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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book to be disturbing and sad overall. In a way, though, it was a comforting, slow read. I thoroughly enjoyed the poetic prose of Bronte. This is my first Bronte book. I will try Jane Erye next and hope that it is more uplifting than this one. The four stars is for the writing style and not so much for the story itself. Although the story was a tragedy for the most part, it was an enjoyable read between the print and audio book. The narrators were very good.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Navigating a messed up family with a crowd of very complicated characters that you simultaneously feel terrible for and despise.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A masterpiece? Yes, probably, but I'm not sure that I enjoyed it and I was glad to reach the end.
Most of the characters are extremely unpleasant, even revolting and this includes both Heathcliff and Cathy. It's a strange, weird and fascinating novel.
Most of the characters are extremely unpleasant, even revolting and this includes both Heathcliff and Cathy. It's a strange, weird and fascinating novel.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Let's get this out of the way--most of the characters in this book are awful. Catherine, Heathcliff, Hindley, etc., are extremely self-serving people who are also bad parents. However, it's hard to dispute that this book birthed both an aesthetic (love on the moors) and a genre (dark romance w/paranormal undertones).
Emily Brontë also arguably did Rashomon before Rashomon. With its avant garde format of shifting narration, we get the story of Heathcliff told through many perspectives... but never his own. The two most important relationships in his life--his obsessive love for Catherine, and hispaternal love for Hareton-- remain enshrouded, sparking room for debate and reflection. IMO, Heathcliff's overheard realization that he loved Hareton and doesn't want to stand in the way of his happiness is the thing that allows Heathcliff to free himself of the mortal coil, enabling his reunion with Catherine at last. Hareton is more Heathcliff's son than Linton. Thus, in his own dysfunctional way, Heathcliff comes to fulfill the promise that Catherine and Hindley's father initially intended, i.e., for Heathcliff to become part of the family. In all, this is a bleak and at times frustrating story that nonetheless haunts.
Emily Brontë also arguably did Rashomon before Rashomon. With its avant garde format of shifting narration, we get the story of Heathcliff told through many perspectives... but never his own. The two most important relationships in his life--his obsessive love for Catherine, and his
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes