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sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Xenophobia
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
They're all bad people... but written beautiful... It's just toxic 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Abandonment
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I see the hype, and I can appreciate that hype, but it's not my style. The characters are just bad people save for like three of them. Nature versus nurture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I finally finished this book, and while it took me a while (by my own standards), I almost gave up three times. I really disliked the first half, but the second half was much more engaging, I didn’t want to stop reading.
The biggest issue I had with the book was its narration style. The story is told through multiple layers of perspectives, recounting events from third and fourth-hand accounts rather than immersing us in the moment. While I appreciate the creativity and the challenge this must have presented to the author, I found it difficult to connect with the story at first. It wasn’t so much that it was hard to follow, but more that it felt confusing at times. However, I do have to praise Emily’s writing. Even though the narration style was confusing, her ability to write emotional scenes and make the reader feel connected to the characters’ struggles was impressive. She can really evoke emotion and make you care about the events unfolding.
The biggest issue I had with the book was its narration style. The story is told through multiple layers of perspectives, recounting events from third and fourth-hand accounts rather than immersing us in the moment. While I appreciate the creativity and the challenge this must have presented to the author, I found it difficult to connect with the story at first. It wasn’t so much that it was hard to follow, but more that it felt confusing at times. However, I do have to praise Emily’s writing. Even though the narration style was confusing, her ability to write emotional scenes and make the reader feel connected to the characters’ struggles was impressive. She can really evoke emotion and make you care about the events unfolding.
As for the characters, I disliked most of them, and while I understand that this was Emily’s intention, I’m a character driven reader, so this made it tough for me, especially in the first half. Catherine Earnshaw/Catherine Linton and Heathcliff were so frustrating and toxic that I almost couldn’t bear it. But the second half of the book, which focused more on other characters and storylines, was much more enjoyable for me.
Heathcliff, in particular, was incredibly cruel and angry. His actions made me so furious that I had to take a few deep breaths to calm down. I don’t understand why so many people consider him an "anti hero." I do acknowledge his trauma and the terrible decisions that shaped him, I believe that doesn’t excuse his behavior, especially his abuse and violence towards women and children. Emily didn’t create him to be a hero or a likable character, she created him to show the cycle of abuse, which she was ahead of her time for.
I have a lot more to say, but I’ll keep this brief. While there were things I liked about the book, I still disliked a bunch too. I don’t regret reading it, but it was not an enjoyable experience for me. That said, I do believe that this was Emily's intention, this is not a romance. It’s striking that so many people label it as such, as it reflects how society often misunderstands toxic relationships. Catherine and Heathcliff’s bond is not an example of romance, no matter how many "romantic" phrases they share. Their relationship is far from ideal and not something that you should wish for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is not a romantic story. It is a whirlwind of emotional manipulation and abuse and how it trickles down through generations all because two people refused to admit their love for each other. An unhealthy, obsessive love.
This story had me gasping and clutching at my chest at the insane decisions these people made. I don't know if I could ever bring myself to want to read it again, but I'm glad I did read it. It is on my mind constantly, even after I have finished it.
Brontë's writing is beautiful and lyrical. Her use of literary devices such as alliteration and assonance were brilliant. The audiobook really heightened the experience for me, and would strongly recommend it to folks not used to reading old English.
This story had me gasping and clutching at my chest at the insane decisions these people made. I don't know if I could ever bring myself to want to read it again, but I'm glad I did read it. It is on my mind constantly, even after I have finished it.
Brontë's writing is beautiful and lyrical. Her use of literary devices such as alliteration and assonance were brilliant. The audiobook really heightened the experience for me, and would strongly recommend it to folks not used to reading old English.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts
While there are a myriad of issues in this book, Brontë does a decent job of not being too graphic in her descriptions.
in the end, violent vengeance begets itself and kindness begets kindness. it is nice to see such a tumultuous story end with a glimmer of hope between the two cousins and their futures.
to let go and let be seems to be the moral of this story; one's own rage and grudges only seek to destroy oneself.
however, i liked that heathcliff's character is objectively written and complex. he is not merely bad natured out of his born condition but it is the unfair and lonely childhood circumstances he grew up in that disadvantage his personality. the generational cycles of pain and hurt needs to find its end through intentionally searching for one's own light.
to let go and let be seems to be the moral of this story; one's own rage and grudges only seek to destroy oneself.
however, i liked that heathcliff's character is objectively written and complex. he is not merely bad natured out of his born condition but it is the unfair and lonely childhood circumstances he grew up in that disadvantage his personality. the generational cycles of pain and hurt needs to find its end through intentionally searching for one's own light.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Terminal illness
Minor: Animal death, Confinement