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.

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.

And it’s painted as a great love story.

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.

It’s also really fucking boring.

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.