this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
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Got myself a lil treat today and bought the t2xpenguine publishers set.
spoiler
I actually really loved the withering heights design but I refuse to have the book in my house. So I’ve bought probably my 6th version of p&p. I’m so excited by it.
Ooh, I didn't know I needed this. Tough decision though: P&P or Sherlock Holmes?
It was a tough decision for me too. Sherlock Holmes is the only one of the 4 that I don’t own, and I did really like the design. I might have to go back for it once the month is up.
The hard split between Brontë fans and Austen fans is fascinating to me
Nothing particularly against the Brontës. If it was Jane Eyre, I’d be all over it like pash rash. It’s Withering Heights I take my umbrage with. Two of the worst characters/people doing things that really should land them in prison. They’re both emotionally, mentally and at times physically abusive to everyone around them. And it’s painted as a great love story. It’s also really fucking boring.
The Kate Bush song slaps though
Isn't that the whole point? It's a scathing criticism of the English landed gentry, and the social class structure surrounding it. It's the same kind of thing as Honglou Meng which is a criticism of noble families in feudal China.
It's framed as a love story, but I always saw that as a literary device that served as a vehicle for the completely unsympathetic characters. Honglou Meng is framed as a love story, too.
I think it's more that it's lost relevance. It was rather controversial when it was published. If you actually want a love story, there are definitely better better choices.
someone else who has read Honglou Meng 😃 I've read 3 different translations
I can appreciate it as Art while still wanting to throw the book across the room. Horrible people being horrible to each other.
I truly don’t think I can appreciate it in any way. Genuinely one of the most upsetting and bad things I’ve ever read. I slogged through it exactly because it’s so revered, but damn I did not enjoy it
Ditto. Did not enjoy either. Crap storytelling, horrible people, the film versions seem to rely on flowing capes and on figures standing on cliff edges to fill plot gaps. But it's soooo romantic .... Hogwash. Also bunkum. Don't mind Jane Eyre though or The Professor. Of all the Bronte works, I think Shirley is my favorite - quite close in quality to a minor Austen such as Northanger Abbey or Sanditon. Anne was underrated imo.
I’m with you there, I can’t see how Wuthering Heights is a love story at all, but I will occasionally reread Jane Eyre. I’m currently listening to a podcast where they read Jane Austen and discuss, one of whom has never read Austen. It’s as close as I will get to reading them for the first time again.
Ooh! What’s it called? That sounds great!
I used one of my audible credits to get this narrated/voice acted version of Austen. People in the reviews are really mad because they had to take some very minor liberties with the exact wording here and there to make it work with the audiobook format. I’ve been really enjoying experiencing them in a new way though!
Pod and Prejudice, they are on to Emma now but started with Pride and Prejudice. That audiobook looks amazing, the narrators 🥰😍
My favourite is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
That P&P design is gorgeous, a trip to the bookshop might be in order( ignore that pile of Austen over there, I NEED this one)
The design is only available with this bundle at T2! And only for this month! That’s what got me in the end. I’m a sucker for limited editions
I love the mug design!
Right? The only bad thing is it’s got gold foiling, so it can’t go in the microwave, which is terrible news for me and my habit of forgetting about hot drinks and having to reheat them.
I’m an ardent Austen fan and hate the works of all the Brontës, so I’m all here for you owning multiple versions of P&P.