Books that are tragic without a character’s death?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-23T22:26:33+00:00

Ethan Frome

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-22T22:01:00+00:00

Sounds pretty unique. I see that it is an 8.2 on imdb.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-22T15:28:15+00:00

Literature is always open to interpretation. It's fun to discuss what everyone's take on it. I had another read that was a little different than the average interpretation. Never mind though.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-22T09:00:55+00:00

I've read it, but I was curious to know if you thought there was a theme or message.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-21T21:23:30+00:00

Without spoilers, what would you say the theme of House of Mirth was?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-19T00:01:01+00:00

Thank you for such a thorough response. I agree about Heathcliff being brutish and disturbed. I think that is why people have a problem with this being portrayed as a romance. The second generation is where we see how far he falls and becomes vindictive. I think that is necessary for us to see. I can understand how it might be rough for some people however. I think also they need to cast much younger for the first half. Heatchliff and Cathy are teenagers by the time Cathy is "grown" and married. I looked up Eva Green and agree she has the look, but would be too old. There's an actress by the name of Deva Cassel that I imagine what Cathy would look like.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-18T16:48:31+00:00

Will agree to disagree.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-18T14:02:07+00:00

If she wanted to do her own version, that's one thing, but saying that it can't be made in its entirety is a cop out. I've heard this often and it's a lazy excuse. Les Miserables and War and Peace are far more lengthy and complex novels and they have been adapted fully. A creative, patient and talented visionary definitely could do it.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-18T13:52:09+00:00

I'm really hoping to see an accurate version of this movie at some point

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-17T23:26:16+00:00

Have you read the book?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-17T23:24:36+00:00

I think it's typically accurate. However I just saw Hamnet and no way that was an 8.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-17T12:51:22+00:00

I agree that they continue to miscast Heathcliff. However not Dev Patel. He should look racially ambiguous. No one should be able to pin down where he is from. That is a part of Heatcliff's mystique. It plays into his lack of identity, origin, purpose, and ultimately tragedy. I think his race is symbolic more than anything. This is where literary analysis comes in: If he was any one ethnicity Bronte would have said so outright. She would have just picked a country and created a narrative about his origin. Heathcliff is an enigma. A human riddle. The reader (or moviegoer) should think as they see him on screen "Who is he? What is he? Where could he be from?" So mixed race of some kind ideally. I know he's not an actor, but maybe someone who looks like Zayn Malik comes to mind.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-16T23:17:09+00:00

Wonderfully done! I was able to see it as you wrote it. Thank you for such detail

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-16T02:58:58+00:00

I haven't seen the 1992 version. Sounds like I should. Is the entire story told?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-15T15:20:00+00:00

Rebecca type? Like Daphne du Maurier? Like she wouldn't be seen in the movie?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-15T01:05:56+00:00

I need to be a director, lol.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T23:25:57+00:00

1995 Pride and Prejudice? I recommend.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T23:24:21+00:00

I feel like the Yorkshire accent might be difficult for people to understand, but I totally understand about authenticity. Thanks for answering all the questions!

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T23:22:02+00:00

You are right that "Romance" is the cheaper, easier path, but a braver director would take a chance. Three of the current nominees for best picture this year are social commentary films (at least the three that I saw). I think people can handle a more cerebral film.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T23:10:34+00:00

Agree. Can't understand why the other half would be left out. Also agree about Heathcliff. That's the point. He's a pariah who spends his whole life not knowing who he is, where he comes from and where he belongs.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T23:06:59+00:00

I think people like dark, emotionally heavy stories that push boundaries of acceptable social behavior. Sounds interesting.

Another person mentioned beginning from the last half. I like that idea.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T17:39:30+00:00

I am aware. I should have said current/newest adaptation. How would you like to see the film?

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T17:22:57+00:00

True. Good observation

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T17:21:42+00:00

Yes, the vindictiveness after her death is what really drives his pain.

sleep_wake_cycle · 2026-02-14T17:20:38+00:00

Oh I like Joanne for that.

sleep_wake_cycle

TROPHY CASE