Is Cathy the Marmite of heroines? (Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte)

Member Name: brevicoryne

Product:	Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Date:	19/05/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping, beautifully written, very original plot

Disadvantages: Can be a bit confusing at times

Wuthering Heights is a classic that has stood the test of time to remain as gripping and relevant now as it was when it was written. I have read this book many times and the great thing about it is the new details that you notice every time you re-read it. It's not really a romance, not really a tragedy, not really a thriller, and definitely not like Jane Austen. What it is, is a beautifully woven tale of the complexity of human nature. The characters all have (possibly exaggerated) traits that we can recognise in us and in those around us, and observed with a sharp eye they really come to life.

To somebody considering whether to read this book, I would say that you need to enjoy rich, descriptive language - this is not a chick lit book to dip in and out of sporadically. Due to the complexity of the book, the slightly confusing nature of the characters and the gripping storyline you will want to devote a sizeable chunk of time to reading this book for the first time. A long haul flight perhaps, or a rainy weekend.

Interestingly, I've noticed that it seems like you either love Cathy or hate her- and the ones who love her tend to have a few of her character traits themselves...!

Summary: What a brilliant book. Read it or miss out.