Wuthering Heights (Portland House Illustrated Classics)

I have to say that my opinion of this book has changed little since I first read it, back in high school. Basically, I don't like it. I did give it two stars though, because I have mixed feelings about it. In fact, the total dislike I felt for it the first time has mellowed somewhat. But not by much.

I consider it a masterpiece, albeit a flawed one. The prose style is definitely the work of a great writer. I also admire Bronte's deftly drawn, very realistic character portraits, especially in the case of the Earnshaw servant, Joseph. There are even touches of humor in his idiosyncratic personality.

What I dislike most about the book is the fact that it is NOT a love story -- not really. The author doesn't present a tale of "forbidden- love-that-wins-out-against-all-odds". Nor does she present an impossible love that DOESN'T win out against all odds. The relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is sketchy at best. 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. This despite the fact that he's a very determined, passionately forceful character. This is quite evident in his behavior toward Hindley Earnshaw, for example. 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.

This book is more the story of Heathcliff's revenge on the descendants of those who have wronged him. The story then takes a very frightening turn, as this man literally becomes an unfeeling monster -- except for his totally consuming obsession with Cathy. The rather convoluted events that ensue take precedence over the so-called "love story", despite such memorable quotes as "Oh, God! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!"

Heathcliff even abuses the woman he eventually marries. This, too, is part of his vengeful scheme.

Catherine Earnshaw is not that endearing herself, although she never descends to the depths of evil Heathcliff seems to love wallowing in. She is a very self-centered creature, however, as well as rather callous about other people's feelings. 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.

I was under the impression that a fiction writer was supposed to make the reader sympathize with his/her protagonist(s). In this regard, this novel is a total failure.

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. Also riveting is the way the story is told -- there is a narration within a narration.

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.

A love story it is not, at least not in the sense that "Romeo and Juliet", "Jane Eyre", and The Twilight Saga are. 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!! Jane Eyre's Edward Rochester would have been a far better source of romantic inspiration for Bella. Also, he and Edward Cullen share the same first name. Why Stephanie Meyer chose Heathcliff instead is really puzzling to me.

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. And a nod to all goths, fantasists, Sylvia and Courtney fans who really love it. 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?! Seriously? They had to put a Twilight cover on this book to get people to read it? Wuthering Heights is a million times better and more important than Twilight. Come on!
I doubt any of the characters of Twilight had anything anything close to the depth required to even comprehend this novel.