2017 Reading Challenge discussion

I had been meaning to read this for some years, having heard what a major influence it had been on some friends' lives. I must say, I am disappointed. Although the prose is in general quite good, in places even outstanding, it seemed uneven and rather predictable. This may fall on the side of heresy, but why did several kisses and a caress drive people mad against this book? Still it was interesting to read how differently folks lived then, with mention of a car or two, but not electricity, only gaslights. It was first published in 1899; we can so easily forget how much has changed.
I rate this as 3 stars, no more.

I read this in high school and absolutely hated it. I found the main character so selfish and unlikeable. Since then, I've gained a little more perspective and can empathize with her to a point but it still will never make my favorites list. It is well-written though and does show how much things have changed to now.