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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I read this book knowing very little about the story ahead of time. I had some impression that there was a grand romance between Heathcliff and a woman, but I wasn't sure who that was. After reading it, I'm very surprised by what a dark story it was. Heathcliff was such an unlikable character. I understood that he was acting out of vengeance, and that the ill treatment he received as a child was the cause, but I had absolutely no sympathy for him. He was so cruel to everyone around him, even those in the next generation who had no part in the horrible treatment he received as a child.
I did find this to be a very compelling story, holding my interest with all of its twists and turns, and interconnections.
I did find this to be a very compelling story, holding my interest with all of its twists and turns, and interconnections.
I read this as part if the the Bronte book club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srzqLIdA7wI) celebrating the 20th anniversary of Emily's death.
All I can say, is that they are all terrible people.
All I can say, is that they are all terrible people.
Gothic? Yes. Historical and gloomy? Yes. You want a tale of two people who are introverted, nasty, and selfish? You can find it here. I was looking forward to finally reading Wuthering Heights, but now I can't tell you why. I have a reader group that adamantly defended it when I questioned why this is even considered classical literature. You want gothic with a statement about sweeping period injustice, retribution, redemption, and love? I recommend Dickens. I am definitely biased in that I have to be able to find something redeeming in at least one character, and I didn't find it here. Not even the narrator, to me, has any redeeming qualities. Although I guess some of this has more to do with the sheer stubborn selfish nature of every other character in the book. Not on my favorite list.
Oh boy was I ever sorry I read this book. It was highly recommended by several people, so I was looking forward to reading it for an English class. Now, I can see its literary merits in writing style and social commentary and blah blah blah. But I absolutely HATE all the characters. What a bunch of self hating, destructive, emotionally abusive people! I found absolutely nothing romantic about them whatsoever. And since the "plot" is character driven, I was not fond of that either. It was a depressing and frustrating read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“WUTHERING HEIGHTS” NOT AN AVERAGE LOVE STORY
“Wuthering Heights” tells the passionate love story of Heathcliff and Catherine — characters that are often disliked for their behavior, but I found them endearing for the purposes they pursued. They acted out of a place of intense feeling and confusion; their love, cultivated in an environment of abuse and abandonment, was imperfect but genuine. It wasn’t healthy or swoon-worthy; it felt very Shakespearean.
Emily Bronte only wrote one book before her death. She penned “Wuthering Heights” with a male nom de plume and was the daughter of a preacher. Out of this unlikely background, she wrote a classic tale. Her construction of setting, character, dialogue, and the passion that drives the book is exquisite. The female characters are strong, have flaws, are outspoken, and own emotions.
The narrators are a tricky beast. Readers are shown a piece of the present story via a renter, and he then learns the back story from a maid. The pacing of the timeline via the narrators is well-executed, but at some parts the readers are too deep in the “he said, she said, he said” hole.
“Wuthering Heights” would be a great fall/winter read for those who enjoy a fevered love story, dramatic characters, and unique plot twists.
“Wuthering Heights” tells the passionate love story of Heathcliff and Catherine — characters that are often disliked for their behavior, but I found them endearing for the purposes they pursued. They acted out of a place of intense feeling and confusion; their love, cultivated in an environment of abuse and abandonment, was imperfect but genuine. It wasn’t healthy or swoon-worthy; it felt very Shakespearean.
Emily Bronte only wrote one book before her death. She penned “Wuthering Heights” with a male nom de plume and was the daughter of a preacher. Out of this unlikely background, she wrote a classic tale. Her construction of setting, character, dialogue, and the passion that drives the book is exquisite. The female characters are strong, have flaws, are outspoken, and own emotions.
The narrators are a tricky beast. Readers are shown a piece of the present story via a renter, and he then learns the back story from a maid. The pacing of the timeline via the narrators is well-executed, but at some parts the readers are too deep in the “he said, she said, he said” hole.
“Wuthering Heights” would be a great fall/winter read for those who enjoy a fevered love story, dramatic characters, and unique plot twists.
a true classic indeed. :)
i must say it is dark in a way because of the bitterness of the characters. it is tragic and enigmatic. but afterall it is a history to english literature and IF it is not good it should'nt be known up until this era. :]
unlike other novels, Wuthering Heights protagonist are anti-heroes. Instead of being compassionate and loveable, they are selfish and rude. Instead of confessing their love for each other and showing it, they fight against each other, destroying them in the process. Most people dislike this novel because of its gloomy plot and tragic endings. However, Catherine and Heathcliff are most likely close to reality than other novel characters. They are capable of commiting mistakes and facing its consequences. No wonder that this "love team" or pairs are very very well-known up until now. Many recognize Cathy and Heathcliff because of their unusual love story. They are line-ups to Jack and Rose, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, Edward and Bella, and ofcoarse Romeo and Juliet.
surely, it's a classic novel that cannot be forgotten. :]
i must say it is dark in a way because of the bitterness of the characters. it is tragic and enigmatic. but afterall it is a history to english literature and IF it is not good it should'nt be known up until this era. :]
unlike other novels, Wuthering Heights protagonist are anti-heroes. Instead of being compassionate and loveable, they are selfish and rude. Instead of confessing their love for each other and showing it, they fight against each other, destroying them in the process. Most people dislike this novel because of its gloomy plot and tragic endings. However, Catherine and Heathcliff are most likely close to reality than other novel characters. They are capable of commiting mistakes and facing its consequences. No wonder that this "love team" or pairs are very very well-known up until now. Many recognize Cathy and Heathcliff because of their unusual love story. They are line-ups to Jack and Rose, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, Edward and Bella, and ofcoarse Romeo and Juliet.
surely, it's a classic novel that cannot be forgotten. :]
Meh. A proper adjective to define the book perhaps would be raw . It’s the only thing that comes to mind right now.
I started reading this a while back but then I stopped because I didn’t understand much of what was going on (and to the day, I am still confused – what motivates this people?, why is this happening?) The fact that these people are all named the same doesn’t help. Still, I thought about giving it another go. And well, maybe is because I couldn’t relate, I couldn’t get engrossed in the book and just I kept thinking why why why, but I didn’t liked it much. The Bronte sisters create incredible characters. But, as superficial as it might sound, WH didn’t click with me.
I started reading this a while back but then I stopped because I didn’t understand much of what was going on (and to the day, I am still confused – what motivates this people?, why is this happening?) The fact that these people are all named the same doesn’t help. Still, I thought about giving it another go. And well, maybe is because I couldn’t relate, I couldn’t get engrossed in the book and just I kept thinking why why why, but I didn’t liked it much. The Bronte sisters create incredible characters. But, as superficial as it might sound, WH didn’t click with me.
I think I've read Wuthering Heights three times already and I frequently grab it to read some quotes here and there. It's one of the most horrific love stories I know and that just makes it perfect. For me Cathy and Heatcliff's love is far more touching the way it is: full of hatred, jealousy, vengeance... than any other "ideal" love. That also applies to the actual characters. Neither of them is flawless but that just makes the book even more enticing.
Although it received many critics back when it was written because of it's dark atmosphere, that's exactly why I think it's different and worth reading. Definitely one of my favorites.
Although it received many critics back when it was written because of it's dark atmosphere, that's exactly why I think it's different and worth reading. Definitely one of my favorites.