Wuthering Heights (Everyman's Library Classics & Contemporary Classics)

Wuthering Heights is one of those classics that everyone has heard of, knows part of the story, but few have actually sat down and read. I am one of those; I've always known of it, and having watched the movie always thought that I knew the story of Wuthering Heights, but I was terribly fooled by Hollywood. The movie ends at Chapter 17 and the real meat of the story comes in the 16 or 17...more

Wuthering Heights is one of those classics that everyone has heard of, knows part of the story, but few have actually sat down and read. I am one of those; I've always known of it, and having watched the movie always thought that I knew the story of Wuthering Heights, but I was terribly fooled by Hollywood. The movie ends at Chapter 17 and the real meat of the story comes in the 16 or 17 chapters following. Wuthering Heights would appeal to those who enjoy reading about the dark side of life. The incessant child abuse, alcoholism, thirst for revenge, hatred, starvation of affection etc. is the real gist of this story, and how it affects the lives of the adults these children become. It is the stuff of nightmares, and I know for myself it will take quite a while to shake the ugly feelings I picked up from this story. Of course, there is a fairly happy ending; there almost has to be or it would drive the reader mad. The atmosphere of darkness is lifted in the last two chapters so that we are relieved that good can come of evil, the usual theme of most writing. The perseverance and strength of some can win out over the wicked desires of another. It's just unfortunate that many a reader will not make it that far to see that as they will put the book down in disgust. I wonder why Emily Bronte chose to write such a depressing novel - is this what her life felt like to her? It is a very sad commentary of life in the 1840's in the northern parts of England.   hide