I was hoping your second reading would be a better experience. It fascinates me how people either love or hate this book. I am on the absolutely love side. It ties with David Copperfield as my all- time favorite book. 😊
I feel like a lot of initial negative reactions to WH (at least in my circle) comes from the misunderstanding of the word “Romance” to introduce the book to them. Bronte wasn’t a “romance author” who wrote about love stories. She was a *Romance* author, spelt with a capital R, who belonged to the Romantic literary school. This movement specialised in exploring (then taboo) subjects such as hate, vengeance and anguish. And celebrated the beauty of nature, something they felt was lacking at the time. Which is probably why the writing of the moors is legitimately beautiful, you gotta admit. Though the way you described the setting sounds like a setting of a horror movie lmao. You’re absolutely spot on though. Granted I can also understand if the book is just too dark for some. I enjoyed it, even though the characters often got on my nerves for being such jerks lol WH is like a soap opera in Victorian literary form lol
I'm with you! I thought the setting and atmosphere were perfectly constructed for someone who likes this sort of read, but I'm not that person. I have to like at least ONE character in a book (preferably more), and I didn't click with any of these characters enough to push through to the end. Thanks for the review -- nice to know I'm not alone in my feelings on this book!
I remember reading Wuthering Heights in high school, but I don’t remember many details of the story. It does seem like a dark romance with much tragedy, but I am not sure if that is a good reason to hate the book. Shakespeare’s plays also have the dark side of human nature (especially the tragedies) but I still love them. I don’t think it is much different with dark novels than with drama. If they sometimes show human depravity perhaps they are just being truthful and realistic.
Totally agree--great analysis. I've read it 3 times and hated it more each time. Brilliant structure and great writing that creates a completely evil & toxic atmosphere. Can't stand any of the characters, although I have to give Isabella credit for having the sense to leave an abusive situation, which no one else seems to have the courage to do. I will never read it again--I don't need the abuse and I don't understand readers who inflict this pain upon themselves.
Beautiful explication! My experiences with WH are similar to yours without the passion. My first reading was on my own as a teenager. I remember first reading the spoiler-filled introduction that attempted to force a specific reading on readers. So, I analyzed the novel against the introduction, which suppressed my emotional responses. I understood the novel was well-written and about much more than the introduction claimed. But, I did not enjoy the characters or story. Fast forward over 40 years, I reread WH for a graduate literature class about 2 years ago. Again, I read the novel through my analytical lenses. I appreciated the literariness, even more, the second time, but did not enjoy or relate to the characters and their troubles.
You know I love it and I can’t wait to re read it next week. I love how passionate they all are and yes I hate some of the characters but if it makes sense I love to hate them 😌
Well said, and I'm with you. I'm about half way through, but struggling. It's fascinating, like the beauty and symmetry of a black widow spider, but the book makes my skin crawl in similar fashion. Even Nellie is so full of pride, duty, and resentment (and she thinks VERY highly of herself) that I would not care to be around her. There is no humor in the book, and no truly likeable characters. I'm going to make an effort to push through to the end, but if I don't make it, you'll know why. The people inside the two residences make the Yorkshire moors a stroll in the park and a bit of fresh air in comparison.
I agree this story is not for the faint of heart and truly I found it hard to read and struggled to finish because as you said, it was so violent. I was emotionally exhausted at the end of this book and was so happy it was over and yet it I gave it three stars on GoodReads, mostly because I like Emily's writing. I might of given it two and half stars, if I could.
"Emotionally exhausted" is right! I was just thinking today, it's not even so much that Wuthering Heights is so much more horribly dark than other dark books that I've read, but like you said, it is just so exhausting! There's nowhere to rest.
I loved it! But I pretty much felt just like you did for about the first half. I was like why is everyone so mean to each other. I kept feeling like “no no don’t do that” “no please don’t respond this way” and then as it was all coming together towards the latter part. I was like wow 🤯 every detail falls into place. I was hoping she wasn’t simply writing about violent things just for the sake of being dramatic and I don’t think that’s the case. Like you said there’s so much that can be said. I thought it was genius work that I may turn back to often. I did find Edgar’s love for his wife and daughter endearing. Although I do have a gripe with him, in the beginning when Heathcliff was going to try to be good (when Nelly was encouraging him) Hindley rejected him and Edgar I think was partaking in making fun of Heathcliff. I was like “noooo!” Just when he wanted to be good, I think that incident is what sparked that bitterness in Heathcliffs heart unfortunately. My heart broke for Heathcliff in that moment. Maybe the story would have taken another turn had Heathcliff been shown a little more compassion and love. I wish he had taken his pain to God. Im enjoying watching everyone’s videos, now that I finished reading it. I’m really surprised I fell on the love it side.
. . . so enjoyed your review! i am on the ❤ side; this book, along w/David Copperfield, Pride and Prejudice were the first classics I read as a young girl - & are my favorites to this day!😊
I've recently started WH (as of today I am on chapter 10). I found the first four chapters (Mr Lockwood's first visit to Wuthering Heights) some of the most electrifying prose I have ever read. The characters were so unpleasant I found them hilarious - perhaps the book is partly meant as satire. Now I am on Nelly's recounting of the history of Heathcliffe and Cathy which is less immediate than the early chapters but still enjoyable. There is something fascinating about how dreadful the characters are - especially Cathy. I actually feel a bit sorry for Heathcliffe who is treated very badly. The energy of the book is intense. Time will tell if I love the rest of the book or come to despise it. As another commenter says, it's like the bleakest of soap operas (for UK viewers think Eastenders) - but the quality of the writing - fabulous.
Wuthering Heights is my favoruite novel of all time, but I love listening to how much people hated reading it. 😂Much preferable to those who think it's romantic for sure! It's a story about terrible people doing terrible things, and that's an acquired taste.
I'm sorry you didn't have a better reading experience this time around. As you know I love this book but can totally appreciate the reasons why you don't! This was a great video with lots of interesting points 😀
I quite liked the short version but ı definitely agree with the longer review. The book left me depressed both times I read it :) However, the writing and description of the environment is really admirable.
I hate Wuthering Heights with a passion. Detestable characters, incestuous relationships, unnecessary dialect (Joseph and to some extent, Hareton; hysterical and even mad characters... well, maybe Nelly Dean and Lockwood are just about tolerable. There are a lot of books I dislike, but this is one I actually hate. Kind regards from Cheshire.
