How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Not applicable
Advantages:
It is well written, but . . .
Disadvantages:
a little long
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Just a word of warning, one cannot write a synopsis on this book without giving the novel away because it includes two stories that are merged together in a kind of dual structure. One of the many compelling pieces of this book.
A most confusing novel, it charts the lives of two families in a cut off part of Yorkshire, near the moors. It can take a couple of reads to understand it all properly.
Wuthering Heights is very hard to explain, but I'll try. It is a tale of passion, hate and violence entwined into many relationships. Set in the late 18th century, the novel jumps in time and spans 30 years.
The story is told by two main narrators living in Thrushcross Grange. It centres around Heathcliff (serving as both first and surname) and Catherine Earnshaw. While living at Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff, a gypsy boy of unknown origin, is brought into the family by Catherine's father and suffers a terrible childhood at the hands of Catherine's elder brother, Hindley. Hindley begrudges Heathcliff because he usurped his place in his father's heart and affections. Mr. Earnshaw dies. Hindley marries and has a child, Hareton, and his wife then dies.
As Catherine grows up she realises she and Heathcliff are soulmates, but chooses to marry a rich and handsome man, Edgar Linton because she is drawn to him by his culture. Heathcliff, a nature man himself, runs away distraught because he truly loves Catherine. Catherine moves to Thrushcross Grange to be with Edgar, and she is now Catherine Linton.
Three years later, Heathcliff comes back to the Heights and is allowed to live there with Hindley, who still despises him. They argue all the time and try to kill eachother.
Edgar's sister, Isabella, really likes Heathcliff now he's returned from the wilderness. He's all handsome and rich and mysterious. Heathcliff has plans for revenge against everyone else in the novel. He contrives to take over their properties with the aid of their wills. He finds out that Isabella likes him and tricks her into marrying him so he can get his hands on Thrushcross Grange. Isabella is pregnant, but she runs away from Heathcliff, because she realises he's not all he's cracked up to be. She lives in London with her child, Linton.
Meanwhile, Heathcliff talks to Catherine while she's ill, and he says he will not live in peace until they are together. Catherine is pregnant, but dies during childbirth. The daughter is named Cathy (just to make things confusing). Heathcliff hates Cathy because she's not her mother. Hindley dies, and so Heathcliff vows to make his boy, Hareton, his servant.
Young Cathy grows up in a sheltered world and rarely leaves the Grange. Her father does not want her to ever come in contact with Heathcliff.
Years later, Isabella dies and Linton comes to live at the Grange, but Heathcliff demands his son back. Cathy wants to know her cousin, but her father forbids she has any contact with him while he's at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff plans for Cathy and Linton to get married so he can get Thrushcross Grange when his weak son dies. Cathy is tricked into it, and her father dies. She is forced to live at the Heights with Linton, Hareton and Heathcliff and Linton soon dies. She is a widow and only 18. She is made into a servant just like her other cousin, Hareton, whom she dislikes. In the end, Heathcliff dies and is buried with Catherine, so he's happy. They are finally together after a life of torture for Heathcliff. Thsi si the main part of the novel.
Cathy and Hareton make friends and fall in love and get married. So all's well that ends well. And all of this confusion is told to Lookwood by the housekeeper of Thrushcross Grange, Nelly.
It's a really complicated story, and most people would probably think it's really boring at face value. It's very wordy, and takes ages for the story to actually get moving.
I would never have read it if they didn't make us in school, but how glad I am they did. On reading it two and a half times I understand the complex themes of the novel, such as love, hate, barriers, religion, sexuality, power and the supernatural.
There is a lot of imagery, including weather, the moors and the elements.
It is the most powerful love story ever told. I love it to bits and I will read it again when I get the time!
It's told very well, with many different language styles used, from cliches to poetic passages.
I highly recommend that you pop down to your local library now if you're into love stories and classic fiction. I find that many of the boys in my year don't like this story, perhaps suggesting that it is one for the girls only. I personally think anyone can enjoy it if they put their head to it.
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