Reads #4: The Review…
With only a day to spare I finished Wuthering Heights.
Elizabeth Abbey…
“I first devoured Wuthering Heights back in 2003 and I honestly can’t say why I enjoyed it - but I did. It’s a very dark, bleak and somewhat depressing book which follows the doomed love affair of Cathy and Heathcliff, describing their passion, betrayal, heartbreak and eventual redemption, and how their toxic relationship affects those around them. A pinnacle of the Gothic novel genre, it’s got violence, a brooding, dark “hero” and a passionate, wilful heroine with oodles of the supernatural throughout.
Adding an extra dimension to the book for me, since reading the book I discovered that my great-grandparents once lived in Top Withins, the now derelict house on the moors above Howarth that inspired the location of Wuthering Heights!”
I Say…
Despite being yet another classic on the reading list I was looking forward to reading Wuthering Heights to see how it compared to a play I saw about a year ago.
Most adaptations focus on a tormented Heathcliff and his struggle to cope with the death of his beloved Cathy - his depression, mania, and constant visions leaving him a crippled and defeated man - whereas the book takes a very different angle.
The book focuses more on the offspring of Cathy and Heathcliff and how their struggles against the tyrant that is Heathcliff lead them from despair, depression, cruelty and illness to freedom at the death of their tormentor.
Although I enjoyed reading Wuthering Heights I’ll admit that I found this read particularly difficult. The language and structure of the book isn’t something I’m used to and I often found myself lost in the pages not really knowing what had happened. If it wasn’t for the play I’d seen previously I’m not sure I would of been able to follow the majority of the storyline.
Wuthering Heights definitely fulfils the challenge part of my reading list and at least I can say I’ve read another of the the classics - would I read it again, perhaps not, but I enjoyed it none the less.
Reads #5: Frankenstein
The last letter of my previous book, “Wuthering Heights”, is an H. Helene Hayes has been very kind and chosen the classic…
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Penguin Classics, 265 pages.
“Frankenstein” or, The Modern Prometheus was written by the 18 year old Mary Shelley and was first (anonymously) published in 1818 and later in 1823 in France with a publishing run of just 500 copies. It has since been adapted into numerous plays and films, the most recent of which was “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” in 1994.
Yet another classic added to the reading list. I, like many others, expect this book to be a gruesome and horrific tale of monsters but I’m informed its a story of love, creation and longing so I can’t wait to get stuck in and see where it takes me!
Reads #4: Wuthering Heights
First I need to apologise for the late post - with skiing and the easter break things have been a little hectic. I’ve finally written my review for “Lord of the Flies” and the last letter, of the last word, of the last page was an E.
I’ve asked a very good friend of mine from university, Elizabeth Abbey whose chosen:
Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë
Bloomsbury Classics, 292 pages.
“Wuthering Heights” is the only published book of Emily Brontë and was written between December 1845 and July 1846 and published in July of the following year. It was originally printed under the pseudonym Ellis Bell after the success of her sisters, Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre.
I’ve always being aware of “Wuthering Heights” and the works of Charlotte and Emily Brontë but it’s not a genre I’ve been keen to read. I’ve seen “Wuthering Heights” at the theatre so I’m looking forward to reading the book - I just hope I’ve left myself enough time!
Reads #3: The Review…
Thanks to my skiing holiday and lots of time spent on trains, planes and automobiles I managed to finish my current book early - “Lord of The Flies” by William Golding - recommended to me by Gwilym Owen.
Despite finishing the book early I must apologise for this late review, time just seems to have flown by recently.
Gwilym Says…
“The Lord of the Flies for me was one of those truly watershed moments in my life and a realisation of just how powerful the written word can be. It represents a coming of age and an end of innocence, both for me personally and metaphorically from the point of view of the characters in the book. As a ten year old my imagination was literally shaken awake and captured for the first time because the boys of the book were of a similar age to me and I could really relate to them. In a way it felt like I grew with them through their experiences as the book progressed, from their initial stranding on a remote island during a war and the prospect of adventure and freedom from adults, to the more sinister turns that the story takes later.”
“At the end of reading the book, I had grown up an awful lot and was older, wiser, more understanding of the world around me and what people can be capable of. In many ways I had left the first chapter of my childhood behind forever…”
I Say…
“Lord of The Flies” has been at the back of my mind for many many years. It’s a book that most people have heard of and a great many have read and I’m glad to say I’m finally one of them.
I’ve been hooked on “Lord of The Flies” since I saw the film many, many years ago and it’s a book that has divided a lot of my friends. Some seem engrossed in a story of survival, childhood and the loss of innocence while others see it as a savage and horrific tale.
Personally I loved this book and every page, every turn, every word had me gripped. I’m so glad I got to enjoy this book while on holiday as having the time to give it my full attention really helped.
It’s a story of childhood, survival, savagery and desperation and despite having some horrific scenes is a thrill ride from start to finish and to date is my favourite recommendation - thank you Gwilym!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone… whether or not you like the story it’s one you’ll find hard to forget.
Reads #2: The Review…
I’ve just finished my second book of 2012 “To Kill A Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee - recommended to me by Dave Sowerby.
Dave Says…
“To kill a mockingbird is without question my favourite book - which is saying something given how many I’ve read in my life! I think I read it when I was about 11 and I’ve loved it ever since - reading it many many times…. The primary plot of the book surrounds the trial of a black man, falsely accused of rape - he is the mockingbird of this tale - a figure of innocence.”
“The story tells not only of racism, but deeper bigotry. So, what touches me most about this book is that it is told from the view point of a child - another example of innocence lost, who questions all that she sees in what is a clearly a very prejudiced world. This view is what I try to cling on to still, we live in a world of presumptions and of closed-mindedness and I try, where ever I can to question what I see and do, not from where society has left me, but from this position of innocence and ignorance, only there can a fair judgement be reached - this is why I still adore this book”
I Say…
While I agree with Dave that this is a story of innocence in a world of hatred, racism and bigotry I’m afraid I don’t share his obvious passion and connection with the book.
At times I found “To Kill A Mocking Bird” hard to read due to the use of racist language, which I’m glad to say I’m unaccustomed to. I also found the flow of the pages difficult and it took me some time to get used to Harper Lee’s writing style.
Although the moral of the story is good I can’t say I enjoyed the subject matter and throughout the book I had a disjointed understanding of the characters and their adventures. The tree and the hidden objects, Boo Radley, Dill, the court case, always felt disconnected and I was never sure the direction the book would take.
I don’t necessarily believe this is a failing of the book or the author, more a consequence of my process as I deliberately make sure I have as little prior knowledge of the book as possible… Perhaps if I knew this story was a tale of a young girls view of the world and her journey from innocence to maturity I would of made the connection with the disjoint characters - who knows.
Despite my lack of connection with the book I’m glad I’ve had the opprotunity to read it and I did enjoy the book for the most part - I’m just not sure I’ll be reading it again and again like Dave.
