48. Wuthering Heights 49. The Bell Jar
I'm not going to go into huge detail on these to, because they're both re-reads, and both reading ahead of time for next term.
Both are books I read a few years ago, I think Wuthering Heights was maybe a year and a half ago, and The Bell Jar two, maybe three?
What I found most interesting is the way in which my own reactions to the books have changed.
With Wuthering Heights, while I still wanted to hit most of the characters for the duration of the novel, I also found myself appreciating the novel as a social commentary, or seeing how it links in with various Victorian views and events. (Especially Heathcliff as a class comentary, or in reference to the Education Reform.)
When I first read The Bell Jar, so much of my own thoughts echoed Esther's. The images, her views on men, her future and her having to face up to the real world as opposed to the world contained by education. But now, the oddness, and astuteness of Plath's images come to the fore. And I can see more clearly just how distorted Esther's views are. (I don't know what that says about me before, to be honest.)
But yes. I am one book away from completing my aim. I couldn't be happier. I might treat myself and read The Picture of Dorian Gray, instead of Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.
Merry Christmas!
Both are books I read a few years ago, I think Wuthering Heights was maybe a year and a half ago, and The Bell Jar two, maybe three?
What I found most interesting is the way in which my own reactions to the books have changed.
With Wuthering Heights, while I still wanted to hit most of the characters for the duration of the novel, I also found myself appreciating the novel as a social commentary, or seeing how it links in with various Victorian views and events. (Especially Heathcliff as a class comentary, or in reference to the Education Reform.)
When I first read The Bell Jar, so much of my own thoughts echoed Esther's. The images, her views on men, her future and her having to face up to the real world as opposed to the world contained by education. But now, the oddness, and astuteness of Plath's images come to the fore. And I can see more clearly just how distorted Esther's views are. (I don't know what that says about me before, to be honest.)
But yes. I am one book away from completing my aim. I couldn't be happier. I might treat myself and read The Picture of Dorian Gray, instead of Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.
Merry Christmas!