12-05-2010, 03:33 PM
(10-27-2007, 05:51 PM)paigenumber Wrote: So, we've started the list for the best 20th century Gothics. How about the Classics? I haven't read many, so I'll just start with a couple:
1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This has led to our ideal of a Gothic romance.
2. The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. The book that started the genre should not be missed.
Im with you both on Jane Eyre! Wuthering Heights is aslo very good. However im partial to Jane Eyre becuse both protagonists were genuine, one was more tormented (Rochester) but in the end they both mantained their dignity.
Wuthering Heights, although a fabulous read, was slightly irritating because Cathy and Heathcliff weren't very realistic. I understand that Heathcliff was a product of his upbringing, having been raised as an outcast in his own family (foster though it may have been). But Cathy was downright annoying! I can understand why why women all seem enamored with him because of the dark night image, but i honestly found their relationship too melodramatic to take seriously. I ended up frustrated with Heathcliff because he threw away so much potential by allowing himself to fall for Cathy, and was just plain irritated with Cathy because she seemed to be totally manipulative and spineless!
Jane Eyre remains one of my literary heroes, Rochester is harsh, yet totally charasmatic, i love him!
Frankenstein is also quite good, i want to go back and reread it because i feel like i didnt appreciate it fully the first time around.
