Take a photo of a barcode or cover
julieswenson 's review for:
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
I finally read it.
I believe I have the capacity to become passionatly obsessed with the Brontë sisters, and their work.
I didn’t enjoy reading this as much as I did Jane eyre, but Emily’s story is genuinely incredible.
I already think I need to re-read it to be able to fully understand it, this wasn’t the easiest read. But Cathy and Heathcliff’s love is sort of unimaginable. I wish for a book in another persons perspective, like Cathy’s or Heathcliff’s. But I do think there is something to Nelly telling the story. You get it from a sort of involved, yet outside point of view and I think it makes it easier for the reader to make their own opinions and assumptions. Mine are that Heathcliff was so young. I mean even when he died, he was only
in his late 30’s. When he and Cathy were first in love and then separated, they weren’t even 20 yet. I honestly think it’s important to remember that Heathcliff’s actions are coming from a hurt, broken, and poorly treated child. I don’t mean to excuse his actions, but I don’t want to excuse the reasons behind his revenge either. He honestly was wronged in his life and he has reason to be a little messed up. I also think Cathy is just a girl in the world, honestly in love with Heathcliff, but also just trying to get by. Trying to find happiness in her day to day life. But her marrying Linton destroyed her only because Heathcliff came back. Only because she was reminded of what she lost and so conflicted in her feelings and her situation. She really made a cage for herself with no way out but death.
in his late 30’s. When he and Cathy were first in love and then separated, they weren’t even 20 yet. I honestly think it’s important to remember that Heathcliff’s actions are coming from a hurt, broken, and poorly treated child. I don’t mean to excuse his actions, but I don’t want to excuse the reasons behind his revenge either. He honestly was wronged in his life and he has reason to be a little messed up. I also think Cathy is just a girl in the world, honestly in love with Heathcliff, but also just trying to get by. Trying to find happiness in her day to day life. But her marrying Linton destroyed her only because Heathcliff came back. Only because she was reminded of what she lost and so conflicted in her feelings and her situation. She really made a cage for herself with no way out but death.
I don’t believe anyone in this story is a true villain. (Except that I really do not like young Linton. I seriously get that he was mistreated and sick and selfish like the rest of us, but his selfishness takes another level. I just don’t find or really want to find any redeeming qualities in him.) The papa Earnshaw was a good man I believe. He tried his best, and it was his death that soured everything. Hindley was a selfish and insecure human. I don’t like him, but I can sort of understand him and sympathize for him. I really do like Edgar Linton. He’s a wonderful person, and of course has faults but he was just trying his best. I feel bad for Isabella, she didn’t deserve to have her life stolen like it was, but I also for unknown reasons don’t like her very much. I think it takes only basic common sense to know that staying clear of a relationship with Heathcliff is best. Heathcliff was way too consumed with revenge and with proving himself, he could’ve had a life with Cathy. A possibly long and happy life, but his inexperience told him that revenge was more important.
As bleak a book as this is, the ending was perfect. Catherine Linton becoming Catherine Heathcliff, and then Catherine Earnshaw is strangely kismet. And Heathcliff’s death wasn’t by exact suicide like I kind of predicted. It remains Erie in a way, with Cathy and Heathcliff haunting the land they loved. But it also becomes endearing with Catherine and Hareton living at Thrushcross Grange along with Nelly (who although imperfect, deserved a happy ending).
I liked this book, and am exited to read more Brontë work.