Heathcliff: romantic hero?

Until this month, I had never read Wuthering Heights. As a matter of fact, until Valentine's Day, I had never seen the movie. (except for the scene where Cathy dies...hasn't everyone seen that?) I was always a Jane Eyre girl rather than a Wuthering Heights girl. Jane and Mr. Rochester always seemed far more interesting and romantic than all the heaving passion that Cathy and Heathcliff seemed to offer.

When I got my Kindle, one of the things I downloaded was the Complete Works of the Brontes. I had been told by other admirers of Charlotte Bronte that I would really enjoy Villette, so I splurged about a buck and a half and got the works. So, having an actual copy of WH in my hands, I figured, why not read it?

I remain unimpressed. In my opinion, WH doesn't hold a candle to JE. And honestly? I am flabbergasted that Heathcliff should be considered any kind of a romantic ideal. He is self-centered, vindictive and charmless. He is deliberately cruel to people and animals. Cathy is narcissistic as well, in addition to being obviously mentally ill. Sure, I get the "tragedy" of their respective social statuses and their love story, but I find it impossible to care about either of such unlikeable characters.

The movie sugarcoats some of Heathcliff's most blatant faults, creating a marginally more sympathetic character. And having a very attractive Laurence Olivier in the role makes him easy on the eyes, but even in the nicer version of the story, I found both Cathy and Heathcliff all angsty and tragic and really, really tiresome.The over-the-top emoting reminded of a singer I really like who had one thing to say about the two of them: "Get therapy!!"

I remain a devoted fan of Jane Eyre. Give me my mad women locked up in the attic, not bemoaning their own stupid decisions, and my romantic heroes sarcastic, intelligent and somewhat immoral, not vindictive, cruel and whining.

Snuggle with me: part 2

Hmmm, apparently bedding isn't as exciting as heart problems... oh well.

So, I have a split vote on the duvet cover, but I think I am leaning toward the
Sophia print. The brightness seems like a happy touch in a dark, cold winter, which of course is when it will be on the bed. The only problem with Pottery Barn is they don't ship to Canada, so I will have to send it to my sister and figure out what to do then.

Actually, the duvet, although something I have wanted for a while, isn't my most urgent need. One of the benefits of a new puppy in the house is the "re-decorating" they do for us. Kira decided that the summer quilt needed a true Shabby Chic look, and chewed up one of the corners. We put the quilt from the boat on for the rest of our very mild fall, but that will need to go back to the boat in May (and lighthouses are not really the motif I want for the bedroom), so I need a new quilt.

Once again, Pottery Barn has a really nice option in my colour scheme, but I think I want more of a traditional patchwork quilt. Plus, this one looks like it might be a bit heavier than I want for summer use. At the same time, I am not willing to spend more than $300 on something. I have been stalking Etsy and eBay, but nothing has quite seemed right. My favourite so far is this one, but I would prefer a bit more red than wine coloured. I really like the Irish Chain pattern, too, but same issue with the colours. This is a bit closer, and I like having the blue in there.


But none of them are quite what I want, mainly because I am not sure what I want. Well, that is not quite true: I want an applique quilt, but they are miles out of my price range. I suspect that I will end up doing some kind of custom order. Or I will just order everything from Pottery Barn and have done with it!

Edited to add:

Okay, I think I have found it! A very reasonable price (not handmade, but I don't really need that)and I love the colours. Trouble is, yet another vendor that only ships to the States. And I don't have a visit planned until next Christmas at the earliest. *sighs*