In this classic 19th Century novel we follow the tribulations of the Earnshaws and the Lintons, isolated high on the Yorkshire Moors. Through Emily Brontë’s masterful and bold characters, we witness the families experience love, loss, marriage and more. Will Cathy marry her true love? Will Heathcliff find his revenge? Will these families ever find peace?
Emily Brontë artfully crafts a brilliant, dark tale; enthralling, surprising and engaging the reader and drawing us into the world of Wuthering Heights alongside her characters.
Although this book was a challenging read, it was worth the time spent on it. I especially enjoyed the characters in the book as they were all imperfect, making them more interesting and realistic. My personal favourite was Cathy Earnshaw, as she was the exact opposite to the flawless, inwardly beautiful heroine more commonly found in literature of the time, such we see in Jane Eyre (written by Brontë’s sister Charlotte.) Instead the heroine Cathy is spoilt, temperamental, beautiful and wild, and throughout the book we watch her torn between her wild passion and her social ambition as she brings misery to both the men who love her.
I would say one of the most impressive features of the book is its focus on characters rather than a complicated plot. Emily Brontë creates characters who shape and break the story rather than the plot shaping and creating the characters (as in other 19th Century novels such as Jane Eyre or Pride and Predjudice). Without her strong, free-minded characters the story would not have evolved like it did and wouldn’t have been so surprising and engaging.
I would classify this book as a Dark Romance and I would recommend it to 12+ as it is a harder read and needs some patience and persistence.
By Tilly (UV – Year 11)
