Pride and Prejudice
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Which book did you enjoy more P&P or Wuthering Heights?
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Lauren
(last edited Nov 07, 2013 06:43PM)
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Nov 07, 2013 06:40PM
I respect other people's opinions, but I'm a Wuthering Heights fan 100%. I love how unique the two parallel story lines are in Wuthering Heights. Pride and Prejudice was pretty good, but a little fluffy for my taste. Also, I found the language in Wuthering Heights much more understandable for a modern reader than Pride and Prejudice. Jane Eyre is also a happy medium of the two. It combines the grittiness from Wuthering Heights with Pride and Prejudices's happy ending.
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I love both book a lot, but if I were to live in a world it would have to Pride and Prejudice. I am a sucker for happy ending, and Mr. Darcy is my favorite!
p&p hands down. Wuthering heights is boring. I read 1/2 of it then moved on.
Pride and Prejudice....
Pride and Prejudice is a great novel. Love it!
Wuthering Heights sure was something. It was pretty confusing but I managed to follow the storyline up until the middle, then I never got around to finishing it. Pride and Prejudice on the other hand. . . BEST THING EVER! At first I kinda found Darcy infuriating, but he's now my favorite character!
Wuthering Heights by far! Favorite novel of all time. Jane Austen never seems to leave her social circles or challenge the boundaries of her culture. I'd much rather live in the world Emily Bronte creates where darker passions exist and worlds collide and boundaries are broken. Laughing at the irony here, since Emily creates this within the confines of two neighboring manses.
Definitely Pride & Prejudice. Wuthering Heights was a great book, but none of the characters were terribly likable. At least P&P is actually a love story. Elizabeth had her frustrating moments, but I did like her and Darcy overall. Cathy and Heathcliff had essentially zero good qualities, which was great to the book - the book teaches us that even true love cannot redeem you if you're a terrible person.
I like Pride and Prejudice a little more. I've only read Wuthering Heights a few times, when I was in the mode for gloomy.
I agree with some people mentioning how you can't really compare because they are so different. But for that reason, it's very easy for me to pick a favorite: Pride and Prejudice. I am much too much of a romantic to really like Wuthering Heights. WH is entirely too morbid, and yes, I can understand how some people can see that as being romantic, but it's just not to my personal taste.
Most definitely Pride and Prejudice. Though I love both, P&P just had the redemption of love and wit I love in a book. Wuthering Heights was well written, it could be depressing at time though. Now Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice are my two favourite classic literatures and I could never choose between them.
P&P, definitely
pride & prejudice hands down wuthering heights was just so confusing
I see that a lot of us have an opinion on P&P and Wuthering Heights. Well, I'm adding mine. Jane Austen captivates me. I love everyone one of her novels and I've read them all. So,I'm unable to be open-minded about making a comparison. Wuthering Heights is also wonderful! But I loved, loved, loved P&P.
I've read Pride and Prejudice several times. It's one of my favorites and a "go to" book when I need a comfort read. I have tried to read Wuthering Heights twice but can't get into it and even though I've finished it both times I read it, I couldn't tell you a thing about it. It's just not my thing.
I think if the characters in Wuthering Heights were all polite and well intended, it just wouldn't work out. Especially in such a harsh setting, they can't be like Jane's characters in P&P. Don't blame Emily Bronte for Hollywood turning WH into some great "romance", and forcing that notion upon the masses. Wuthering Heights was always so much more than that. It's an insult to the novel to label it as such.I can see why critics back in 1847 were shocked at characters like Hindley Earnshaw, Cathy, Heathcliff.....the little brat Linton Heathcliff. It's a wonderfully intriguing novel, so much depth. I can only admire and appreciate Emily Bronte for what she did for novel writing, and pushing the boundaries. Really surprised many people are still bashing Emily over her bravery, 166 years after it was published mind you.
Michael wrote: "I think if the characters in Wuthering Heights were all polite and well intended, it just wouldn't work out. Especially in such a harsh setting, they can't be like Jane's characters in P&P. Don't b..."I'm sure there might be some people who are bashing (I haven't read every comment), but I don't think you can categorize someone's comment as "bashing" if all they've done is mention that they don't like the book because of the subjectmatter or style or characters.
This is one of the reasons why in my comment, I said that it wasn't fair to compare the two - the two are so incredibly different in style and in purpose that someone who really loves P&P would not enjoy the atmosphere and harshness of WH, where someone for whom those elements were what made the book enjoyable to read, would find the politesse and gentleness of P&P and Jane Austen's world to be not to their liking.
That doesn't mean that anyone who says they don't like WH is bashing Emily, and certainly not for her bravery. Any woman writing novels at any point earlier than the 60s (if then), required an incredible amount of bravery, regardless of their subjectmatter.
My comment wasn't so much directed towards your comment Jenny, more towards the posters who say Wuthering Heights is "dreadful", "awful", "worst book I've ever read". It's an insult to the author in my mind.Everyone is an entitled to an opinion, and is more than allowed to express it, but to bash what Emily Bronte achieved in Wuthering Heights is just ignorance. I may prefer Wuthering Heights, but I can certainly find literary merit in Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Austen's wit is something unique and to be admired. I don't see why people when comparing Bronte's and Austen feel the need to bash the other.
I'm thinking this goes back to Charlotte's comments on Jane Austen.
P&P. I've always hated WH. I reread WH last year for a book group and hated it more than ever. Those people were so CRUEL to each other; don't call it love. P&P is funny and true.
First, Pride and Prejudice is my hands-down favorite. I've read WH twice--the second time to see if I had missed something, I hadn't--and it simply wasn't for me.I don't think it's bashing an author per se when someone says they thought the story was dreadful. I've read a number of books that I recognized as either well-written or conveying exactly the themes the author intended, but had a strong negative reaction to on my own part. While I'm sure it would be difficult for an author to hear their book criticized harshly, the book isn't the author and dislike of one isn't necessarily dislike of the other.
Now, what I'm really interested in is what makes one person love one book and another love the other? I'm never attracted to books with dark themes or end tragically, but I know and respect the fact that others do. I like cozy mysteries and Austenesque stories because my life has enough stress and difficulties that I don't want to borrow anyone else's. But I understand the world is made of people with many different tastes and that's why there are so many flavors of icecream and genres of books. So, I get why people love P&P, but what attracts others to darker stories like WH?
Michael wrote: I think if the characters in Wuthering Heights were all polite and well intended, it just wouldn't work out. Especially in such a harsh setting, they can't be like Jane's characters in P&P. Wuthering Heights is a great book. But in comparison to Pride and Prejudice, I have to say it loses, because I do enjoy the characters of P&P more, and I prefer books with characters I like. These characters don't have to be good people or nice, but in the characters of Wuthering Heights I just found nothing I personally found attractive. That's the difference, for me.
Michael wrote: "My comment wasn't so much directed towards your comment Jenny, more towards the posters who say Wuthering Heights is "dreadful", "awful", "worst book I've ever read". It's an insult to the author i..."Michael: I can appreciate where you're coming from, but I respectfully disagree that someone saying that something is dreadful and awful and the like is bashing. I think it's just rather colorful (perhaps inflammatory) descriptives of their feelings on the book. I think "bashing" would be more along the lines of saying that the book is not worth reading because of who wrote it, or something that has no interpretive value. If someone reads something and dislikes it, no matter how they express themselves about it, or what kind of adjective they use, I don't think it reflects on the author's personal life; just on the reader's view on that work...in some cases, some authors' works follow a particular theme or style and so some readers who find they don't like one of that author's books might decide to forgo the author entirely because of that (i.e., I personally find that Dan Brown focuses entirely too much on plot and doesn't develop his characters enough, so although I can appreciate his style and the excitement of his work, I don't much care for reading it, because I personally enjoy a book much more when the characters are well developed or when the book is character -- rather than plot -- driven), but I still would argue that this isn't "bashing."
P&P all the way!!! I couldn't stand WH... Jane Austen always wins... every time
Sue wrote: "Pride and Prejudice--without a doubt"HAHAHA!!! I sooo agree!!! Kathy was just a stupid character
Isn't that rather like chalk and cheese?! I love P&P but WH has a lot going for it in terms of structure and wild experimentation, so it's a more interesting book in some ways. However interesting isn't always what you want, particularly if it doesn't quite work.Has anyone read Villette by Charlotte Bronte? It's brilliant.
Janet Mullany
Janet wrote: "Isn't that rather like chalk and cheese?! I love P&P but WH has a lot going for it in terms of structure and wild experimentation, so it's a more interesting book in some ways. However interesting ..."I agree with you Janet. Villete is actually on my "to read" list, although I haven't gotten to it yet.
I have read that Wuthering Heights was a break through novel at the time it was written. The novel's raw depiction of strong emotions and passionate dialogue were considered pornography. What was considered even more shocking was that it was written by a woman.Pride and Prejudice is an excellent novel, clever and witty, but it did not grab my imagination. Wuthering Heights is on my top ten list.
They are both masterpieces but my vote goes to Wuthering Heights.
Fair point Jenny, I see where you're coming from, and maybe I got a bit carried away.It's just for me Wuthering Heights is such an important novel, and it makes me cringe to read people bashing the novel, which if you are a fan of literature almost demands respect for how ahead of its time it was and how well crafted it is. But it would be a boring world if we all agreed on the same things I guess. Just my two cents.
I absolutely loved Wuthering Heights much more than Pride and Prejudice.
I enjoyed both books a lot but Wuthering Heights was my favorite. I just think the bond between Catherine and Heathcliff is much stronger and more enjoyable to read as opposed to Elizabeth and Darcy. I think there are so many powerful quotes in Wuthering Heights that makes the book amazing, "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same".
Definitely Pride and Prejudice. I loved the sharp wit. Wuthering Heights is a bit dark and depressing for me.
It's hard to compare and decide, because both are great books but, I really love more P&P (yeah! It's because of Darcy) I think I don't totally love Wuthering Heights because I identify a lot with Cathy, and thats weird. So, I keep with P&P
P&P is a comfort novel, an old friend. Wuthering Heights is designed more to make people uncomfortable, to question things. So I love P&P, while I admire WH.
Pride and Prejudice. It has soemthing relatable in it. Brilliantly written.
P&P of course. I agree that WH is really quite gloomy. An apples and oranges comparison to me.
They are both completely different and serve different purposes and needs, and I love them both. However, Wuthering Heights I've reread a couple of times only, and Pride and Prejudice I could read again and again and find myself living by (and quoting) in daily life. Wuthering Heights is just powerful and sad. Both great but just different.
Jeanie wrote: "First, Pride and Prejudice is my hands-down favorite. I've read WH twice--the second time to see if I had missed something, I hadn't--and it simply wasn't for me.I don't think it's bashing an au..."
I can't speak for all WH fans, but for me at least, I like it because it's challenging. Not in a language hard to read kind of way. But on an emotional level.
In popular media, the protagonist is almost always someone either sympathetic or at least likable/relatable. You never see an outward jerk without redeeming qualities be the lead. So in a sense I guess I found WH kind of refreshing in that respect. It's kind of like a train wreck. You know the events happening are quite awful, but you're just entranced by it nonetheless.
WH tells you straight away that the recollections are biased and that the narrator is most likely exaggerated their faults and perhaps overlooking their virtues a tad. It challenges you to figure out the characters for yourself, discern the gossip from the truth.
Is Heathcliff really a horrible asshole? Or is it just the prejudice the narrator has for him painting him in that light?
He's no doubt a rouge and quite a broody dark character. Stubborn, vengeful and angry. But he is capable of such intense passionate (perhaps unhealthy) love that maybe he has a heart after all. Society sees him as a "gypsy." Maybe he's just trying to live up to their expectations? Who knows?
The characters are all somewhat ambiguous like that, unlikable to be sure. But you can kind of have fun shaping them yourself as well.
Plus, I just like darker things in general. Always been attracted to stuff like vampires and the like. *shrugs*
Jane Austen, who I very much respect, is just a tad too clean for me. I like grit and blood and harshness. If I want an escapist read I'll read Fantasy, but then I can't really take rom com or romance in written form. I need to watch it, soak up the silly melodrama and gush at the hunk of spunks on screen. Reading about it is a bit too lovey dovey gushy- ness for me to handle.
Pride and Prejudice -- I say that ONLY because you specifically said ENJOY. P&P was made to be enjoyed because of its humor, delight, and of course, happy ending. WH was dark and twisted, and it challenges the darker side of passion, which is why I loved it too. I didn't enjoy it, but I loved it. Meanwhile, P&P's perfection just ruined my sense of reality, and now I shall die an old maid. A happy, P&P-flipping old maid.
Pride and prejudice - but I have to say it is very close, I love both books.I loved the gothic aspects of wuthering heights and became really attached to Heathcliff, however I didn't warm to Cathy as I did Elizabeth which is why I think Austen pips it. That and the fact that Mrs. Bennet is perhaps one of my favourite characters where comedy is concerned.
I don't think it's fair to compare the two since the style are soo different... Wuthering Heights is much more gothic literature and Pride & Prejudice is more romantic literature. I prefer Jane's style so I'd say Pride & Prejudice, but thats just me.
P&P ahead of Wuthering Heights, for me.
Wuthering Heights was very funny, I personally found it just as funny as P&P, but it's different humour. If you find Shakespeare's witty insults and putdowns funny , then you will appreciate the humour scattered throughout Wuthering Heights. The only thing is for me is Wuthering Heights has been wrongly pigeonholed, especially by its own fan base. Most of the fan base of Wuthering Heights like it for surface aspects. And that's why things such as "tragic romance" and "gothic literature" will always be discussed. Hardly anyone will discuss the humour, nor want to acknowledge it even has humour.
I would probably say that Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters have very different writing styles, so I wouldn't really draw a comparison between them, myself. But I would say I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice more however I was very young when I read Wuthering Heights and I intend to read it again and hopefully get more from it now that I'm older and can appreciate more.
Yeah, I thought Wuthering Heights was very funny. I think most people miss it on the first couple of reads. A big flaw with every movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights I've seen is they forget that Emily Bronte had a sense of humour, and it wasn't all doom and gloom in the book. There were jokes, wit, funny insults and observations. I'm not saying Wuthering Heights is a comedy, it's certainly tragic and bleak, but there's so much more to it than that. That's why I think fans of Wuthering Heights tend to underrate it, when they ignore all the other aspects.
Michael wrote: "Wuthering Heights was very funny, I personally found it just as funny as P&P, but it's different humour. If you find Shakespeare's witty insults and putdowns funny , then you will appreciate the hu..."OMG I thought I just had a weird morbid sense of humor! Thank God the humor was intentional. lol!
I like both, for different reasons. Pride and Prejudice is a romance, with a happy ending. Wuthering Heights is a tragedy, with dark themes. I like P & P better, but IMO both have merit.
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