Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. - Page 2 - Writers Forum

Bob Loblaw · 06-09-2006, 12:20 PM

I actually liked Wuthering Heights, which was actually surprising: I expected a Jane Austen wanna-be-- don't get me wrong, I love Jane Austen, but there's only one Jane Austen!

Anyway, it liked it-- It's a weird love story, but I still love it. I also found the various points-of-view amazing-- I never read a book like that, and I don't know any writer who could pull it off.

The only thing I didn't really like was Joseph's accent; I confesss-- I rarely read what he said, because I couldn't understand it. He's kinda like that farmer in The Waterboy who just speaks gibberish (in my opinion).

And as for introductions, I actually find them interesting (some provide analysis and I like analyzing stuff); but it's much better to read the work first because the introduction gives so much away (don't get me started about the Penguin Edition's introduction to Don Quxiote). The authors of these introduction write on the assumption that since these books are "classics," everyone knows the story, which is completely false.

Mike C · 06-10-2006, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyLiar

Wuthering Heights was by far the dryest piece of work I've ever had the displeasure of reading. I could not get into it for the life of me. Although, going over it in class, I still felt like I wasn't missing much.

Here's a tip for you:

It's ok not to like the classics, really it is. If you missed the point, or didn't get it, that's fine. Not every book is for every reader. But they are classics for a reason, and to be that dismissive makes you look really dumb without lessening the reputation of the book one iota.

WH gives you two love stories, a commentary on the precariousness of the class-based society, the destructiveness of love that never changes and a love that transcends death.

It's a romance, a gothic ghost story, and social commentary. If you find that dry, best stick to comics.

andreaypich · 07-29-2006, 07:36 PM

Mike C's description of WH's themes is spot on.

I read it at the age of 14 and then re-read it this year for university. I want to read it again now. It's probably one of my favourite novels. Has anyone watched the film? Does it do the book justice?

Kane · 07-29-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Here's a tip for you:

It's ok not to like the classics, really it is. If you missed the point, or didn't get it, that's fine. Not every book is for every reader. But they are classics for a reason, and to be that dismissive makes you look really dumb without lessening the reputation of the book one iota.

WH gives you two love stories, a commentary on the precariousness of the class-based society, the destructiveness of love that never changes and a love that transcends death.

It's a romance, a gothic ghost story, and social commentary. If you find that dry, best stick to comics.

Even the greatest of themes can be diminished by delivery. All of the themes you mentioned do sound worth reading about, or hearing about, but if they are presented in a way that is unappealing to the reader, then they are worthless. It is as you said, "not every book is for every reader." This has as much to do with style as it does theme or genre.

I've read several of the classics, and hundreds of books written in modern times. In nearly every case, I found the classic prose to be extremely dry, an effort to be plodded through, rather than enjoyed. The Iliad was a notable exception, among a few others, but for the most part I didn't enjoy what I read. I don't read comic books, and the insinuation that one must enjoy the prose of long dead authors who lived and spoke and wrote in various periods of history not our own is a ridiculous one, born of snobbery.

Mike C · 07-30-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

I've read several of the classics, and hundreds of books written in modern times.

Well done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

In nearly every case, I found the classic prose to be extremely dry, an effort to be plodded through, rather than enjoyed.

Maybe you should stop trying until they bring out the Redneck EZ-Reader version?

I think you've let the whole point bypass you somewhere along the line Kane.

Kane · 07-30-2006, 11:09 AM

And what exactly is the point? That if I don't like to read books that were written in 15th century prose, or that I'm not always fond of translations of three thousand year old books, then I am a redneck? Don't be such a snob. My reading comprehension is of the highest level. I simply become bored with dry prose very easily.

Mike C · 07-30-2006, 04:50 PM

If your reading comprehension is so high, go back over the thread and see where you missed the point.

Don't make me explain things twice.

Stewart · 07-30-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

I found the classic prose to be extremely dry, an effort to be plodded through, rather than enjoyed........the insinuation that one must enjoy the prose of long dead authors who lived and spoke and wrote in various periods of history not our own is a ridiculous one, born of snobbery.

I get the impression that you came to the classics as something which must be got through (and thinking of it as a classic) rather than taking it on its own merits and sitting down to read it at leisure.

Kane · 07-30-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

If your reading comprehension is so high, go back over the thread and see where you missed the point.

Don't make me explain things twice.

Don't patronize me...I read what you wrote. It doesn't change what I said.

keatsian · 12-07-2006, 05:37 AM

"Wuthering Heights"- The greatest love story I have ever read. I still read it..for the 20 th time I think. The brutality of Heathcliff, the delicate Catherine tossed between a primordial emotion for her rustic boyfriend and a non-chalant gentlemanly affected love for Edgar Linton...the moors behind, the cloudscape of the moors, the painted language of Bronte-My God! Emily would drive me into a rapture whenever I read her. Heathcliff is nothing but a little shabby and rustic Rochester(of 'Jane Eyre').Every passionate heart reading the novel will see a surge in their own passion atleast for a moment. The wilderness sets that tone.
My most favourite scene in the novel is when Heathcliff returns after runningaway-as a new man in suit...his manners tamed and trimmed...and his heart turned more cruel...At this time, Cathy is extremely excited(on cloud nine) so much so that she never takes her eyes off Heathcliff(all this happens in front of her husband Edgar) and a line reads something like this:
"She never took her eyes off him fearing lest he should vapourise ..."

'Wuthering Heights' is a must read for young hearts!

AriMakvas · 12-08-2006, 03:29 PM

I think Wuthering Heights is amazing. I didn't enjoy it, because it was so depressing, but as a work of literature I think it's well written, well structured, and well developed. Joseph annoys me too, but reading it out loud helps me understand what he's saying.

And I don't ever read introductions. You can read that when you're done with the novel!

mvr_moorthy · 12-13-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AriMakvas

I think Wuthering Heights is amazing. I didn't enjoy it, because it was so depressing, but as a work of literature I think it's well written, well structured, and well developed. Joseph annoys me too, but reading it out loud helps me understand what he's saying.

And I don't ever read introductions. You can read that when you're done with the novel!

I too prefer to avoid reading introductions. But “Wuthering Heights”
left in me a sense of desolation and the dark gloomy feeling haunted
me for a long time. I wanted to know more about Emily Bronte and
the Bronte family but what all biographical details I could collect were
of no avail. Then I happened to read a weird book--- I don’t remember
the author’s name--- “The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte”. It was
Emily’s brother who was considered the most talented person in the
family , but who hovered on the brink of insanity, crime and finally
committed suicide. Emily was the brave girl of the family, the sympathetic,
understanding sister who struggled relentlessly to keep her brother within
the bounds of sanity. I understood what inspired Emily Bronte to create a
character like Heathcliff--- the agony and the anguish of her experience.
This is what makes WH such a great creation where the stark wild
power of human instinct is inseparably interlaced with the utmost
tenderness of human emotion.

huntingtonb · 12-16-2006, 12:56 AM

Kate Bush wrote and sang an awesome song based on the novel and called, well, "Wuthering Heights". It's on her "The Whole Story" compilation, I believe. It's sung from the point of view of Cathy when she's trying to get in Heathcliff's window as a spirit. Haunting, intense.
Pat Benetar did an incredible cover of it on her 'Crimes of Passion' album.

lisajane · 12-16-2006, 03:56 AM

Hayley Westerna also did a cover of it on her debut album (forgotten what it was called). I love the song.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS - The Short Version:

Lockwood
I think I'll stay here. Tell me a story, woman.

Nelly Dean
I'm no gossip, mind you, but this guy Heathcliff got adopted, everyone hated him, and his love Catherine died.

Heathcliff
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (dies)

Lockwood
I'll be on my way.

THE END

Loulou · 01-06-2007, 12:26 PM

In my humble, personal opinion 'Wuthering Heights' is the most over-rated classic of all time. I am aware that it is highly regarded but it just left a sour taste in my mouth. Love story? Not at all. Two main characters with the largest ego's and the least appealing persona's in the history of classic literature shag other people, argue, and die. This is love? Don't get me wrong; I love an anti-hero - when that's what they are. But these two are hero/heroines (supposedly). I may be dumb but I really don't get the popularity of this story at all.

Now 'Jane Eyre', that's another matter. Beautiful story, plain girl gets hers, ugly grumpy man gets his. Simple tale invovling a slowly evolving love, hurdles to be overcome, physical affliction and heartache, ending with the nesessary coming together of two souls. The pace is wonderful, the pain is exquisite. Perfect.