First of all, great write up! This is a great service to a new generation of would-be readers of classic literature.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! I, however, did not.
The construct of having a narrator provide a window into another narrator might have seemed cute back in the 1800's but was annoying to me. But the biggest problem with it was that MAJOR plot turns just happened with no explanation because neither of the narrators was around to witness them. I can only attribute this to lazy writing when the plot turns were inconsistent with the characters leading up to the turn. They would have had to be major, dramatic events and yet this reader was just left scratching (and shaking) his head.
Obviously, this is a classic so I must be in the minority.
Yeah that's a great point. When it comes to the plot turns, I wonder if it's less about lazy writing than intentionally letting the reader fill in some of those gaps. It could certainly just be the case that modern readers crave explanations, whereas earlier novels (even something like Candide) didn't do as much and left things a bit more open.
I agree on all counts. The only reason this immersive, cinematic, moody novel doesn't get reread by me as often as novels by Jane Austen and George Eliot (and Dickens) is that I get rather melancholy, which was, I believe, the author's point.
Am I boring? Do I repeat myself? I'm afraid I'll get thrown out of Substack for exceeding the limit of times that one person can nag people to read Middlemarch. As Virginia Woolf said, it's the only English novel written for grown ups.
Not necessarily — since it's originally in English you don't have to deal with translation differences or anything. When it comes to classics in general, I love Penguin Classics.
I read Wuthering Heights a few years ago and just didn't totally get it--despite being a fervent lover of 19th century novels. You've inspired me to try it again!!
I’m still trying to break into Dickens. After reading Oliver Twist and Great Expectations (and not particularly enjoying them, though GE I liked quite a bit more), I still feel like his writing hasn’t clicked with me yet.
Have you read others of his and have a suggestion for a good “icebreaker” to maybe open it up for me? Always willing to give a classic author a few cracks at it
I tend to recommend Oliver Twist as the first full-size novel, but A Christmas Carol is definitely my own go-to! I do think Dickens, just because of his verbosity and playful/witty language, just takes some getting used to.
Thank you for hosting this dive into the classics. My last attempt with the classics was War and Peace. I had to watch a TV production before I could go back to the novel with an understanding of what was going on.
I plan to read Wuthering Heights along with you. Wish me luck!
Adaptations can definitely help you get your bearings before reading a classic. While we're very much in an anti-spoiler culture, it can be worthwhile to even read a plot summary beforehand so that your brain can focus on the details of the story rather than trying to keep track of the plot pieces.
I read "Wuthering Heights" earlier this year as well. It was my 3rd or 4th attempt to do so ever since I DNFed it in high-school. I agree with your conclusion now, it does belong on everyone's list. It's melodramatic and rife with gloomy atmosphere. Readers looking for a pick-me-up kind of novel, should look elsewhere!
First of all, great write up! This is a great service to a new generation of would-be readers of classic literature.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! I, however, did not.
The construct of having a narrator provide a window into another narrator might have seemed cute back in the 1800's but was annoying to me. But the biggest problem with it was that MAJOR plot turns just happened with no explanation because neither of the narrators was around to witness them. I can only attribute this to lazy writing when the plot turns were inconsistent with the characters leading up to the turn. They would have had to be major, dramatic events and yet this reader was just left scratching (and shaking) his head.
Obviously, this is a classic so I must be in the minority.
Yeah that's a great point. When it comes to the plot turns, I wonder if it's less about lazy writing than intentionally letting the reader fill in some of those gaps. It could certainly just be the case that modern readers crave explanations, whereas earlier novels (even something like Candide) didn't do as much and left things a bit more open.
Fabulous idea to do “non-stuffy!” I love *your* writing btw! Excellent job on selling ‘Wuthering Heights’… hahahaha!
Thank you!
I agree on all counts. The only reason this immersive, cinematic, moody novel doesn't get reread by me as often as novels by Jane Austen and George Eliot (and Dickens) is that I get rather melancholy, which was, I believe, the author's point.
I totally get that! One of Dickens' knocks by literary critics is his sentimentality, but I love that piece of his writing haha.
I'm a huge fan of George Eliot. I can't recall if you've done Middlemarch yet.
Yes, but it was in the midst of a young baby sleepless phase of life.. haha. I definitely need to do it again when my brain is less addled.
Am I boring? Do I repeat myself? I'm afraid I'll get thrown out of Substack for exceeding the limit of times that one person can nag people to read Middlemarch. As Virginia Woolf said, it's the only English novel written for grown ups.
I can imagine that. It moves very slowly.
You might enjoy this debate, the woman who was brave enough to back Emily Brontë over Jane Austen managed to flip a lot of people to her side.
It definitely gave me a better appreciation of Wuthering Heights, which I found a bit dour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP8dllTkpEg
Oh interesting, thanks for sharing! I'll give that a watch.
I've also decided to give Dickens another go, I was heartened to hear that you had to give it a second reading, lol.
Ha, yeah. And now I can't get enough and might try to do all of Dickens novels in '25.
Thanks Jeremy, you’ve inspired me to reread this book! It’s been 20 years since the first read.
Glad to hear it! I'd love to know what you think after re-reading it.
Jeremy, is there a particular edition of Wuthering Heights you recommend? Thanks!
Not necessarily — since it's originally in English you don't have to deal with translation differences or anything. When it comes to classics in general, I love Penguin Classics.
I read Wuthering Heights a few years ago and just didn't totally get it--despite being a fervent lover of 19th century novels. You've inspired me to try it again!!
Let me know what you think if you do decide to try it out again!
I’m still trying to break into Dickens. After reading Oliver Twist and Great Expectations (and not particularly enjoying them, though GE I liked quite a bit more), I still feel like his writing hasn’t clicked with me yet.
Have you read others of his and have a suggestion for a good “icebreaker” to maybe open it up for me? Always willing to give a classic author a few cracks at it
I tend to recommend Oliver Twist as the first full-size novel, but A Christmas Carol is definitely my own go-to! I do think Dickens, just because of his verbosity and playful/witty language, just takes some getting used to.
Jeremy,
Thank you for hosting this dive into the classics. My last attempt with the classics was War and Peace. I had to watch a TV production before I could go back to the novel with an understanding of what was going on.
I plan to read Wuthering Heights along with you. Wish me luck!
Adaptations can definitely help you get your bearings before reading a classic. While we're very much in an anti-spoiler culture, it can be worthwhile to even read a plot summary beforehand so that your brain can focus on the details of the story rather than trying to keep track of the plot pieces.
I have a different take.
Anti-heroes are commonplace in modern literature, but this was not the case for preceding generations of literature.
The Shakespearean doomed love speaks more to youthful readers, but has echoed across the centuries.
The vivid, haunting description of the moors was unforgettable.
It's not a book one returns to, but there's an alchemy to the elements that maintains its place as a reader favorite.
Thanks for the comment! Ya know, I'm not sure your take is *too* different from mine, perhaps just a little more explanatory.
And I actually think it could be returned to again and again, depending on the reader! I know folks who love re-reading Wuthering Heights.
I read "Wuthering Heights" earlier this year as well. It was my 3rd or 4th attempt to do so ever since I DNFed it in high-school. I agree with your conclusion now, it does belong on everyone's list. It's melodramatic and rife with gloomy atmosphere. Readers looking for a pick-me-up kind of novel, should look elsewhere!
Ha, that is definitely true!
Classics in high school are tough — teaching them really requires a light, almost irreverent touch. And that almost never happens.