oh, heathcliff!

I did it! I FINALLY read Wuthering Heights! It only took me about 13 years. I have wanted to read this book for ages, but every time I tried to start it I just could not get into it. I finally picked up an audio version at the library a few weeks ago, and I started listening to it on my commute to and from work. At first, I found the book a little dry, and I almost gave up - but, I stuck through the first few chapters, and, sure enough, I was soon totally and completely hooked. That mysterious little gypsy child Heathcliff captured my imagination, and he wouldn't let me rest until I found out what became of him - blast him! I found myself taking the long way home from work, praying for red lights, sitting in my car in my driveway - anything to lengthen my listening time. Then I found myself reading it online (I don't actually own a copy of this book) - it was Wuthering Heights at any free moment I had. I just finished the book this weekend, and, I have to say, it's one of the best stories I've ever read. I've never read Jane Eyre, but I am sure Emily Bronte kicked her sister's butt in the story-telling department - SO good! I'm now craving either a stage or movie adaption of this story - I need to see this stuff acted out. I'll bet the BBC has an excellent version of Wuthering Heights --- I'm also willing to bet that there are some truly terrible adaptions of this book out there! I'll have to do some research.

Anyway, if you've ever found yourself picking up and putting down Wuthering Heights over and over again, do yourself a favor and get started with the audio version - it's a very captivating entry into the dark and tortured world of Heathcliff and Cathy. Next up on my audio/reading list is Anna Karenina - another classic of which I have never been able to get past the first few chapters. Let's hope Tolstoy tells as good a story as Emily Bronte did - especially since AK is about 8 million pages long.

P.S. For the record --- Heathcliff is a total monster! Who are the crazy women who always refer to him as their utmost idol of romantic manhood? I mean, really! And, also, I love Hareton Earnshaw! And Nelly Dean, too. Seriously - READ IT. So good.