Ken’s review of Wuthering Heights > Likes and Comments

My children were confused by spotting the recent film with the French title of 'Hurlevent' on ads, Ken - if they had read your review, they might have made the connection :). To my shame, this is one of the maybe five books in my reading life I didn't manage to finish (my sloppy knowledge of the English language not up to the dialogues in dialect), but as life is short, and unlike you I am boring person, I'll likely leave it here by congratulating you for finishing this classic while I'll stick to singing Kate Bush's song in the shower.

Ilse wrote: "My children were confused by spotting the recent film with the French title of 'Hurlevent' on ads, Ken - if they had read your review, they might have made the connection :). To my shame, this is o..."

Oh, I love that French title all right. Le Mot Juste, and all that! And there's no shame in not reading a classic. No matter how much we read (and GR readers read a LOT), there's no end to the "classics" list that each of us has yet to touch and probably never will. C'est la vie, is all I can say. (Actually, I can say a lot more, but the doorbell just rang and I have to hope it's not a traveling salesman or a fundraiser.)

Further to Ilse’s comment, we were in Mexico recently and saw the trailer for this new film before seeing Hamnet. I haven’t read this classic (nor Hamnet) but I guessed from what was going on that this was Wuthering Heights. The Spanish name of the film is Cumbres Borrascosas which translates to “stormy summits” or can be “tempestuous heights.” Heathcliff does seem like a jerk.

Your review is making me want to read this classic…cheers.

You know, I never bothered to know what "Wuthering" meant. It might be windy on the moors, which are worth driving around, just long tracts of hillside with shrubbery. Wild and repetitive.

I might read this again. I found it enthralling first time.

I appreciate your appreciation of Nelly! I never appreciated her as a young reader of WH and seeing her in a new way was the greatest pleasure of a later-in-life reread for me.

Sounds like a Latin telenovella without the self-awareness of its ridiculousness. I've never read this; never will.

Refreshing take, Ken. I can fully sympathise with it!

David wrote: "Further to Ilse’s comment, we were in Mexico recently and saw the trailer for this new film before seeing Hamnet. I haven’t read this classic (nor Hamnet) but I guessed from what was going on that ..."

I haven't read HAMNET either. For some reason, the premise doesn't draw me (and I'm still trying to sharpen a vague desire to reread Hamlet). Still, I like your finish and how my review encouraged you. That's great, as I worried it might do more discouraging. I was going for a clumsy ambivalence.

Nick wrote: "You know, I never bothered to know what "Wuthering" meant. It might be windy on the moors, which are worth driving around, just long tracts of hillside with shrubbery. Wild and repetitive. "

Enthralling! By God, that's the word, and probably explains why it is so loved even by readers I have great respect for on GR. Meaning, I realize my "yeah, but..." review is a product of who I have become (fate finds us a malleable clay, I fear). If you get there, good luck with the reread!

Left Coast Justin wrote: "Sounds like a Latin telenovella without the self-awareness of its ridiculousness. I've never read this; never will."

I've not seen a Latin telenovella, but I hear it's an excellent teacher if you're learning Spanish (which I should be doing as push-ups for my aging gray what's-the-matter).

Marc wrote: "Refreshing take, Ken. I can fully sympathise with it!"

Thanks, Marc. It IS refreshing to finish a book like this. As a runner, I can attest that it's similar to crossing the finish line in a race where you just weren't feeling it. Halle and lujah! you tell yourself. Now where are the coffee and doughnuts.

Great review, Ken. I just read it, too. There is a reason why we’re still reading the classics! 😉