nightgown!” said Scarlett to herself in indignation, using Gerald’s favorite oath. The novelist goes on to answer a question about the expression “God’s nightgown.” To quote Gone with the Wind: Such words as yours are comforting indeed to an author…” Mitchell is “glad that the characters seemed real to you. Margaret Mitchell responds to an “appreciative letter” about the classic novel of the antebellum.

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