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camomila_ 's review for:
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
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