Wuthering Heights

     Author                             Emily Bronte

     Country                           United Kingdom

     Genre                              Fiction: Classic

     Publication Date            1847

     Pages                               279








And I finally read this book; having been on my 'to read' list for the longest time.

Believe me when I say this: classics are truly endearing to anyone who is fond of reading - the quality of the language, the way the plot and the characters are built leave most other books wanting. And to imagine that this was written by Emily Bronte around the age of 30.

The novel's main character, Catherine falls in love with her foster brother Heathcliff but Hindley, (Cathetine's brother) detests Heathcliff and turns him out of the house post their father's death. Catherine ends up marrying someone else but her heart and soul always stay with Heathcliff; who returns to seek his revenge. The book is built beautifully around the truly heart-renching love story and the extent to which one man can go to seek revenge for his unrequited love.

This book clearly wins the race of being one of the most passionate books I have read in the recent past. The intensity of emotions is both endearing and nerve wrecking. Love to the extent of madness, purity of love through connection of souls, deep rooted hatred and vengefulness are some of the many emotions on which the book rests.

However, the dark side of the book is too strong for my comfort. To give an example, the extent to which 'Heathcliff' manipulates children and their innocence in order to achieve his ulterior objectives leaves me itching to strangle him. 

And, finally, this book once again (like other books before this) leave me with the realization that people are complex and they are 'grey': the same person can love someone to madness while he can be outright mean and obnoxious to others. In my small world, this sounds strange since people are meant to be good or bad (black or white); but who said my make believe world was real?

All in all, this is a page turner. 

A very fast paced classic (almost sounds like an oxymoron!). 

A book you will not repent picking up.