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The prose style is definitely the work of a great writer. Why Stephanie Meyer chose Heathcliff instead is really puzzling to me. There are even touches of humor in his idiosyncratic personality. I also admire Bronte's deftly drawn, very realistic character portraits, especially in the case of the Earnshaw servant, Joseph. This, too, is part of his vengeful scheme.
The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is sketchy at best. I cannot live without my soul." Heathcliff even abuses the woman he eventually marries. This despite the fact that he's a very determined, passionately forceful character. Jane Eyre's Edward Rochester would have been a far better source of romantic inspiration for Bella. I did give it two stars though, because I have mixed feelings about it.
I have to say that my opinion of this book has changed little since I first read it, back in high school. But not by much. Catherine Earnshaw is not that endearing herself, although she never descends to the depths of evil Heathcliff seems to love wallowing in. I cannot live without my life. The author doesn't present a tale of "forbidden- love-that-wins-out-against-all-odds". This book is more the story of Heathcliff's revenge on the descendants of those who have wronged him.
When Catherine makes a fateful and totally illogical (given her love for Heathcliff) decision to marry for money, Heathcliff doesn't put up a fight, doesn't try to win her hand. What I dislike most about the book is the fact that it is NOT a love story -- not really. In fact, the total dislike I felt for it the first time has mellowed somewhat. Something kept me reading until the very end, strangely enough, and I do believe it was Bronte's masterful writing style, as well as her characterizations. Although she confesses to the housekeeper, Nelly Dean, that she (Catherine) and Heathcliff are "one", she persists in her decision, not considering for an instant the effect it might have on the man she claims to love. She is a very self-centered creature, however, as well as rather callous about other people's feelings. Nor does she present an impossible love that DOESN'T win out against all odds. No, instead, Heathcliff simply disappears for three years, then unexpectedly returns, now mulishly intent on seeing the woman he lost to a man he has always looked upon with utter contempt.
Also riveting is the way the story is told -- there is a narration within a narration. Basically, I don't like it. In this regard, this novel is a total failure. I was under the impression that a fiction writer was supposed to make the reader sympathize with his/her protagonist(s). The rather convoluted events that ensue take precedence over the so-called "love story", despite such memorable quotes as "Oh, God. To sum up, the greatest value I found in this book was the beauty of the prose style, as well as the penetrating, psychologically disturbing insights that shine through in the characters' often contradictory, self-defeating behavior. Also, he and Edward Cullen share the same first name. I consider it a masterpiece, albeit a flawed one.
And speaking of the latter, I really can't understand Bella Swan's fascination with this book, since Heathcliff is most certainly the very antithesis of Edward. This is quite evident in his behavior toward Hindley Earnshaw, for example. The story then takes a very frightening turn, as this man literally becomes an unfeeling monster -- except for his totally consuming obsession with Cathy. A love story it is not, at least not in the sense that "Romeo and Juliet", "Jane Eyre", and The Twilight Saga are.
And a nod to all goths, fantasists, Sylvia and Courtney fans who really love it. I don't feel like I have to go on about 'WH' being the pinnacle of romantic writing and the shivers it gives me, the fact that Kate Bush turned it into a hit single - cause that's not why you buy THIS. THIS is a beautiful, stylized illustrated cover that carries between in one of the best novels ever written in English. Thankyou, Ruben Toledo. If you thought this was to cool, may I also suggest The Illustrated Jane Eyre (Penguin Illustrated Classics)Dame D'arcy and Charlotte Bronte in one package.it's all too beautiful.
I especially enjoyed the add-ons at the end. Teens will find this fun and interesting.
I both love and hate this book. I've read it twice and every time it breaks my heart.It's wonderfully written and a must read for anyone that hasn't had that pleasure yet.
What. Wuthering Heights is a million times better and more important than Twilight. Seriously. They had to put a Twilight cover on this book to get people to read it. Come on. I doubt any of the characters of Twilight had anything anything close to the depth required to even comprehend this novel.
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