Wuthering Heights in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Mar 08, 2009 Carla rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: portuguese, own, 2010

This is one of those books I've always heard of, may it be because several adaptations were made, some even bringing the story to the present day, songs were written or simply because it's considered one of the greatest English classics ever. Despite the number of adaptations, I only knew the music by Kate Bush, which is one of my favorite songs, so I went into the book knowing little of the story but with high expectations... that were met with disappointment.

I should say that this book has lo This is one of those books I've always heard of, may it be because several adaptations were made, some even bringing the story to the present day, songs were written or simply because it's considered one of the greatest English classics ever. Despite the number of adaptations, I only knew the music by Kate Bush, which is one of my favorite songs, so I went into the book knowing little of the story but with high expectations... that were met with disappointment.

I should say that this book has long been part of my "to be read" pile of books and it would be there still if Canochinha haven't suggested it for a sort of Mini Book Club event. As the first event was interesting (as indeed all the Book Club discussions I've actively participated in), I started this one eagerly. The story begins in 1801, when Mr. Lockwood decides to lease the Thrushcross Grange and visits his landlord, Mr. Heathcliff, a resident of Wuthering Heights. There he gets to know a peculiar group with strange relationships and sees a ghost. Somewhat fascinated by all this, Lockwood decides to ask asks his housekeeper, former resident of Wuthering Heights, to tell the story.

I must start by saying that I didn't enjoy the book mainly because I couldn't relate to the main characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, not really getting what motivated them as they seem rather arrogant and spoiled, wanting everyone around them to be unhappy because they felt unhappy. This is especially noticeable with Heathcliff, as almost the entire plot focuses on him and his revenge. But the secondary characters aren't better, since a couple of them proves to be stupid and another pair is so flat I don't know if I liked them or not. Thankfully Catherine II and Hareton were nice to follow as both, in the midst of adversity, were able find something positive to cling to, not giving up under animosity and wickedness of others, and keep their minds open to love.

I also found the book devoid of feeling. I've been told this was one of the most romantic novels in literature, but I felt nothing. Even when Heathcliff says his famous words:

I cannot live without my heart, I cannot live without my soul.

I read them, but I feel no emotion behind them. I do not feel the love, the obsession everyone talks. To me they sound like words spoken without soul, as if I was watching bad actors who do not feel what they intend to show. I think this lack of feeling may be due to the author's life experience, as she seemed to be the quietest of the Brontë sisters and I think she never had a lover interest, as did Charlotte.

Despite all this, I did like the Gothic atmosphere that surrounds the action, as well as the descriptions, especially when the weather seemed to be influenced by what the characters felt. Only this way could I also feel something in the first half of the book... I liked the narration, in which you can also notice the mark of the author as she wouldn't go out much and would've been told of what was going on the region, but I also blame it for the alienation towards the main characters. Given that the story is told by Nelly, there's some bias regarding the characters and I think some prejudice and favoritism may have passed to me as the reader and recipient of this story.

Finally, it's a book that reads well, even if it took a bit to pick it up whenever it was pushed aside since I couldn't connect to the characters or the story. I found the second part of the story much more interesting but it never seems to reach a climax. All the characters get what they deserve and I think that's how they also get their happy endings. ...more

1 like · Like · see review