Concerned about next week's radio 4 adaptation of Wuthering Heights

[ItrustAdrianlearnshislesson]

I am worried it may be trans exclusive.....

Lydia isn't punished in the book, but I bet a marriage to Wickham isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I like how in the TV adaptation they show him already getting bored of her.

Never mind Heathcliffe, surely Hareton is the hero of WH? Everyone always seems to forget about the second half of the book.

Bingo! Hareton is the hero of WH. He has an abusive and damaging childhood but transcends it all to not only win the girl, but inherit everything too.

I first read WH as a teenager where I was blown away by the intense and passionate love story between Cathy and Heathcliff. It's only when you read it as an adult that you realise how wrong and unhealthy the (possibly incestuous) relationship is between the two of them. Heathcliff was never really written to be a romantic hero (sorry, off topic).

Also there's never really been a good (or completely faithful) adaption of WH, especially that one with the goblin Tom Hardy as Heathcliff.

Oh I like the Tom Hardy Heathcliff; scintilating chemistry between him and Cathy (his wife I believe).

YY to Angel Clare being an absolute prick. I like Thomas Hardy though; I think he's quite ahead of his time.

I didn’t find heathcliff a romantic hero as a teen. He seemed damaged. I’m not alone in thinking quietlytorturing animals is heroic surely?
Also I never felt that the relationship between him and Cathy was properly set up in the beginning of the book.
I’ll be interested to see what my impressions are 35 years later.

I liked Hareton though.

My first exposure to WH was age 6 or 7 when our teacher inexplicably decided it would be a good read for our class. She got as far as Cathy’s ghost rattling the window panes and noticed we were all weeping with terror. Not sure what was next on the reading list but I had nightmares for a long time. Years later bumping into someone else from that class we immediately started talking about the horror of having that book inflicted on us.

So I didn’t read it until I was in my 20’s but can’t say I like it, I don’t see an abusive psychopath who likes torturing animals and anyone else he can have power over as a romantic character. It’s a warning. Grim and depressing. Not sure I’ll listen.

WH read out loud to year 2s!

Sorry, it sounds traumatic, but good grief, what was your teacher thinking! What did she try next, The Shining?

What was the next book planned for the class, A Clockwork Orange? Not the best judgement ever, that teacher.

Gas Pode & Angry Attack

It was in the 60’s, not so much oversight of teachers then. I think she was a sad war widow, we got plenty of war reminiscences especially at anniversary times.
I should be scarred for life!

I really can’t remember what other reading we did in that class.

I’m not alone in thinking quietlytorturing animals is heroic surely?

Is that Heathcliffe? I just remember Hareton hanging puppies.Isabella when she runs away knocks down Hareton, "who was hanging a litter of puppies from a chairback in the doorway”

@LassWiADelicateAir Heathcliff hangs Isabella's dog. We found it most amusing in English Literature (as only a bunch of 18yr olds would when a teacher makes a mistake) because the teacher thought it was Isabella's maid that Heathcliff had strung up.

Oh yes, Becky Sharpe would make mincemeat out of the lot of them nauticant. Love her

Thanks Pavlova. It is a long time since I read it. I used to do a version of "counting sheep" on it involving putting all the births, marriages and deaths in chronological order. It always worked but I can't remember them now.

It’s my favorite book I’ve never got so lost in a book. I can remember reading it on a hot Med beach in August and feeling I was transported to the wild Yorkshire Moors

I was about 19 and yes I did think it was romantic but read it again a few years later and saw it very differently and have since read it again

He was never written as a romantic hero the book is about the darker side of human nature and how love, passion, greed, lust, jealousy emotions we all feel to some degree

@Enthusiasm I still remember the chill I felt along the back of my neck when I read Heathcliff’s death, the scene when he is found...it’s just terrifying. I was completely transported there. I’ve not reread it for a while, may have to pick it up when I’m on holiday next week!

Emily B was so very very young........

I read it trying to be what the author wanted me to be IYSWIM.

My after exam reading was a pile of historical romances by Georgette Heyer, not least because they were amusing and well researched. Does anyone still read them?

I haven't read Georgette Heyer. Which would you recommend?

I enjoyed Susan Howatch's Penmarric and Cashelmara

Kathleen Winsor's Forever Amber is a joy to read.

Gosh, haven’t read them in 30 odd years - perhaps time for a re-read. The Grand Sophy is one that sticks in my mind and an Infamous Army is a cracking novel about Waterloo, which was quite widely praised, I think.

I used to love WH as a passionate teen, but can't stand Cathy or Heathcliffe now.

Still adore Mr Darcy. Hareton is alright. I detest Angel.

Overlooked heroes who are decent chaps throughout to the leading ladies are Henry Tilney from Northanger Abbey and Lord Orville from Evelina.

I do have a soft spot for Tom Jones as well.

I find something about Colonel Brandon a bit off, like he is getting fatherly-type feelings confused with romantic-type feelings.

Agree entirely about Angel Clare, Ereshkigal. What a fucking dick he is. Pah.

Also agree with everyone re Captain Wentworth. Also has one of the most romantic lines ever: "I burn for you".

Angel Clare is simply a weasel. I have to admit though possibly worse than Heathcliffe I had a real passion for Robert Lovelace.

Persuasion really resonates with me. That sad sick feeling when you know you have blown it and you just have to watch him move on. And then that utter joy when you realise that after all he still feels the same. God I just love it. Time for a reread I think.

Angel Clare is the Worst. I get angry just hearing the name.

Great discussion of Jane Eyre now on Beyond Belief on R4