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dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Classism
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Religious bigotry
Minor: Animal cruelty
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
my favorite book ever, i wish white people could read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Colonisation
constant racial abuse towards the male protagonist and misogyny quite literally killed the female protagonist. it's very important that the relationship was doomed by being between a presumably romani brown-skinned man and a british white woman centuries ago. also there's a necrophilia scene, it's more romantic than sexual but that should still be a warning.
there's a strong case for the male protagonist to have been written as a vampire due to the myth's more grounded nature at the time the book was written and various coincidences. vampires were told to be created either by "contagion" (not likely) or suicide. this last possibility is plausible enough with the subtext and the same character kills himself (presumably again) by stopping to eat by the end of his life and the book.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Death of parent
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I took my time rereading this. In between my other CRs, before I sleep, etc, that it took me 4 months to finish it. Well, I actually read nearly half of it just yesterday. It was one of those cold, rainy, gloomy days and I was breezing through this story. I couldn't help it. It felt as familiar as if I were reading my diary regarding my past (no, my past did not resemble this book in the slightest. I just mean it's so comfortable to read Emily's words as if it were home).
This book is so special to me. The gloomy atmosphere, the intense emotions, the wild characters, the beautiful quotes, the tragic family tree, the eerie supernatural sightings, the comedic scenes, the growth and development of the characters, the unforgettable love declarations... oh, what is there not to love? This is such an iconic book. I fiercely love Emily Jane Brontë.
This is my first time reading the Norton edition and it was enlightening. The essays helped me understand the literature better and it made me be even more in awe of this novel. How Q. D. Leavis compared Cathy to characters from Dickens, Tolstoy, Lawrence; how Inga-Stina Ewbank wrote about the symbols in the book to differentiate characters and societal classes; how John K. Mathison wrote an essay solely on Nelly and how she was an unreliable narrator (which really opened my eyes to a lot of missed details); how Carl R. Woodring wrote about the narrators of the books and how it plays with the events; how Mary Visick compared Cathy to A.G.A, a Gondal heroine; how Mark Schorer analysed WH through the analogies and how "Her metaphors instruct her, and her verbs"; and lastly, how William M. Sale, JR reiterated Miss Fanny Ratchford's conclusion that Wuthering Heights was born from the tales of Gondal. I've spent over an hour reading these essays and I've learned so much in one sitting.
C. P. Sanger summarised the book then went into detail of every date of birth and death of the characters, and wondered how Emily had knowledge of the dates as well as the laws of land ownership. He was in awe of her brilliance and knowledge. He also wrote that this was a "tempestuous book" and I couldn't find a more perfect word to describe it than that. Sums it up greatly.
David Cecil wrote that to Emily, "man and nature are equally living and in the same way; different manifestations of a single spiritual reality." That she accepted both good and evil in people: "the deeds and passion of humans do not spring from destructive impulses, but they're only destructive if they were diverted from their natural course." And that the characters' intense emotions resemble the forces of nature; they love each other not because of their pleasant personalities, but from a sense of affinity. That's such a brilliant way of reading into her works. Someone finally found the right words to explain a good reason to back up why I love this book despite the terrible characters.
As for the newspaper clippings of the book reviews, I can only imagine how much Emily must've laughed and felt a surge of pride seeing her words being reviewed in its time (especially when they just didn't get it, nor were they aware of who the actual author was).
All in all, this was such a perfect addition to my collection of WH. It's a must read by fans of Wuthering Heights who want to delve deeper into this brilliant novel. I'm so happy I found a copy so I can find more reasons to love my favourite book.
This book is so special to me. The gloomy atmosphere, the intense emotions, the wild characters, the beautiful quotes, the tragic family tree, the eerie supernatural sightings, the comedic scenes, the growth and development of the characters, the unforgettable love declarations... oh, what is there not to love? This is such an iconic book. I fiercely love Emily Jane Brontë.
This is my first time reading the Norton edition and it was enlightening. The essays helped me understand the literature better and it made me be even more in awe of this novel. How Q. D. Leavis compared Cathy to characters from Dickens, Tolstoy, Lawrence; how Inga-Stina Ewbank wrote about the symbols in the book to differentiate characters and societal classes; how John K. Mathison wrote an essay solely on Nelly and how she was an unreliable narrator (which really opened my eyes to a lot of missed details); how Carl R. Woodring wrote about the narrators of the books and how it plays with the events; how Mary Visick compared Cathy to A.G.A, a Gondal heroine; how Mark Schorer analysed WH through the analogies and how "Her metaphors instruct her, and her verbs"; and lastly, how William M. Sale, JR reiterated Miss Fanny Ratchford's conclusion that Wuthering Heights was born from the tales of Gondal. I've spent over an hour reading these essays and I've learned so much in one sitting.
C. P. Sanger summarised the book then went into detail of every date of birth and death of the characters, and wondered how Emily had knowledge of the dates as well as the laws of land ownership. He was in awe of her brilliance and knowledge. He also wrote that this was a "tempestuous book" and I couldn't find a more perfect word to describe it than that. Sums it up greatly.
David Cecil wrote that to Emily, "man and nature are equally living and in the same way; different manifestations of a single spiritual reality." That she accepted both good and evil in people: "the deeds and passion of humans do not spring from destructive impulses, but they're only destructive if they were diverted from their natural course." And that the characters' intense emotions resemble the forces of nature; they love each other not because of their pleasant personalities, but from a sense of affinity. That's such a brilliant way of reading into her works. Someone finally found the right words to explain a good reason to back up why I love this book despite the terrible characters.
As for the newspaper clippings of the book reviews, I can only imagine how much Emily must've laughed and felt a surge of pride seeing her words being reviewed in its time (especially when they just didn't get it, nor were they aware of who the actual author was).
All in all, this was such a perfect addition to my collection of WH. It's a must read by fans of Wuthering Heights who want to delve deeper into this brilliant novel. I'm so happy I found a copy so I can find more reasons to love my favourite book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found Wuthering Heights to be refreshing after reading Jane Eyre. Both Charlotte and Emily have tremendous talent in storytelling, albeit vastly different modes of portraying themes, characters and morality. It is as though they have lived completely different lives, Charlotte is inspired by what is good and godly, Emily is attracted to darkness and misery. The content warnings could be rolling out the door.
Wuthering Heights delves into the reality of many people’s lives in Emily’s era, through morbid, selfish characters and of course her narcissistic / sociopathic anti-hero, Heathcliff who becomes a tyrannical patriarch. His ability to do so is enlightening in regards to the ease in which a man can inflict cruelty on those around him, especially women, with impunity from the law. Power-hungry and sadistic, Heathcliff seeks revenge for the way he was treated in childhood and for how his love was stolen from him— the only person who can stir positive feeling in him. Although Heathcliff is abhorrent, he is so intriguing and his devotion to Catherine renders this morally indefensible character understandable to the eyes of many readers. Although we cannot excuse his temperance, cunning and evil nature, we sympathise with the little orphan Romani boy he once was, treated terribly, until Catherine “saved” him, and her father warmed up to him.In death, Catherine saves him once more, and calls him to the other side; or at least we may deduce this from his delirious state during the days leading to his death.
I am still reflecting on this novel and I shall be for a while, however here are some quotes which are poignant/of interest:
Wuthering Heights delves into the reality of many people’s lives in Emily’s era, through morbid, selfish characters and of course her narcissistic / sociopathic anti-hero, Heathcliff who becomes a tyrannical patriarch. His ability to do so is enlightening in regards to the ease in which a man can inflict cruelty on those around him, especially women, with impunity from the law. Power-hungry and sadistic, Heathcliff seeks revenge for the way he was treated in childhood and for how his love was stolen from him— the only person who can stir positive feeling in him. Although Heathcliff is abhorrent, he is so intriguing and his devotion to Catherine renders this morally indefensible character understandable to the eyes of many readers. Although we cannot excuse his temperance, cunning and evil nature, we sympathise with the little orphan Romani boy he once was, treated terribly, until Catherine “saved” him, and her father warmed up to him.
I am still reflecting on this novel and I shall be for a while, however here are some quotes which are poignant/of interest:
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire. - Catherine Earnshaw, 78
so who’s trying to merge souls?
What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and, if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger…Nelly, I am Heathcliff— - Catherine Earnshaw, 79-80
I love that the line between love and obsession is so faint, it may as well not be there between Catherine and Heathcliff
The moment her regard ceased, I would have torn his heart out, and drunk his blood! - Heathcliff, 143
Heathcliff is toxic (understatement) but I liked the vampiric imagery, he quite figuratively is a vampire seeking to use and destroy for his own ends/pleasure/consumption.
“I wish I could hold you…till we were both dead! I shouldn’t care what you suffered. I care nothing for your sufferings. Why shouldn’t you suffer? I do!” - Catherine Earnshaw, 152
Well might Catherine deem that Heaven would be a land of exile to her, unless, with her mortal body, she cast away her moral character also. - Nelly Dean, assuming the role of narrator, 152
I also appreciate how love and hate are intertwined, and how selfish they are in love— it’s difficult to determine whether they act for their lover or themselves, and yet it is both since they seem to be eternally bound.
…and on my approaching hurriedly to ascertain if she had fainted, he gnashed at me, and foamed like a mad dog, and gathered her to him with greedy jealousy. - Nelly Dean, 154
“…Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort— you deserve this. You have killed yourself…wring out my kisses and tears. They’ll blight you— they’ll damn you.” “I love my murderer—but yours! How can I?” - Heathcliff, 154-155
Their passion, through their disdain, through their spite, through their jealousy, it is unbreakable. Their tempestuous relationship is solidified as an unstoppable force in this scene, and unfortunately the surrounding characters (their family!) are drawn into the wreckage of the storm.
In regards to the narration, I love Nelly Dean, especially when she portrays Heathcliff in a preternatural, primal light, it fits the dark, gothic mood and it adds a sparkle to his enigmatic, morally grey character.
In regards to the narration, I love Nelly Dean, especially when she portrays Heathcliff in a preternatural, primal light, it fits the dark, gothic mood and it adds a sparkle to his enigmatic, morally grey character.
I finish this review under the misty full moon, left with feelings of repulsion and curiosity towards Wuthering Heights.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Classism
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
General vibe: misery loves company & it’s connection to the cycle of abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racism
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty
dark
mysterious
sad
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
The writing is gorgeous but there is so much abuse 😬. Who's reading this and swooning??? I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to parse a classic book, that the writing would be too convoluted for me but actually it's very readable. The main difficulty I had was with Joseph who is written in the dialect. I had to read it out loud to understand what was being said.
I enjoyed the book, but definitely as horror not a romance. Honestly I'd be more comfortable if it was revealed that there was some eldritch monstrosity in Wuthering Heights that was turning people mad and killing off those who interact with the Earnshaws. But no, it's intergenerational abuse, and early modern medicine.
The two families are unhinged. Like okay, people are commenting that Heathcliff is unhinged because he is, but think of Isabella for example.You're sneaking out of your house at night to elope to a man, and the first thing you see is him attempting to hang your pet dog. And you just brush it off as that's Heathcliff for you. What?!?
Nelly Dean deserves better. She has had to put up with so much. I'm glad that she's glad at the end of the book.
Pop culture view of the book and this book couldn't be further apart. Still a great read. Would recommend reading it however I'm not sure if I'd want to watch a film of the book.
I enjoyed the book, but definitely as horror not a romance. Honestly I'd be more comfortable if it was revealed that there was some eldritch monstrosity in Wuthering Heights that was turning people mad and killing off those who interact with the Earnshaws. But no, it's intergenerational abuse, and early modern medicine.
The two families are unhinged. Like okay, people are commenting that Heathcliff is unhinged because he is, but think of Isabella for example.
Nelly Dean deserves better. She has had to put up with so much. I'm glad that she's glad at the end of the book.
Pop culture view of the book and this book couldn't be further apart. Still a great read. Would recommend reading it however I'm not sure if I'd want to watch a film of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Incest, Racism