Deceived by Other Reviews!

How can anyone who has read Jane Eyre (or ANY other Bronte novel for that matter) call this depressing tale of a group of petty, misguided, abusive, intolerent and hostile people "the greatest love story ever"? I am confused. Maybe its because these people are more "realistic" in their view? I have no idea, what I do know is that I felt little or no compassion in my heart for anyone in this tale as they all came off as ugly, petty and self centered. I have no idea what the literary powers that be proclaim about the book, I am sure it is adored for its bleak outlook on 18th century life but I think a book can be bleak and still give us sympathetic characters we can actually like. This one failed miserably and should more accurately be described as "what can happen if you are black hearted and evil, or a selfish petulant brat with ill luck and think you know what love is".

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Wuthering Depths

This is one of those classics I was never able to get very far into. The first time I got the whole gist of the story was watching the Olivier-Oberon film some time back, which surprised me with how much I disliked every single soul in the story.

Last year I finally got determined to crack the shell of this thing and listen to the audiobook. Heck, I thought, I listened to one of my most-hated-books-ever, Tess of the Durbervilles, and ended up appreciating it; surely it would work with Wuthering Heights.

Or not.

Which is nothing against the narrator. Anne Flosnik was the only good thing about the experience: she was excellent.

But the book made me want to bang my head against a wall until it was over. I am glad I finally completed it. It's a good thing to have under my belt. But the one-word review I posted when I was done was, quite simply, "Phew". it was my expression of amazement at how awful it was - and, more, my relief at being through. Put it this way: there was a very high body count in this book – it was one grim death after another. But I didn't mind so much in WH because, as in the long-ago-seen movie, I hated every single character. They were either so weak that a mouse sneeze would knock them over, or strong in the way that a serial killing psychopath is strong. So there was me listening to the book thinking “Yes! Die! Die! Die!”

I honestly don't know if I've read and enjoyed a book where I've been unable to like anyone involved. And here it was beyond simply not liking anyone – this was a pulsating loathing. I don't know if I'd be able to like this one even if some of the characters were more amiable – there was another big factor in my loathing of this book: the utterly impenetrable dialect. Now, I can usually manage accents, especially British accents of all types. I love 'em. But my lord. A random sample that I pulled out: 'Ony books that yah leave, I shall tak' into th' hahse,' said Joseph, 'and it'll be mitch if yah find 'em agean; soa, yah may plase yerseln!' On paper, I can read that without such a problem. Aloud? It might as well have been Bantu.

Kind of thought it might be now and then.

But no. Hateful characters and impenetrable accents aside, this thing was just so unremittingly bleak, so grim and ugly … Heathcliff hanged Isabella’s dog. As a warning. And now if someone could explain to me why he’s considered (from Wikipedia): “an archetype of the tortured romantic hero”...

“Romantic hero”.

There is more to the word “romantic” than the common usage. I know that. What frightens me is the people who don’t know that, and still call Heathcliff a romantic hero. I would as soon call Ted Bundy a romantic hero.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

5 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Complete and utter sorrow

I loved this audio book from the very first sentence. The speaker held my attention throughout the entire novel. To feel Heathcliffe and Catherine's pain in every word. It was fantastic to see in the end how their relationship would have been in a better world through Catherine and Hinton. I think that is what eventualy made peace in Heathcliffe's heart. It was a wonderful foil to have the daughter of Catherine and the son of Heathcliffe the exact opposite of themselves. Catherine was so weak and Heathcliffe was so strong. I will listen to this audio book more than once. It was fantastic.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Moody, broody Heathcliff!

What made the experience of listening to Wuthering Heights the most enjoyable?

I love the overall atmosphere of this story. It's quite different from the original Laurence Olivier-Merle Oberon movie. ( I haven't seen the latest reincarnation.) Cathy Earnshaw is not in half of the book and new characters that I didn't know come to life.

What other book might you compare Wuthering Heights to and why?

I compare this to Dracula as a mood piece. Even though one is much more paranormal, this book has it's share of weird goings on.

What does Anne Flosnik bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is quite good at the accents. My only problem is her Heathcliff was a bit of a dullard, only complaint. She does a wonderful Nellie Deane and Joseph.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cry during the movie every time I see it. This book didn't make me cry so it didn't have the same impact on me. Wonderful story though.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Great classic doesn't convert well.

I'm not sure of it was the narrator or just the book itself, but though I really love this book and have read it several times, I didn't enjoy the audio that much.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Brooding and Dark

I read before as a teenager and thought Heathcliffe was misunderstood and mistreated. A dark, brooding, romantic hero. I had forgotten how horrible and cruel he becomes.

This book was a fun surprise. It is dark and gothic - the eeriness of the atmosphere and depth of characters is delicious.

Anne Flosnik's narration was wonderful.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Not what I expected

For being called a classic and a must read by many, it was not quite what I expected. At least as far as the story is concerned. I didn't feel like it was really a love story. Yes, there were some parts about love, but to me it seemed more a story of hate and revenge for being supposedly denied the love long wished for. Quite frankly I think both Heathcliff and Catharine were being petty and foolish. Heathcliff especially. He goes around blaming others for the consequences of the choices he makes. That just isn't right. I did not sympathize with him at all. Nor Catherine or any of the other characters. Maybe it's just my own taste and view of what love is. But like I said, this story is more centered around hate and revenge than it is love. At least now I can say that I have listened to one more classic.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Wuthering Heights

What disappointed you about Wuthering Heights?

I did not enjoy the audible. The book is a great story, intense emotions, dramatic, dark. the recording was very easy to understand every word, but the emotion was lacking. also i would have preferred a man's voice tell this story, after all, it is told by a male guest at the home of Heathcliff.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wuthering Heights?

the emotional intensity between Heathcliff and Catherine--that they did not openly admit to each other when they should have. as a result there was a lot of pain and suffering.

What didn’t you like about Anne Flosnik’s performance?

the emotion was lacking. Her voice was nice. the story is not. it is dark, with hostile moments.it needs to be read with fire, and in a strong, gruff voice

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Good for you like spinach.

The story line is the first and a classic. A soap opera for it's day. Despite this, the writing is melodramatic and the character development is over dramatic but not very deep. One can go through the abnormal psychology book and list diagnosis for the characters. The audio is fine, not great but fine. I am pleased I purchased it, in the same vain as eating my spinach. I believe I did or accomplished something good --good for me to have been exposed too.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Wowwie

I cannot believe this story for 8-17 ages.
wow read this book and annotated like crazy trying to understand the story and how it comes together.

highly recommend for middle school and high schoolers for free or prescribed reading.

Hai valutato questa recensione!

Hai segnalato questa recensione!