From Goodreads:
"Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's only novel, is one of the pinnacles of 19th century English literature. It's the story of Heathcliff, an orphan who falls in love with a girl above his class, loses her, and devotes the rest of his life to wreaking revenge on her family."
My Thoughts:
Sorry but I couldn't resist this short and sweet summary. I'm pretty sure that I couldn't describe this book better than that anyways. I've been putting off sharing my thoughts on this book for a few weeks now. Why you might ask??? Because even now I'm still a bit at a loss for words on how I felt about this book. Crazy, huh?
From the very beginning when I started reading this book I began to hear very differing opinions on this novel. Readers either seem to love it or hate it and I find myself right in the middle with a definite leaning towards enjoying it (I can't say I loved it). The story started off a bit slow for me. I found my attention wandering and began to wonder if this book was going to be for me or not. But all of a sudden I was caught up in the book and found myself putting the "other" book I was reading to the side in order to read this one. And then I just had to see how the storyline would play out and how everything would end. I'm huge on characters in books and my connection with them as a reader. So it was very surprising for me to realize that I was enjoying reading the book even though I didn't really care for any of the characters. At all. The ending of the book redeemed my connection to the characters just slightly but overall I disliked almost every character in the book. And after closing the book I just sat and mused over my feelings. I still find myself at a loss so I'll leave you with this. I will definitely be rereading this book at some point. (And sorry for the less than coherent thoughts on this one...LOL!)
Disclosure: Checked out from my local library just for this lovely cover :)
And I'm going to leave you with the link to the lovely Naida's review (who loved this story and can actually express why she did)
Sam, you did a good job expressing your thoughts about the book; sometimes it does take a while to really get "into" a story, even a classic like Wuthering Heights. I have read Naida's review as well, and after reading both of yours I realize that a reread is in order this year.
ReplyDeleteI read Jane Eyre this year, so now I imagine this is the next one I should tackle! Maybe later in the year since I am in 'fantasy' land at the moment. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Wuthering Heights but think Jane Eyre is better to be honest. I think you're right, this one is a bit of a struggle to get in to.
ReplyDelete:D
Lynn
I think you expressed yourself well Sam. I'm glad you tried this one out. Its one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI do feel the same way as you do when it comes to the characters though....I don't really like any of them either. I really enjoy the plot and setting.
Thanks for linking my review :)
I'm rereading this again for the first time in many years, and I'm curious to see what I'll think of it. I remember loathing the characters and loathing the book, but I always read it right after Jane Eyre, and I know that affected my reading a lot. I can't expect it to be Jane Eyre! I have to let it be its own book!
ReplyDeleteI have always heard about Bronte but never read her work. Thanks for this review, I'm gonna buy the book and add it in my TBR list. :)
ReplyDeleteHave the same cover--had to buy it when Jill at Fizzy Thoughts was doing her readalong even though I already had a few copies at home.
ReplyDeleteI feel much the same way as you--but maybe even a bit more complicated? ;) And the characters are dispicable, huh. Truly and terribly. But I just can't help but love the passion in the book.