You know, I hated this book the first four times I picked it up. I barely got past the first few chapters. The fifth time, however, it unfolded into quite a beautiful illustration of how important it is to be a GOOD parent. Maybe it was because of raising my nephew that I watched more closely to how Mr. Earnshaw treats Heathcliff, and the enormous consequences. And in contrast, how Edgar parents his "Miss Cathy", not prolonging the problems of generations, but because of his influence, she is a better person, and at the end of the book, the chain of ugliness is broken due to her alliance with Hareton.

For me, the book is a dud as far as romance goes. There is nothing romantic, in my opinion, about selfish people. I don't think selfish/self absorbed people really know how to love. I don't see love being given by Catherine on any account. She doesn't even TRY with Edgar, wanting him to change to meet her expectations. She doesn't give comfort to Heathcliff on her deathbed - she instead gives him a guilt trip. That's NOT love, in my way of thinking. I found her absolutely appalling. I guess what I'm saying is, without a good woman, there can't ba a good romance. I think Edgar loved her, illustrated by his attempts to revive her out of depression, among other things. And Heathcliff may have loved her on the more passionate side - his way was the warrior way. But if he really loved her, would he not have treated her child with more kindness, as she would have been a part of her? So I really doubt it was so much CATHERINE that Heathcliff loved, but her status - the respect people gave her because of birth. Which he found, you cannot buy - he never learned that respect must be earned. I think too his fascination came from an unhealthy childhood - how can you love someone who shows you clearly that you aren't good enough? I think his "love" stemmed from the years of kindness she showed him as a child, even though as an adult she was the epitome of ugliness to him. One can only take abuse so long, and then it twists itself into hatred, shown by Heathcliff's desire to torment her child. This is love? This is romantic? No, if someone asks.me for a romantic novel this is not one I would hand them. Although, perhaps it would be good to give TO a selfish person, as a witness and a warning! ;)

But as a book showing the influences one generation can have on the next, and the importance of treating people with kindness, it's priceless and I love it!

I would have to say, I was fascinated by how real the characters seemed. The nastiness...I have honestly known people who approached this kind of sickness. When I read it my first thought was that these characters were based on real people. And lo and behold EB's bro was an addict and really a sick character. A bent story that turns out whole??? What do you think?