Discussion of Wuthering Heights

Members of the forum choose and read a new book every month together, and then discuss it. You can nominate a book to be book of the month using the book's page on Bookshelves. Simply click the link that says 'Nominate for book of the month' on the left side of the book's Bookshelves page near the social sharing buttons. Don't be scared to nominate, as you can change your nomination to a different book if you think of something better.

How do you rate "Wuthering Heights"?

1 star - poor
7
12%
2 stars - okay, fair
5
8%
3 stars - good, likable
17
29%
4 stars - excellent, amazing
30
51%
 
Total votes: 59

ttuso22
Posts: 265
Joined: 23 May 2014, 15:50
Favorite Author: J.K. Rowling
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 64
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ttuso22.html
Latest Review: The Immigrant's Lament by Mois benarroch
fav_author_id: 1778

Re: Discussion of Wuthering Heights

Post by ttuso22 »

This was an interesting book. I read it because a friend recommended it to be since she said it was where the love triangle originated. I will say I enjoyed it but I definitely had to push myself to read through it. It was different than I expected and a lot more depressing. Probably wouldn't read again.
If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison
User avatar
RebekaV
Posts: 244
Joined: 29 Aug 2014, 03:27
Favorite Author: J K Rowling
Favorite Book: Jane Eyre
Currently Reading: Guardian of Deceit
Bookshelf Size: 7
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rebekav.html
Latest Review: "Memories from the Front Line" by Henry Chew, Neil Jopson

Post by RebekaV »

I read it straight after reading Jane Eyre. It was a big shock as I expected something completely different. I did not like it at first, but I think I will go back to reading it. It stayed with me and is always at the back of my mind, as if there would be things I did not understand in the first reading.
"What's coming will come and we'll just have to meet it when it does." - J K Rowling
Latest Review: "Memories from the Front Line" by Henry Chew, Neil Jopson
User avatar
dhaller
Posts: 104
Joined: 29 Jul 2015, 15:33
Currently Reading: The Moral Arc
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dhaller.html
Latest Review: "Off to See the Wizard" by Clay Johnson

Post by dhaller »

I found Heathcliffe to be beastly, and Bronte's framing devices to be confusing and inelegant.

Granted, there is a place for love and revenge stories, but I found The Count of Monte Cristo to do a better job at both.
Latest Review: "Off to See the Wizard" by Clay Johnson
User avatar
Aithne
Posts: 118
Joined: 11 Nov 2013, 22:42
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aithne.html
Latest Review: "Chains of Mist" by T.C. Metivier

Post by Aithne »

This book had a lingering sense of danger and darkness. Characters were moody, like a tempest through the landscape and there was a world ending romance, or at least it seemed that way. But, I wasn't a fan of the book of two halves and I felt some of the story lines had a Victorian way of requiring the drawing of too many genealogies to make sense.
Latest Review: "Chains of Mist" by T.C. Metivier
Amheiser
Posts: 364
Joined: 24 Sep 2013, 19:41
Currently Reading: Freedom
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amheiser.html
Latest Review: "Beginners only dance book" by Allen g darnel

Post by Amheiser »

I read this book when I was younger and I remember that I thought it was a very interesting story. After reading through the posts here I think I would like to read it again. I think I read it the first time as just a story I had to read for school and though it was interesting for me, it seems like there was more going on that I didn't realize. I'm curious to see if I would still like it.
Latest Review: "Beginners only dance book" by Allen g darnel
Sarah_Khan
Posts: 869
Joined: 27 Jan 2016, 11:56
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 3700">Gone With the Wind</a>
Currently Reading: Circe
Bookshelf Size: 336
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sarah-khan.html
Latest Review: The Formidable King by Alyssa J. Montgomery

Post by Sarah_Khan »

I've read Wuthering Heights twice. The first time I read it is when I was obsessed with reading classic books and I really disliked it. I decided to give it another chance after I heard how most people love it and see it as an epic love story. Even after reading it the second time I still do not understand why almost everyone loves this book! :P
I felt like the characters were so frustrating and selfish plus they were just creating useless problems for themselves.
User avatar
Lizann0513
Posts: 3
Joined: 27 May 2016, 10:05
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Lizann0513 »

Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books that made me fall in love with classics. I read this book when i was in middle school, which i read in a day. I couldnt put it down. Its the most well written and put you on the edge of your seat. Since middle school i have reread this book a total of 6 times and still enjoy every word i read.
User avatar
Jenna J Richardson
Posts: 5
Joined: 16 Sep 2016, 22:28
Currently Reading: Wuthering Heights
Bookshelf Size: 8

Post by Jenna J Richardson »

Wuthering Heights authored by Emily Bronte is perhaps the most enduring and most classic novel of its time, in proof continues to be legendary in its nature. Notably an issue long ensued, including in the chaotic, complex narative structure, is feminism revisited. Sin is also another theme in this book. The writing of Bronte is impressive and articulate. Her use of dialect, vast vocabulary, and descriptiveness, is supreme and poetic. Wuthering Heights begins with an introductory scene of the hearth, depicted as earry and evil. I think this symbolizes human sin and its gift of redemption of which is perfectly imperfect: that is evident of human suffering and consequence. The elaborate plot and complex characters in Wuthering Heights, Bronte uses these aa a mirror of reality in sin, which has marked the human race since biblical times. The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is remarkable at best, and resembles the stain on the sheet of immortality and eventuality that we cannot erase. Their love is one proclaimed as almost "demonic." As the novel progresses, we get a clearer indication of Catherine's brother, Hindley, who is like the evil serpent in the Garden of Eden telling Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. The "snake-like" character whispers in the ear of the ignorant and pleads Heathcliff that the love and passion for Catherine is not mutual. This causes Heathcliff to vacate Wuthering Heights at once. As in redemption to an immortal god, Heathcliff returns to the place where he was bullied and humilated by Hindley, as a rich and priveledged man. He seeks, not forgiveness but revenge of his old enemy. Wuthering Heights has an intricate plot, filled with misery, pain, and defeat; even sweet passion and burning romance. These nuanced are simply a microcosm of pain, loss, and avenge. One quick, important quote I found in this novel that summarizes this point is when the master confronts the elder, here: 'spoke the older one, "Oh, wicked, wicked!...May the Lord deliver us from evil!".' In reply, the master says, "You'll go with him to hell!...And who is to look after the horses, eh?".' Perhaps the greatest form of revenge is a successful life: I guess Heathcliff gets the last laugh. Wuthering Heights will continue to stand the test of time. If you are looking for a complex story-line, detailed descriptions, and unforgetable characters, then this book is for you. If you do not prefer proper English or "old-speak," then this is not for you. This book may seem intimidating, but once you get passed the first few chapters, you get a grasp on the language and the way they spoke back then (I had to read chapter one twice). In addition, I've found this book to be intellectually satisfying and will look forward to reading it again, repeatedly...I rate this book a 4, mainly for Bronte's rich themes and strong narrative. I would recommend this beautifully written book to anyone whom had an inclination to strong dialect, emmersive, dark, and extensive plot; it is no small wonder why this book has been read throughout the ages, most commonly read among high school English students! Many will continue to discover a new-aged plot with 19 th century speak and culture of what is Wuthering Heights.
User avatar
BelindaC
Posts: 33
Joined: 24 Sep 2017, 10:35
Bookshelf Size: 46
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-belindac.html
Latest Review: "Puffy and the Formidable Foe" by Marie Lepkowski and Ann Marie Hannon

Post by BelindaC »

This is one of the books that makes my top 10 list of favourite books. I think the biggest reason I was able to enjoy it so much was that I read this immediately after reading one of my other favourites, Pride and Prejudice. Having gone into it expecting a similarly sappy love story, I received a pleasant surprise. I think because I read such an adorably sappy romance with a happy ending right before it, it made Wuthering Heights really stand out and put its dark tone and unlikeable characters into a proper context and a different light. Instead of simply reading a book about awful people being awful to each other, I was reading it in comparison to a book where true love overcomes all and every body lives happily ever after. I therefore really loved the fact that the Heathcliff and Kathy are awful and that they don't get a happy ending because it made it really stand out and provided a very different take on the power of love that I find quite interesting to this day. I find it very deep and haunting.
Latest Review: "Puffy and the Formidable Foe" by Marie Lepkowski and Ann Marie Hannon
User avatar
Kat Berg
Posts: 776
Joined: 05 Oct 2017, 22:29
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 5">Raven's Peak</a>
Currently Reading: James Baldwin
Bookshelf Size: 223
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kat-berg.html
Latest Review: Why Am I Here by Melvin Bell
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Kat Berg »

I have tried so many times to read this novel! I just cannot get beyond the first little bit. And there it sits. On my shelf. Mocking me. I want to enjoy this book. I want to revel in the brooding moors and detest and love the abominable Heathcliff, to wish Katherine makes different choices, but I just cannot. This is the only Bronte sister whose books I do not love.
User avatar
Elizabeth Pass
Posts: 1014
Joined: 26 Mar 2018, 08:14
Favorite Book: Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1)
Currently Reading: Reign
Bookshelf Size: 126
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bb587.html
Latest Review: COVIDinners by Katie M Zeigler

Post by Elizabeth Pass »

I read this book in High School. It was a lot harder to understand and follow then than it is now. All the characters are absolutely full of themselves but that's kind of the point. Everything is so dramatic. MTV made a movie based on the book. My best friend and I've watched it several times though it's absolutely ridiculous.
User avatar
alisonedgee
Posts: 171
Joined: 19 Mar 2018, 20:30
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 15
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alisonedgee.html
Latest Review: Lemoncella Cocktail by Rene Natan

Post by alisonedgee »

dnf. tried so many times, i just can't seem to get into it.
User avatar
P Reefer
Posts: 601
Joined: 06 May 2018, 08:13
Favorite Book: The Lost Identity Casualties
Currently Reading: De Facto Feminisn
Bookshelf Size: 159
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-p-reefer.html
Latest Review: The McCoys Before The Feud by Thomas McCoy

Post by P Reefer »

Wuthering Heights is an iconic classic and a page turner at that. The reader is swept into the whirlwind romance of Catherine and Heathcliff. The novel is full of memorable lines and scenes; such as Heathcliff reclaiming of Catherine in spite of her marriage. An indelible line for me and many of my classmates at the time of reading in high school was, " I am Heathcliff."
User avatar
Britty01
Posts: 494
Joined: 26 Apr 2018, 11:04
Favorite Book: Will's Red Coat
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 80
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-britty01.html
Latest Review: Apollo's Raven by Linnea Tanner
Reading Device: B00KC6I06S

Post by Britty01 »

One of my favorite quotes is:

“My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods:
time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees.
My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath:
a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly,
I am Healthcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure,
any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”

The English moors can be dangerous if the walker is unprepared. They have often been used as a metaphor for ignorance, savagery and fear, and appeared in many a ghostly tale. I think in Wuthering Heights, Emily
uses it metaphorically for many things.

In some ways it may seem like the lives of the Bronte sisters were restrictive but in reading their books and Anne's poetry I feel they were not ignorant about life or the human condition.

Watching 'To Walk Invisible' more recently gave me some new insight into what their life might have been like.
Their brother Branwell was quite a character, though talented it appears he could not live up to his sisters. He did have an affair with a married woman which would have been quite a disgrace and source of angst for the girls. Their brother was seriously addicted to laudanum, sadly the father could not say not to him when he asked for money. I can imagine the struggle to keep the house finances going with such a drain on their resources, notwithstanding the fear of what would happen to them after the death of their menfolk.

I sometimes have wondered if the feelings for him did not come out in this novel, because of its darkness and depth of passion.
User avatar
Garden3 L4ke
Posts: 7
Joined: 17 Jun 2018, 17:42
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-garden3-l4ke.html
Latest Review: The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami

Post by Garden3 L4ke »

I have never read this book; not even in high school, which was 42 years ago. I probably never will; but I did recently read her sister's book, Jane Eyre. That took me quite a while to read, and I put it down several times but I finished by appreciating it. I do enjoy reading "old speak" as it transports me to that time as I read. I have read most of Shakespeare's plays, not revised, if that tells you anything. Anyway, every time I think of reading Wuthering Heights, I get down, so it's not for me.
I do applaud those who have read it and rated it well for it was a great work, just not for me.
Post Reply

Return to “Book of the month”