When I first heard that Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë was getting a new film adaption and therefore gaining a lot of traction, the English major in me was very thrilled. Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite classics and I loved the fact that were new editions being published and people who haven’t read it yet finally became interested in experiencing the 1847 novel. Yet, when I saw that bookstores and publishing houses were marketing this gothic novel as “one of the greatest lovestories in literature” all my alarm bells went off. Needless to say I used this opportunity to once again read Wuthering Heights and now tell you why it is far from a great romance.

Hinweis: Thanks to the publisher for providing this review copy of Wuthering Heights. However, this doesn’t affect my thoughts and opinions in any way.

Wuthering Heights – Book Details

First, let me clear things up: I won’t be discussing the movie adaption by Emerald Fennell, simply because this is supposed to be review of the book and a comparison to the film would definitely exceed the length that anyone would be willing to read. 😅

ICYMI: What Wuthering Heights is actually about

When Mr Earnshaw brings a black-haired foundling into his home on the Yorkshire moors, he has no clue that this would be the starting point of dramatic repercussions. Dark and brooding Heathcliff grows up side by side with Mr Earnshaw’s daughter Catherine and both fall deeply in love. But as conventions demand, Catherine is supposed to marry someone within her own class – meaning someone who is of a particular status and wealth, oh and also white. [Which is btw what Heathcliff ISN’T, even if the film adaption nicely erased this fact]. So yes, the root of the story is definitely love, but one that slowly transforms into possessiveness and Heathcliffs desire for retaliation. And in stark contrast to popular dark romance books (or so I hear, since I’ve never read any) Emily Brontë doesn’t in the slightest romanticize the violent and possessive behavior that eventually turns fatal.

Wuthering Heights is a true masterpiece. The author manages to expose the worst of humanity: oppression due to race and class, hatred, violence and all-consuming lust that turns into obsession. She exposes how easily genuine love can be distorted due to the unhealed trauma that Heathcliff suffered growing up by being still being categorized as inferior due to his roots.

“You said I killed you – haunt me then… I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!” 

The significance of the moors as a setting in Wuthering Heights

Is there anyone who doesn’t immediately think of Wuthering Heights when they see moors? To me, at least, both are intertwined. It’s a mesmerizing setting that Emily Brontë chose as a setting for her Gothic novel, one full of symbolism. The moors are wild and untamed, reflecting Heathcliffs character and mirroring the nature of the love between him and Catherine. It is a place that signifies freedom and wilderness, that which Heathcliff and Catherine dream of for their love, however, the moors can also be a dangerous place. In the end it said their ghosts can sometimes be seen roaming the moors, forever restless.

Wuthering Heights as a Gothic novel

The simple fact that Wuthering Heights is a Gothic novel shows that Catherine’s and Heathcliff’s story is not a great romance but rather an appeal for caution. Major themes of Gothic literature are the portrayal of power imbalances and social or cultural constraint, thus leading to violent and forced actions. In many works we find the typical damsel in distress – in this case Catherine – who is held captive.

The Gothic world is fascinated by violent differences in power, and its stories are full of constraint, entrapment and forced actions. A young woman in danger,Against such vulnerable women are set the great criminals or transgressors Gothic is thus a world of doubt, particularly doubt about the supernatural and the spiritual. It seeks to create in our minds the possibility that there may be things beyond human power, reason and knowledge.

We don’t judge a book by its cover… or do we?

I’m being honest: I LOVE me a beautiful edition of a book. Guilty. I’m not ashamed to admit it. If I have the choice between two editions and one has a lovely cover design and an intricate sprayed edge whereas the other one doesn’t, I’d always pick the pretty one. 💁🏻‍♀️ As before mentioned, Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite classics – I love Emily Brontë’s writing and I’m a fan of Gothic literature, so I would always recommend it to anyone. And if you would also want to own a pretty copy of it, this edition is definitely a great choice. The floral design and gold elements give it a high-quality look without defering from the fact that this is actually not a love story, as represented by the thorns woven into the design. 

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