"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." Love is imperfect and yet perfect in its imperfections. ( )

I had all the good intentions of writing a review for this book until I read Elizabeth’s review. She says it all and more and better! So here is a link to what I think about it – and what I hadn’t thought about it until I read from Elizabeth but now agree with her so completely that her thoughts are also my thoughts:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show.html?id=20147182&page=1

But, because Elizabeth is a bit long winded, if you are not in the mood to read it all, in this paragraph she summarizes it beautifully:

My sorrow in this book is that I cannot like it better. It is brilliant. I just don't like anyone in it. They are cruel and unusual. They are twisted and stunted like trees on the moors. They are fey. They are full of darkness, every one, even the dogs, and I was a little too pleased as each one died off as I knew it would get me closer to the end.

Also, read through the comments. Some great stuff there too.

Thanks, Elizabeth.
( )

Did not finish. I admit defeat.

This is the third time I have attempted to read this novel (spread over probably 40 years) and each new time I expected to enjoy it and banished thoughts of why I bolted and ran the last time. I look at the cover and think "this is a book that I should like" considering how much I love all things gothic. I even tried an audiobook this time, which has worked for me on other classics--eg. loved Derek Jacobi's reading of Heart of Darkness, much better than just reading it.

Don't take my word for it. I would suggest reading several reviews and go for this novel if it appears that it will appeal to you. For my personal taste, I didn't like it. I usually love gothic stories (and this exemplifies the genre), but not this one. Too bleak. Too depressing. Above all I hated the characters. I was forcing myself to keep going.

I wouldn't let my review stop you if you think you might like it. In fact, as famous and well thought of as this novel is, you probably should give it 50 to maybe 100 pages to say you at least gave it a go. ( )

Absolutely love the story, just hard to follow when reading. ( )

Really excellent. I think the frame story structure gets to be a bit much at times, but every character here is sharply drawn (maybe too sharply in Joseph's case) and Brontë brings you into their world slowly and trickily so that by the end you're completed wrapped up in it. ( )