Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics)

I am an English teacher who writes curriculum for classic literature. I purchased this copy of Wuthering Heights because I am currently working on designing a curriculum for this novel. When ordering a novel online, in which I cannot hold or flip through the book, I tend to purchase Penguin Classics because I trust them. I know a Penguin Classic book will be good quality and a good value. This book contains a lot of additional information that I wasn't anticipating, and even details I didn't already know. It begins with a Preface written by Lucasta Miller in 2003. After that, the reader is presented with a long introduction written in 2000 that gives context to the novel by sharing details of Emily Brontë's life and explaining the time period in which it was written. The introduction is followed by an extensive list of 27 cited resources, making this a great copy of Wuthering Heights to use for students writing research papers. After the introduction, there is a Chronology of Emily Brontë's life. Next, there is a character tree for all of the characters found in the novel (see picture). This can be super helpful to keep all the characters straight, especially for struggling readers. Next, there is a biographical notice regarding the pen names used by the Bronte sisters. And finally, before delving into the novel, the reader will find the editor's preface that was written in 1850. After this preface, the story begins. This copy of the novel is the perfect size. It is just small enough to fit into my purse, but not so small that my aging eyes have trouble reading it. The font is a very comfortable size to read without straining my eyes, and the letters appear crisp and clear. The paper is a soft ivory shade, super easy on the eyes, and not a stark white. The pages are also a nice thickness and weight. What I like best about this physical book is that the pages have texture. I don't like super smooth, slick pages that can be hard to turn. This paper has a bit of grip, making page turns easy, and the pages don't stick together. I find the novel itself to be really enjoyable. It is an easy read for something written in the 1800's. I find Brontë to be way easier to follow than Jane Austen, for example. This story is a gothic romantic tragedy. It has supernatural elements that keep it interesting. If you like Frankenstein and The House of Seven Gables, then you should love Wuthering Heights. Emily Brontë was a genius wordsmith. I'm discovering on average 5 words per chapter that I need to look up in order to determine their meaning. As a certified English teacher, I am always looking for a novel that can expand on students' lexicon. I love this fantastical story with its gothic elements, and I really enjoy the good quality and value that this Penguin Classic copy offers.

It's an unsettling story, that's no surprise because I'd read it before. I chose this version for the lovely cover, which was not as dark (literally and figuratively) as others. But as a retired editor, I found every page looked crowded and uninviting. Needed clearer delineation between paragraphs, maybe a different font. The story itself is what it is, troubling themes and characters, yet interesting to read.

Wuthering Heights has earned its standing as a classic. It’s a dark, brooding, atmospheric novel that is both part of and a defining piece of the gothic genre. It seems often misrepresented as a romance. It’s more about the dark side of love becoming obsession and ultimately the impetus for revenge. It seems odd not to give a book like this 5 stars even if it doesn’t suit my personal tastes perfectly. I didn’t feel drawn to these characters. Not that I need a hero or rooting interest necessarily, but I didn’t find the people to be endearing, not even in a flawed human sort of way. The book isn’t much about the plot development as much as the emotional drama. The ending feels somewhat predictable and inevitable and a little relentless even in an attempt at hopefulness. I wasn’t sold on the hope after being consumed by the darkness for the entirety of the book. But of course that is personal interpretation and reaction. I acknowledge that this is what great literature is about. I became engaged and emotionally affected even if my reaction to it wasn’t lasting love for the work. It’s a great novel even if not in my personal hall of fame. For my personal taste within the gothic genre, I loved Jane Eyre.

A re-read. I last read this over thirty years ago. I remembered not liking it very much, and it was far better than I recalled, yet not, to me, *enjoyable*. I understand Wuthering Heights's status as a classic. The central pair round whom the plot turns are iconic and compelling, yet I found them unappealing. While I often felt sorry for Heathcliff, he was too deficient in kindness for me to like him. And it wasn't in me to even feel sorry for Cathy, though I achieved anger! So, the book fascinated rather than charming me. I note alongside my complaints that I did unequivocally like Nelly, who narrates large sections of the book. Three out of five gothic stars for me. About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).

Well, for one, it’s the paperback book. I don’t think I really need to leave a review about that. It’s kind of a hard read at some points just based on the time period it was written. it’s one of my favorites I plan on reading it like 5 more times than I’ll pass it along to some one else. It’s getting a little beat up because I bring it with me everywhere but I just always prefer a good classic book over Kindle or anything else.

Like most, I read this book in high school literature class. I remember liking this book due to the characters, which most authors try to make them likeable to the reader. This is not the case for this novel. I decided to give it a read again due to being older, thus being able to interpret things on another level from my adolescent self. It was easier to read as an adult though the Yorkshire accent still gets me until I read it aloud in my horrible attempt at a British accent. It is still easier for me to read than southern dialect like Huckleberry Finn. I am glad this novel includes notes to explain some phrases that I would have missed such as pigeon feathers and how it relates to death. I also like that the family tree is included but wished it was located in a better spot since I was referencing it multiple times while reading and had to spend a bit of time to find it even with the table of contents. It would be nice if it was right before the first chapter or the last page of the book to make it easier to look back and reference (which you have to do at times to get an idea the time frame). Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff is "love" in its most unhealthy and darkest form. It is as tumultuous and unforgiving, raining destruction onto not only themselves but anyone else close enough to the storm. Emily Bronte made it difficult to feel much sympathy for these characters; however, I felt the most sympathy for Hareton Earnshaw. Almost every character has flaws that outweigh their attributes, but to me that makes them more lifelike. They make mistakes that cannot be made amends and sometimes leads to further consequences. I liked Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw the least and still to this day find them both deplorable people but realize that their circumstances help shape them into what they became. Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw became monsters underneath different circumstances. Heathcliff, a victim of neglect, lack of family, and prejudice of his skin. Catherine Earnshaw, neglected until meeting the Linton's that cultivated her into civility and develop her narcissism and vanity. I honestly forgot some of the cruelty in the novel and thus warn that it is not for someone that is sensitive to physical and psychological violence. I still marvel to this day how this novel got published in its time due to topics Emily Bronte bravely tackled that were at that time never mentioned in "polite" society. It is a novel that earns its title as a literary classic, never to go out of style. Though horse and carriage may no longer be the main mode of transportation in today's society, it still imparts some valuable insights. This book taught me a valuable lesson as a teenager that I still interpret to this day as an adult: Just because you love someone, does not mean you should be with them (if it isn't healthy and destructive). Note: I love the cover of this edition. Yhe artwork is not only from the time period that this novel was written, but it perfectly embodies the tempest storm that brews up from Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff's love

Penguin Classics are always great editions. The story itself is good, but I am not a fan of how the narrative is told. Don't go into this book expecting any kind of romance or love story.. its a tale of obsession and revenge. Good classic, but not my favorite of the Bronte sisters books.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the interrelationships of the characters in weaving the complex plot. Enthralling! I may have to read again.