Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights is Emily Brontë's only novel. It was first published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, and a posthumous second edition was edited by her sister Charlotte. The name of the novel comes from the Yorkshire manor on the moors on which the story centres (as an adjective, wuthering is a Yorkshire word referring to turbulent weather).

The narrative tells the tale of the all-encompassing and passionate, yet thwarted, love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and how this unresolved passion eventually destroys them and many around them.

Now considered a classic of English literature, Wuthering Heights met with mixed reviews by critics when it first appeared, with many horrified by the stark depictions of mental and physical cruelty.

Though Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre was originally considered the best of the Brontë sisters' works, many subsequent critics of Wuthering Heights argued that its originality and achievement made it superior. Wuthering Heights has also given rise to many adaptations and inspired works, including films, radio, television dramatisations, a musical by Bernard J. Taylor and songs (notably the hit "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush), ballet and opera.

Source: Wikipedia ~ Wuthering Heights

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

January 2009 Discussion

Meeting:
Tuesday, January 20, 2008 ~ 6 PM
~ At Traci's home ~

Reading:
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
[ Period Fiction, Classic Romance]

Please Bring:
~ Book of the month
~ 8 Questions (below)
~ Snack to share, if you like

* * * * *
Wuthering Heights Literature Guide:
This guide has some great background on the author and time/setting of the characters in the story. This is for information only...no need to fill this out! :-)


Friday, January 2, 2009

Eight Questions

Please consider each of these 8 questions when responding to the book selections. Answer any one or all...

1. Rate the book: low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 high.

2. Write or think a 75 word response.

3. What other books have you read in this genre or on this topic? What is your favorite? How did this one compare?

4. What two characters did you enjoy the most? Why?

5. Which scene was your favorite?

6. What insight did the book give you? How can you apply anything from this book to your own life?

7. What are your favorite quotes from the book?

8. What books can we add to a future vote?