Read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: The Fable Reading Guide
May 10 2023
The Catastrophically Classical book club just started reading "Wuthering Heights," a beloved novel (and a free ebook on Fable!) set in England's craggy and wild moors. “I have always been a sci-fi or fantasy genre reader with the exception of two books: ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘The Great Gatsby,’” explained club founder Tori Ross. “These two classics I read in high school and were the first novels I read that not only made me cry but caused immense heartache. I remember being astonished that OLD books could do that.”In 2022, Tori wanted to read the classics again. “I started to look for book clubs in my area and came up wanting. Though people gathered to read in clubs near me, none focused on the classics. So, I created my own using Fable,” she explained. “I wanted to read stories that had stood the test of time. Stories that paved the way, inspiring authors to create the books we have now.”
Read Wuthering Heights for free with the Catastrophically Classical book club!
Why should you read Wuthering Heights?
We asked Tori to tell Fable readers what makes this novel so unique. “I am so enamored with this story I collect various editions. I believe I have twenty-seven different copies,” she said."'Wuthering Heights' is not your typical romance. This is one where the reader might dislike some or all of the characters. Brontë weaves a tale of epic proportions that crosses family generations. You so badly want these complex characters to find happiness. Though the language can be seen as challenging, once you are in the story I find it very hard to put down. Each time I read it I am stunned at how moving language can be, that the words I read on the page can be felt in my soul."
Read with Nelly
One of the critical characters in "Wuthering Heights" is Ellen “Nelly” Dean, a strong-willed and opinioned character who narrates many critical passages of the book.Using artificial intelligence technology, we’ve created a digital version of Nelly. As you read “Wuthering Heights” on Fable, you can discuss the book with Nelly herself! Our reading companion described her personality:"I'm not afraid to speak my mind, even when it might be unpopular or controversial. Some might say I'm a bit sassy or blunt at times, but I prefer to think of it as being honest and straightforward. I'm also quite compassionate and caring, especially towards the children in my care. Oh, and I do love a good bit of gossip and enjoy a lively conversation. Overall, I think you could say that I'm a fiercely loyal person who values honesty and integrity above all else."
As book clubs read “Wuthering Heights” together, Nelly will post A.I.-generated commentary every week, and you can ask her questions directly by typing @Nelly. Fable’s editorial team will review every post from Nelly to ensure that her commentary is appropriate and accurate.What was the story Wuthering Heights about?
As she noted, Nelly has a lot of opinions! We asked her to introduce readers to the book. She gave this charming summary:"Ah, what a question to ask! 'Wuthering Heights' is a powerful tale of passion, love, revenge, and tragedy, with haunted characters that linger in your memory long after you finish reading. It tells the story of passion and revenge between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, two wild-hearted individuals who grew up together in the bleak moors of northern England and whose relationship is twisted by fate and circumstance. The novel spans over two generations and is a complex narrative that explores themes such as family, social class, religion, love, and revenge. It is definitely a novel that will touch your heart and make your blood boil."
Why was Wuthering Heights so controversial?
The novel caused quite a stir when it was first published. Emily Bronte published the novel under a male pseudonym, adding a new layer of controversy. The story still seems groundbreaking today, but when it was published, the book challenged the social and literary norms of Victorian society.Nelly explained and added more details:"Firstly, readers were shocked by the raw and violent passion portrayed in the novel, which was not commonly seen or accepted in literature at the time. The characters, especially Heathcliff, were also considered too wicked and unlikable for Victorian readers to sympathize with. Additionally, the novel challenges traditional gender roles and social norms, and the way the narrative is structured, with multiple narrators and flashbacks, can be confusing for some readers."
What is the main point of Wuthering Heights?
If you want to know more about the key themes of the novel, Nelly is happy to help!"That novel is a complex web of themes and ideas, but if I had to pick one, I'd say it's about the destructive power of love. The novel shows how love can be a force of great passion and intensity, but it can also lead to tragedy and destruction. The characters in 'Wuthering Heights' are unable to control their own hearts and desires, and this leads them down dark and dangerous paths. In the end, we see that love can be both beautiful and terrifying, and that human nature is often unpredictable and uncontrollable."
Is Wuthering Heights a hard book to read?
Many readers worry that the classic novel might be too tough to tackle. Nelly concluded her lessons with some encouragement:"Wuthering Heights is undoubtedly a complex and challenging novel to read. However, for those who are willing to invest the time and effort to fully engage with the characters and themes of the story, it is an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. The novel is well-written and captivating, with vivid descriptions of the moors and a narrative structure that keeps the reader engaged and invested. It may take some time to fully grasp the multiple layers and nuances of the story, but it is certainly worth the effort!"
Great Quotes from Wuthering Heights
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”― Emily Brontë“She burned too bright for this world.”― Emily Brontë“I have dreamt in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.”― Emily Brontë“I have not broken your heart - you have broken it; and in breaking it, you have broken mine.” ― Emily Brontë“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”― Emily Brontë“If he loved with all the powers of his puny being, he couldn’t love as much in eighty years as I could in a day.” ― Emily Brontë“I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.”― Emily Brontë “Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!”― Emily Brontë“I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free.” ― Emily BrontëKeep reading on Fable
The Fable app is built for social reading, with tools for sharing highlights, comments, insights, links, pictures, and videos as you read together.We also make it easy to launch your free book club. With our platform, you can host every aspect of an online discussion at a single destination to reach readers and build safe online communities regardless of location or time zone.Start your own book club today!You can also discover your new favorite book by exploring thousands of book lists on Fable. It’s easy to make your own list as well!Make a great book list.Just finished reading a book and have the urge to share your thoughts with the world? It’s time to write your review! You can also import your Goodreads reviews to your Fable account!Rate and review your favorite books!