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questingnotcoasting 's review for:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
3.0
challenging dark sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I almost can't believe I've finally read this. It's a book I've meant to get to for about 10 years and it's been another three since I actually bought it because it was on sale in TKMaxx.
It's always a strange experience reading a classic for the first time because there's so much cultural context which/that comes along with it. I only had a vague idea of the story because I've never seen an adaptation so it challenged a lot of my preconceived notions about it. I knew it was gothic but somehow didn't imagine it would be so unrelentingly miserable. I was expecting the characters to be unlikeable but didn't know the plot was solely made up of people being awful to each other. I was also under the impression that Heathcliff had some redeemable qualities which made him a troubled but nevertheless still romantic lead but I didn't feel that was the case.
At first I was pretty confused about how all the characters were related but luckily this edition includes a family tree. While it does sort of spoil what happens, it actually made me more intrigued to see how the story would unfold. I don't think I'd have been that interested in the plot had I not had some idea of how it as going to end.
So while I can't say I really enjoyed it that much, I am pleased I've finally read it. 

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