Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
The first half of this book put me in a reading slump. Maybe it was the language or the slow start. And am I the only one who hated the Yorkshire accent? — Used sparingly or on certain words, sure, writing out accents can add a bit of interest, but man, did I dread every interaction with Joseph.
That said, the ending was just beautiful, in all aspects of writing. I came to hate Heathcliff, but I felt his pain and ached with his history, and I see why he’s beloved by so many. The flick to proper, healthy love was like someone turning the lights on. Oh, and the blanket of peace and contentment settling on everyone, including cranky ol’ Heathcliff. :)
And I absolutely loved Nelly as the storyteller—I think it was important for us as readers to not have the whole emotional story, not every feeling. Seeing Wuthering Heights through the eyes of a more directly involved character would have drawn from the balanced, sensible depictions, and an omniscient narrator would have lacked any real connection to the reader. She was the perfect solution and I had so much fun hearing her thoughts at each point of novelty or distress.
It was well worth powering through the slump.
That said, the ending was just beautiful, in all aspects of writing. I came to hate Heathcliff, but I felt his pain and ached with his history, and I see why he’s beloved by so many. The flick to proper, healthy love was like someone turning the lights on. Oh, and the blanket of peace and contentment settling on everyone, including cranky ol’ Heathcliff. :)
And I absolutely loved Nelly as the storyteller—I think it was important for us as readers to not have the whole emotional story, not every feeling. Seeing Wuthering Heights through the eyes of a more directly involved character would have drawn from the balanced, sensible depictions, and an omniscient narrator would have lacked any real connection to the reader. She was the perfect solution and I had so much fun hearing her thoughts at each point of novelty or distress.
It was well worth powering through the slump.
I read this book many times when I was younger- much closer in age to the main protagonists- and I got the urge to reread it recently. It was extremely interesting to read it when older. All the characters seem....well, so young! But also, the story looks much less like a romance (even if if a very dark romance) and more like a brutally realistic portrait of alchoholism, neglect, and abuse. Reading about all the early death was also extra sad, as I was more aware of Emily Bronte's own very early death.
Nelly is also a much more slippery and interesting character than I ever realized- younger, first of all (I had missed the she was only a little older than Catherine), and one can read through the lines to see how at times she more actively manipulates events than she wants to reveal. (Persuading Heathcliff not to make a will at the end was really the wonderful finishing touch).
I do find the ending of the novel to be perfect- what better result than for Heathcliff's revenge schemes to end, simply because the next generation doesn't want to play the game, and develops a healthy attachment/love instead? And for Heathcliff to will himself to death because he can find no way to give his life further purpose once his revenge is over?
Nelly is also a much more slippery and interesting character than I ever realized- younger, first of all (I had missed the she was only a little older than Catherine), and one can read through the lines to see how at times she more actively manipulates events than she wants to reveal. (Persuading Heathcliff not to make a will at the end was really the wonderful finishing touch).
I do find the ending of the novel to be perfect- what better result than for Heathcliff's revenge schemes to end, simply because the next generation doesn't want to play the game, and develops a healthy attachment/love instead? And for Heathcliff to will himself to death because he can find no way to give his life further purpose once his revenge is over?
Me: Finished Wuthering Heights. I don’t think I’ve ever hated any group of characters like I hated this wretched bunch. They were all so fucking stupid and self centered!!!!
The characters are unlikable but I can't seem to put this book down.
My mother sat in the church at Haworth where Emily's father was curate and later told me everything made sense...the wildness, the close-to-nature, the weather...everything.
I reread this, looking for that atmosphere Mom recognized, and it's here. I always wondered how a sheltered young woman with no worldly wiles could invent these characters with all their over-the-top histrionics. How could sweet Emily imagine emotions like Heathcliff's? Wildness like Catherine's? I still don't feel close to an answer, but I did appreciate this so much more the second time.
I'm taken by the storytelling...almost all flashback, with characterization mainly accomplished through dialogue. Granted, there are some violent scenes, but they're being told after the fact, and somehow it removes us from the intensity. We know everyone through his or her words...Joseph and his Yorkshire accent, Catherine through her wild, fanciful words, and Heathcliff...oh, the malevolence of Heathcliff.
Two generations; two triangles. One happy ending -- we hope.
This edition -- introduction by Daphne Merkin -- was awesome. It included Charlotte's introduction to the second printing, long after Emily was gone, too soon, like Catherine and Isabella and Linton. The notes were especially helpful for the allusions...I recognized some of the Biblical allusions, but needed help finding PILGRIM'S PROGRESS and PARADISE LOST...and even FRANKENSTEIN. There was such criticism of Emily as being uneducated. Man, how wrong were they!
I was drawn to the descriptions of nature...such a romantic conceit. Charlotte matched emotions to landscape more closely, but the touching scenes between Cathy and Linton when they both described a perfect day were so beautiful. Their choices mirrored their persons so well.
I got lost in the chronology of the story, but a quick search online cleared it up.
As a character-driven reader, I had trouble finding characters to love. Nell and Lockwood at least weren't detestable. But Nell had her own motivations as she told her tales.
Loved the last scene...perhaps there will be peace at last.
Cathy and Hareton may break the curse.
I reread this, looking for that atmosphere Mom recognized, and it's here. I always wondered how a sheltered young woman with no worldly wiles could invent these characters with all their over-the-top histrionics. How could sweet Emily imagine emotions like Heathcliff's? Wildness like Catherine's? I still don't feel close to an answer, but I did appreciate this so much more the second time.
I'm taken by the storytelling...almost all flashback, with characterization mainly accomplished through dialogue. Granted, there are some violent scenes, but they're being told after the fact, and somehow it removes us from the intensity. We know everyone through his or her words...Joseph and his Yorkshire accent, Catherine through her wild, fanciful words, and Heathcliff...oh, the malevolence of Heathcliff.
Two generations; two triangles. One happy ending -- we hope.
This edition -- introduction by Daphne Merkin -- was awesome. It included Charlotte's introduction to the second printing, long after Emily was gone, too soon, like Catherine and Isabella and Linton. The notes were especially helpful for the allusions...I recognized some of the Biblical allusions, but needed help finding PILGRIM'S PROGRESS and PARADISE LOST...and even FRANKENSTEIN. There was such criticism of Emily as being uneducated. Man, how wrong were they!
I was drawn to the descriptions of nature...such a romantic conceit. Charlotte matched emotions to landscape more closely, but the touching scenes between Cathy and Linton when they both described a perfect day were so beautiful. Their choices mirrored their persons so well.
I got lost in the chronology of the story, but a quick search online cleared it up.
As a character-driven reader, I had trouble finding characters to love. Nell and Lockwood at least weren't detestable. But Nell had her own motivations as she told her tales.
Loved the last scene...perhaps there will be peace at last.
Cathy and Hareton may break the curse.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I now understand how this is a classic and a novel many return to annually. I loved the realism of the story, the prose in the narration, and the relatability of the characters. Each of the main characters have their strengths and their blemishes. Of the characters, the most sobering and complex to me was Heathcliff—who I understood as a brooding, hurt man, a product of his cruel treatment in youth. I enjoyed experiencing the fluidity throughout the two generations. It was tragic enough to parallel real life, but still has a nice ending tied in a bow.
I listened to the audio of this classic narrated by Joanne Froggat, a.k.a. Anna Bates. Ms. Froggat was an amazing narrator but this story was not a favorite. Most of the characters are terrible people and it was REALLY long! The excellent acting by JF was just about the only thing that got me through it.
This is my favourite book ever. I have read it an infinite number of times since I was 14 and every time I pick it up I find something different (mostly because of the old writing style which my 14 year old self didn’t understand). For those that prefer an easy read I wouldn’t recommend it. Transports me to another world every time I read. Love it!