Kim's list

[[deleted user]]

Just let me know. :)

I read it when I was 14 and thought it was soooo romantic. But, now I see how manipulative Cathy was, what a weakling Linton was, and what an all-around baddie Heathcliff was. So, the romance part fell away, but the story of these "messed-up" people is still good.

[Jemidar]

I think I was 18 or 10 when I first read it and thought it was terribly romantic but over thirty years on and after a couple of relationships with total control freaks I'm willing to bet I think Heathcliff is a creepy stalker!

[[deleted user]]

I think Cathy was the worst of the two.

[[deleted user]]

Well if we can complain about it, I might have to read it with you! Glutton for punishment that I am. I might even learn to love it. (HA!) ((Next thing you know y'all will be convincing me to re-read Tess of the Durbervilles...))

[Kim]

Hayes wrote: "((Next thing you know y'all will be convincing me to re-read Tess of the Durbervilles...)) ..."

I'm working my way up (or down) to Tess, Hayes. I'll let you know when I'm ready to tackle her and maybe we can suffer together!

[[deleted user]]

Oh lordy lordy lordy... My mother is a-spinning in her grave! (She hated Tess too.) But I do feel that I didn't give it a very good chance in high school, so I am quite willing to try again.

[Jemidar]

Sorry, I'm going to have to pike on Tess. There is no way I could ever go through that again!!

[[deleted user]]

I may regret trying again, but at least I'll know that I gave it my best shot. I have a few vivid memories from that book lodged in my brain, so the writing must have had some merit.

[[deleted user]]

I'll be a piker on Tess, too. I am opposed to Hardy on general principles.

I'm not claiming any of you ladies will love Heathcliff, but you might get something different out of the story this time around. It's not a love story, or romantic, as it tends to be cast. But, I find it a really interesting story about human emotions taken to extreme ends.

Hayes -- I'm halfway through Death at Venice, and I really like Mann's writing!

[Jemidar]

I'm just opposed to Hardy. I find him depressing.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Jeannette wrote: "I think Cathy was the worst of the two."

I totally agree, I thought it was just me. It just seemed she liked to see how far she could push Heathcliff and play off Linton. The extreme of human emotions is the compelling pull of this read for me too. The way she writes it pulling you in, and the moors almost become a character themselves.

[[deleted user]]

I feel a re-read coming up. I've discussed this book so much over the past couple of years, I could swear I read it recently. But, my (pathetic) review is from 2009.

Edit: I agree with your assessment, Dawn. I just can't find the words to express myself properly this evening.

[Jemidar]

Oh yes, I'm sure I'll want to slap Cathy as well as get a restraining order on Heathcliff!

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Slapping Cathy would be kind, she aggravates me so much. Heathcliff is the prototype brooding, act before thinking, revenge oriented male. I hurt so shall everyone else and off on his rampage he goes.

[Kim]

I've started buddy-reading du Maurier's Mary Anne with Jemidar. While it's not on the list I initially posted, it will count towards the challenge. When I finish either it or Tomato Rhapsody: A Novel of Love, Lust, and Forbidden Fruit, I will have reached Pike's Peak.

[Jemidar]

Well done! Mt Vancouver, here you come :-).

[[deleted user]]

We knew you could do it!

[Kim]

Thank you, ladies. *bows*

[[deleted user]]

Brava!!

[Kim]

Grazie, cara!

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Congrats Kim on moving on up!