Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Loyal Books
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Emily Bronte’s first and only novel, Wuthering Heights, portrays the obsessive and vengeful love story between Heathcliff and Catherine. Images of cruelty and passion with an incorporation of gothic supernatural elements set the dark and misty atmosphere present throughout the novel. Moving between two neighboring houses, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, the wild love story turned destructive obsession is narrated by Mr. Lockwood through his diary entries.
Bronte sets the novel into motion with the arrival of Mr. Lockwood at the house of his grim landlord Heathcliff. The strange and unfriendly manner in which his landlord behaves and his lack of effort to appear otherwise, sparks a flame of curiosity in Lockwood to learn more about the mysterious Wuthering Heights. After nature forces him to spend a night in the house, his eerie experience during the night only further ignites his curiosity to learn more about its past. When he settles into Thrushcross Grange he asks Nelly the housekeeper to tell him more about Wuthering Heights and its residents. Nelly then recounts events leading to Heathcliff’s current bitter state, beginning with his childhood when he was brought in by Mr. Earnshaw, owner of the Wuthering Heights manor. As the young dark-skinned Heathcliff tries to fit in with the family, everyone grows to like him except for Mr. Earnshaw’s son Hindley, who is jealous of the affection Heathcliff receives from his father. His sister Catherine, however, becomes inseparable with the youngster and the two share many adventures together on the moors and a mutual affection is born. As future events unfold, Catherine chooses to marry Edgar Linton, who lives in the nearby Thrushcross Grange, and leaves Heathcliff heartbroken. Hurled into a world of revenge, Heathcliff extends his mission of vengeance to their innocent children years later as they face lurking resentment and animosity.
Bronte’s Gothic romance novel combines the use of extraordinary literary devices, while simultaneously structuring a captivating storyline. Vivid descriptions, a compelling plot and a complex array of characters is what maintains the special place Wuthering Heights holds on the classic literature bookshelf.
Customer Reviews
Excellent at speed
I always listen to these LibriVox recordings at 1.5 speed and that seems a livelier pace - they’re a bit slow otherwise. This book is very well read. The reader manages the different voices and Yorkshire accents very well. Every bit as good as any audiobook - and it’s free! My thanks to the people who made it.
Excellent narration!
I thoroughly enjoyed this version of Wuthering Heights. I would describe this novel as cloying! It’s not an easy read, for its subject matter as much as its literary style, but the narrator coped wonderfully with both. I know how it ends, having read it twice before, but still I’m savouring each chapter - imagining the characters, sights and sounds - and feeling the same burning in my chest as I listen to the extent of Heathcliff’s revengein Ruth Golding’s safe hands.
Well read.
An excellent narration of an incredibly dark old classic. The difficult old Yorkshire accents are handled well by the reader and all the voices are distinct and nicely melodramatic. The overall production could have been a little warmer, but otherwise I very much enjoyed this podcast/audiobook. Many thanks to everyone involved!