By: Tasnia Shahrin
Author Bio:
Tasnia is a literature enthusiast, currently diving into her second Master's degree in Literature and Society at the University of Edinburgh. She’s a voracious reader with a particular love for Romantic fiction and poetry. In this review, she spills her thoughts on Emily Brontë’s iconic novel, Wuthering Heights.
THE REVIEW:
If you think classic literature is all about stuffy drawing rooms and polite conversations, Wuthering Heights is here to prove you wrong. This is the only novel by Emily Brontë, the middle of the famous Brontë sisters, who tragically passed away at just 30, a year after its publication in 1847. Despite her brief life, Brontë’s masterpiece has left an indelible mark, inspiring three operas, a graphic novel, and countless film adaptations.
Many believe Wuthering Heights is a sad love story that will cause you a cathartic episode, but that's actually a misconception. I found it to be a really dark, jaw-dropping, twisted saga of a deeply dysfunctional family. The characters are extremely selfish, driven by intense desires that lead them to commit crazy acts of violence and psychological abuse. There's no clear moral to this tale at all, rather it's more like an intricate, beautifully written disaster that you can't look away from.
Wuthering Heights is a novel that is intricately framed as a story within a story. What really made me fall in love with Wuthering Heights was how raw and dramatic the storyline felt. This isn't your typical love story with the day-to-day relationship conflicts like ‘why didn’t you text me’ or ‘who were you talking to’. Instead, Brontë takes it ten times up a notch where Heathcliff, in a fit of desperate obsession, actually opens Catherine’s grave to be with her. It’s the ultimate display of his unhinged devotion and madness. It's full of characters who are messy, flawed, and downright cruel at times. Most importantly, the separation anxiety between Heathcliff and Catherine is so intense, that the tension will cut through the pages of the book and give you shivers. But that's what makes it so gripping. Emily Brontë doesn't sugarcoat anything—she dives right into the chaos of human emotions and relationships. The way she writes about obsession, revenge, and the complexities of love is just mesmerizing. Plus, the gloomy and wild moors setting adds to this eerie vibe that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I couldn't help but get lost in the stormy world she created, and by the end, I was totally hooked.
The reading process for me was definitely not a smooth process. Honestly, there were a few things that bugged me about Wuthering Heights. Some of the characters were so frustratingly stubborn that I wanted to scream at them. For starters, Heathcliff's relentless revenge spree can be exhausting, and Catherine's selfishness made it hard to sympathize with her at times. But let’s talk about Catherine—what a piece of work she is! Seriously, if you thought your high school drama was bad, wait until you meet Catherine Earnshaw. She's like the original drama queen, always stirring up trouble and making everyone around her miserable. One minute she’s madly in love with Heathcliff, and the next she’s marrying Edgar for his fancy house. Talk about fickle! And don’t get me started on her tantrums—Catherine could probably win an Olympic gold medal in being over-the-top dramatic.
One of the finest moments that really stood out to me was when Edgar finally had enough and demanded that Catherine choose between him and Heathcliff. It was about time someone called her out on her constant drama! Watching Catherine get told off was strangely satisfying. She was so used to manipulating everyone around her with her theatrics, but Edgar put his foot down and forced her to face the consequences of her actions. It was like a breath of fresh air amidst all the chaos. Finally, someone wasn’t going to let her have it both ways. It’s one of those moments that makes you cheer a little inside, glad that someone is standing up to her relentless selfishness. But somehow, her wild antics make the story even more addictive. It's like watching a reality show where you can’t believe what’s happening, but you just can’t look away.
And that’s the thing—reading Wuthering Heights as a contemporary reader feels like binge-watching a juicy, twisted drama series. Imagine combining the intensity of a thriller with the chaos of a reality TV show, and you’ve got the vibe. The wild and unfiltered emotions of the characters are surprisingly relatable even today. Heathcliff’s brooding bad boy persona? Still a classic. Catherine’s over-the-top drama? Totally something that would trigger good reactions out of you. The themes of love, revenge, and obsession are timeless, and Brontë’s bold storytelling keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s like stepping into a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions that feels fresh and thrilling, even in the 21st century.
I’d recommend Wuthering Heights to anyone who loves a good, intense drama with a side of gothic flair. If you’re the type of reader who enjoys complex characters, wild emotional rollercoasters, and a bit of dark, atmospheric storytelling, this book is for you. Fans of moody, brooding antiheroes will eat up Heathcliff’s twisted persona, while those who love to dissect human behavior will find Catherine’s dramatic antics endlessly fascinating. It’s a riveting story where the lead heroine spends the most of the book in her tomb as readers try to make sense of what could have been between her and Heathcliff—a villain who is both tragic and ultimately pathetic. This story has more twists than Heathcliff has grudges, and that is saying something. It’s perfect for anyone who likes their romance served with a hefty dose of turmoil and their stories layered with deep, psychological intrigue. So, if you’re ready to dive into a stormy tale of love, revenge, and obsession, grab a copy and get ready for a wild ride!
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