Wuthering Heights: A Retelling

Headstrong and free-spirited, Catherine Earnshaw tells of her tragic romance with the cruel-natured Heathcliff, starting with the stormy night her father brought the impoverished boy home. Their love is one of reckless passion, as wild as the nature they spend all of their time in, and constantly thwarted by societal expectations and their own miscommunication. Catherine’s arrogance and Heathcliff’s malice are only the beginning of the obstacles these soulmates must withstand, for their love must also survive the abuse from her family, the disdain of her neighbours, and even an untimely death. 

Tanya Landman’s retelling of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights brings a new sense of accessibility to the classic story. Told in first-person from Catherine’s viewpoint, this novella allows the reader to form a deeper connection with the young adult heroine as the motivation behind her thoughts and actions is clearly identified. Although shortened, this retelling captures the dark tone of the original and retains the sense of impending doom.   

Lovers of the original classic will enjoy this take for the refreshing approach Catherine’s point of view gives to the tale. And those who might have been put off by the difficulty of Brontë’s language will certainly find this one easier to understand. Presented in a dyslexia-friendly format, this novella is accessible to developing readers and has darker themes that will appeal to a teen audience. 

Jessica Militante