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HelpRe: Heath
in reply to a message by Lily
Honestly, I associate it with Heath Ledger. Who incidentally was named Heathcliff for the character, and has a sister Catherine. I've honestly never read the book, was meant to in high school but ended up SparkNoting it cause I couldn't get through it. Just bad associations all around which is unfortunate cause I really like the sound and look of the name. :/
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Getting way OT
I loved the book. Heathcliff is impossible to approve of or really like as a person, but I was deeply touched and haunted by his passion for Catherine. The scene in which he calls for her through a broken window, in the midst of a snowstorm, years after she died, stays in my memory forever. That's why I love the book---it's unparalleled in its depiction of strong emotion. I've never read any other book that even approaches it in that regard. And when one sees Heathcliff's behavior in light of the fact that it springs from his heartbreak and frustration at the loss of the object of his devotion, he becomes a little more sympathetic. A little.
And to think that this sprung from the pen of a virginal spinster who never had a romantic attachment in her life and was miserable if she strayed more than a mile from her home on a lonely, desolate moor makes it even more fascinating. From where was she able to pull this emotion?
And another sad case of an author never knowing that he or she had written a masterpiece, just like F. Scott Fitzgerald and "The Great Gatsby" and John Kennedy Toole and "A Confederacy of Dunces."
I hope you don't mind the digression, it's just that I've stated on the Lounge that "Wuthering Heights" is my favorite classic novel, but I realize that I've never said why, so I took this opportunity.
I loved the book. Heathcliff is impossible to approve of or really like as a person, but I was deeply touched and haunted by his passion for Catherine. The scene in which he calls for her through a broken window, in the midst of a snowstorm, years after she died, stays in my memory forever. That's why I love the book---it's unparalleled in its depiction of strong emotion. I've never read any other book that even approaches it in that regard. And when one sees Heathcliff's behavior in light of the fact that it springs from his heartbreak and frustration at the loss of the object of his devotion, he becomes a little more sympathetic. A little.
And to think that this sprung from the pen of a virginal spinster who never had a romantic attachment in her life and was miserable if she strayed more than a mile from her home on a lonely, desolate moor makes it even more fascinating. From where was she able to pull this emotion?
And another sad case of an author never knowing that he or she had written a masterpiece, just like F. Scott Fitzgerald and "The Great Gatsby" and John Kennedy Toole and "A Confederacy of Dunces."
I hope you don't mind the digression, it's just that I've stated on the Lounge that "Wuthering Heights" is my favorite classic novel, but I realize that I've never said why, so I took this opportunity.
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Even though I don't really like the book I do appreciate it for a few things. I really like her writing style. She was a good writer and I wish she had written more. I don't remember exactly but I think except for the novel she only wrote a few poems/short stories with her sisters.
I also liked the feeling I got from the novel. I liked how she described the landscape, the old houses etc. The whole book was kind of gray and rainy (does that make sense?) and I liked that for some reason.
The thing is, I didn't like any of the characters. Young Cathy was kind of okay but also quite boring. I agree that the connection Heathcliff and Cathy had (old Cathy) was very powerful and I do appreciate the window scene as well, it was very emotional.
Thanks for reminding me, I always wanted to read more about the life of Emily and her sisters. I didn't know she was a spinster. I bet they've made some movies about them. That reminds me, I've wanted to read Charlotte's 'Shirley' for years. She made the name popular for girls :)
I also liked the feeling I got from the novel. I liked how she described the landscape, the old houses etc. The whole book was kind of gray and rainy (does that make sense?) and I liked that for some reason.
The thing is, I didn't like any of the characters. Young Cathy was kind of okay but also quite boring. I agree that the connection Heathcliff and Cathy had (old Cathy) was very powerful and I do appreciate the window scene as well, it was very emotional.
Thanks for reminding me, I always wanted to read more about the life of Emily and her sisters. I didn't know she was a spinster. I bet they've made some movies about them. That reminds me, I've wanted to read Charlotte's 'Shirley' for years. She made the name popular for girls :)
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The Brontë sisters are so fascinating for me. It's amazing that three such talented writers came from one family, but also tragic when you see how they all ended up. I think Charlotte was the most tragic; she lost all her siblings, and finally found some semblance of happiness in marriage, and then died while pregnant from tuberculosis or possibly hyperemesis gravidarum.
Jane Eyre was my favorite of all the books the sisters wrote, but I would have loved to read their really early work, like from their childhood and teen years. Apparently Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother wrote some of the first documented fanfiction and real person fiction about a naval hero of the time.
Jane Eyre was my favorite of all the books the sisters wrote, but I would have loved to read their really early work, like from their childhood and teen years. Apparently Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother wrote some of the first documented fanfiction and real person fiction about a naval hero of the time.
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I can't believe I still haven't read 'Jane Eyre'. I've read so many classics, but always kind of forgot about this one. I feel embarrassed now :P I wish I could find something like the imdb for books (the imdb has a watchlist and you can add the movies you want to watch). Some site where you can put books on your 'to read list' so that you don't forget about them.
I'm searching for some documentary right now. There should be one about Emily, Charlotte and Anne. Woohoo there's one on youtube :)
I'm searching for some documentary right now. There should be one about Emily, Charlotte and Anne. Woohoo there's one on youtube :)
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Ooh, I don't suppose you could send me the link to the documentary?
Also, try Goodreads.com. It's a bit like imdb, but with reader reviews and suggestions.
Also, try Goodreads.com. It's a bit like imdb, but with reader reviews and suggestions.
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I found two:
http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/bronte-doc/
(twelve parts, scroll down to view the other parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQGgl-HtrmM
(this is the same documentary, on youtube, if you prefer that)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zqi43upTqE
(a different documentary)
I don't know how good they are, I just started watching the first one. Thanks for the link!
http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/bronte-doc/
(twelve parts, scroll down to view the other parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQGgl-HtrmM
(this is the same documentary, on youtube, if you prefer that)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zqi43upTqE
(a different documentary)
I don't know how good they are, I just started watching the first one. Thanks for the link!
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