If you’re looking for somewhere to go during lunch, check out Mrs. Selfridge’s room and join her new book club! The club has kicked off with Wuthering Heights as their first book, and so far, it’s a big hit.
Wuthering Heights was first published in 1847 by Emily Brontë, and it follows the complicated life of Heathcliff, an orphan who was brought to an estate called Wuthering Heights. The story spans over years, deciphering his relationship with his childhood friend, Catherine Earnshaw.
Mrs. Selfridge decided to start the club in part because of the new movie adaptation, and while she notes the film is beautiful, it is not true to the original novel. She didn’t want students to think the movie was the same as the book, and since it is no longer read in AP Literature, she missed the discussions surrounding the book. She decided to see if anyone was interested in returning to the topic, if not in a class, then in a club! “I’m super excited to be talking about a book I love so much again and just wish we had more time together to really get to know the characters as thoroughly as I’d like.”
Meetings for the club have already begun, and when asked if this club makes the book more interesting than if she had read it alone, freshman Lana Murray responded, “The book club definitely makes the book more interesting. I think it helps me understand and really visualize the story.” Lana’s experience is one shared by many others in the club as well. By talking through the chapters as a group, the club members are able to navigate the old-fashioned writing and the strong emotions the characters feel.
When asked what her favorite part of the novel was, Mrs Selfridge said she loved Heathcliff and Catherine’s complex relationship, and looking into how/why everything happens the way it does. “I don’t know – the relationships between the characters – all of them – are so complex – and the emotions involved are so intense that at times the line between love and hatred is blurred almost beyond recognition. Because of that blurred line – and because of the morally ambiguous nature (if I’m being kind) of many of the characters, the novel itself can be polarizing. People either love it or hate it. Those of us who love it are absolutely passionate about it.”
This club has started off strong, so if you’re interested, stop by Mrs. Selfridge’s room and join the discussion. It’s the perfect opportunity to hear different takes on a timeless novel. For Mrs. Selfridge, the club is about the shared experience of the story, “Wherever the rest of the club lands, and whether or not we believe in ghosts at the end of the day, I’m going to enjoy the ride, and can’t wait to see what book we pick up next!”
