Book Review: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights is one of those books that pulls you in, leaves you questioning everything, and makes you want to re-read it just to understand the layers of its characters better. The story revolves around Heathcliff, a man who is both the cause and consequence of so much chaos in the lives of everyone around him.

Heathcliff is a character I’ve never been sure how to feel about. Sometimes, I liked him. Other times, I hated him. There were moments I pitied him deeply, and then there were moments I just wanted to scream at him—or worse. His love for Catherine Earnshaw was so intense, so consuming, that it drove him to unimaginable lengths, but it was also what made him human in the midst of all his cruelty.

Catherine and Heathcliff were meant to be together, no doubt about that. But if they had been, there wouldn’t have been a story. Still, I wish Catherine had stood up for Heathcliff more. If she had defended him against her brother Hindley, maybe things wouldn’t have gone so far downhill.

Edgar Linton, on the other hand, is a character I truly pitied. He loved Catherine deeply and didn’t deserve the heartbreak he suffered. He was kind and gentle, but in the storm of Catherine and Heathcliff’s tumultuous relationship, his goodness felt like it didn’t stand a chance.

Hindley Earnshaw? Honestly, I couldn’t bring myself to care much about what happened to him. He was the kind of character who reaped what he sowed, and that was that.

Nelly, the ever-present narrator, witnessed it all. She was there for both Catherine and Cathy, and her storytelling tied everything together so well. Her perspective brought so much depth to the story—she was the anchor in all the chaos.

Hareton was one character I always looked forward to seeing. His presence added an unpredictability to the story. I wish his life had been kinder to him—he didn’t deserve to suffer for his father’s sins. Poor lad deserved better, and I kept hoping he’d find some peace.

Linton Heathcliff? From the moment he was introduced, something about him just bothered me. I could never like him, even though I felt pity for his fate in the end.

Joseph… well, let’s just say I wish his dialogue had been a little easier to read.

And then there’s Isabella Linton—another character who I couldn’t help but pity. She deserved so much more than what she got.

This novel was tragic in every sense, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a story where so many main characters meet such heartbreaking ends. But that’s also what makes Wuthering Heights unforgettable. Every character is so well-written, so layered, that they stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.

It’s a story I’d definitely want to revisit in the future—not just to relive its intensity but to dive deeper into the emotions, motives, and choices of these unforgettable characters. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a journey worth taking.