Wuthering Heights - Chapter I-XIV

[Alana]

Discuss the first 14 chapters here.

[♪ Kim N]

This is a book that stirs strong feelings (like or dislike). Looking forward to the discussion.

[Irene]

I read this about 2 years ago. Although I am not a fan of the 19th century British romance, this one pleasantly surprised me with its darker nature. It was far more psychologically complex than the usual pretty, smart girl gets handsome, rich boy.

[Mike]

Irene wrote: "I read this about 2 years ago. Although I am not a fan of the 19th century British romance, this one pleasantly surprised me with its darker nature. It was far more psychologically complex..."

As usual, I am with you on that analysis Irene. Considering the context of when and by whom it was written, the book is an absolute gem in its originality. Dark, moody, atmospheric & the very epitome of Gothic!

[Teresa]

I'm just about to start reading it for the second time. I remember liking it in high school, but that was so long ago.

[Alana]

I finally got my audio in from the library! I'll be diving in as soon as I'm done with the Iliad (which will hopefully be today or tomorrow).

[Alana]

Sorry guys, I just realized I didn't break this down into sections very well. I didn't have a copy of the book in front of me when I picked the chapters, just guessed based on Sparknotes breakdowns. Oh well, hopefully that first section won't be so long on the next book!

[Alana]

I'm up through Chapter VI and while the narration is interesting, I feel like I need a graphic to show me how all of these people are related to each other. If I understand it correctly, the narration by Nelly involves the elder Mr. Earnshaw and his daughter, Cathy, plus the child he takes in, Heathcliff. The younger Cathy, who is his DIL, has not yet entered Nelly's tale (I presume because it's many years before she's born?)

Gets confusing when cousins marry cousins, too....

Also, what's up with this original narrator that's renting from Heathcliff? Is it common to just drop in on your landlord at that time without warning and just make yourself at home? He seems rather presumptuous, but maybe I'm misunderstanding the culture of the time? Either way, he seems rather easily affronted (sorry, if the dogs don't like you, you're probably not a great guy!)

[Alana]

So Nelly is the primary narrator here, which I like, as she's a much more pleasant character. However, we're definitely getting a level of unreliable narrator. Though I like Nelly, she's remembering details from decades ago, telling them to a stranger who's just moved in, and we're hearing it from his perspective. While Nelly was there for most of these events, it's still quite removed from the original happenings, which gives the story that much more of an air of the mysterious and ghostly. I can't help but love the Gothic nature of it, though :)

[Teresa]

Alana wrote: "Sorry guys, I just realized I didn't break this down into sections very well. I didn't have a copy of the book in front of me when I picked the chapters, just guessed based on Sparknotes breakdowns..."

I'm struggling with this as well... I remember enjoying it 40 years ago!

[Alana]

It's dragging a bit by chapter 13, but the story is still interesting. I don't know how they call this a love story though. More like the most dysfunctional collection of abusive relationships ever....

If Heathcliff lived today, he'd be the guy shooting places. He's completely deranged!

[♪ Kim N]

Definitely not a love story... more like obsession.

[Mike]

♪ Kim wrote: "Definitely not a love story... more like obsession."
I think both you & Alana have hit on the popularity of the novel. In the context of when it was written and by whom it was written, the story is quite original and perhaps mirrors real life better than lessor more fanciful works.

[♪ Kim N]

Mike wrote: "... the story is quite original and perhaps mirrors real life better than lessor more fanciful works."

Yes, that's exactly it's appeal to me. When the expectation of romance is removed, the story becomes a sweeping tragedy full of uncomfortably intense characters.

[Alana]

Oh, I'm quite liking it. I just don't see it as a romance. It's actually quite terrifying as a "real life" situation!

[♪ Kim N]

I think the perception that Wuthering Heights is a love story may come from the 1939 movie with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. I remember reading the book after seeing that movie and being shocked to find that I'd completely mischaracterized it!

[Mike]

♪ Kim wrote: "Yes, that's exactly it's appeal to me. When the expectation of romance is removed..."

What a great description...

[Teresa]

I think the movie missed the mark and my naive teenage self didn't see the toxicity of their relationship. I'm actually switching to a different book for a little bit. I've been in an abusive relationship and Heathcliff is giving me flashbacks.

[Alana]

Teresa wrote: "I think the movie missed the mark and my naive teenage self didn't see the toxicity of their relationship. I'm actually switching to a different book for a little bit. I've been in an abusive relat..."

I don't blame you! This one is certainly enough to twist the mind!

[Renee]

I'm just getting around to this one now, but since I finished chapter 14 last night I'd like to post my thoughts so far. The 1939 Laurence Olivier/Merle Oberon movie is one of my favourites. I had heard the book was very different, but had not read it until now. How different it is! Although the characters in the movie are not the most likeable, the movie made it out to be a tragic romance, which worked well I think.

The main characters in the book are pretty much all detestable. Heathcliff is a monster! I don't think I would classify this as a love story. Like others have said, they are more obsessed than in love with each other. The way they treat the people around them makes them (with the exception of a few A Song of Ice and Fire characters) probably my most hated characters so far. That being said, I am enjoying the book. Every chapter seems to bring something new to their characters that usually is not a positive. I don't feel sorry for them, pity them, I just can't bring myself to care much about them at all. I can definitely see this as a tragic story, but not a tragic love story. Do they even know what love is I wonder? They both seem obsessed with the other, Heathcliff probably more than Cathy.

What the book has that the movie didn't are all of their children. Considering their parents, I'm curious to see how they grow up and turn into who they are in the beginning of the book (if it's included). I guess a book doesn't have to have nice characters to be a good book because I am enjoying it and can't wait to finish it.