With a nature as wild as the moors she loves to roam, Catherine Earnshaw grows up alongside Heathcliff, a foundling her father rescued from the streets of Liverpool.

Their fierce, untamed bond deepens as they grow – until Mr Earnshaw’s death leaves Hindley, Catherine’s brutal brother, in control and Heathcliff reduced to servitude.

Desperate to protect him, Catherine turns to Edgar Linton, the handsome heir to Thrushcross Grange. She believes his wealth might free Heathcliff from cruelty – but her choice is fatally misunderstood, and their lives spiral into a storm of passion, jealousy and revenge.

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Now, eighteen years later, Catherine rises from her grave to tell her story – and to seek redemption.

Essie Fox’s Catherine reimagines Wuthering Heights with beauty and intensity – a haunting, atmospheric retelling that brings new life to a timeless classic and lays bare the dark heart of an immortal love.

My Review

I’m still reeling from the revelation towards the end, though I have to admit I did wonder about it initially. It turns everything on its head.

Once again (as with so many Gothic novels), Catherine Earnshaw is so ridiculously young, that her relationship with Heathcliff is more of an unhealthy obsession than real love. Neither are particularly nice characters, though after Cathy dies in childbirth, Heathcliff, now bent on revenge against just about everyone, becomes a monster.

I first came across Emily Bronte’s only published novel, when I saw the original 1939 film starring Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff, Merle Oberon as Cathy and David Niven as Edgar Linton. What bizarre casting, the producers obviously needing major Hollywood stars to ensure box office success, but the terribly British Olivier as the ‘gypsy’ foundling, and David Niven as beautiful blond Edgar! Even poor Isabella is miscast. Not as bad as Cliff Richard though in the 1996 musical (yes really).

Before writing this review, I read a detailed synopsis of the novel and Catherine sticks to the story mostly, though it takes its own turn with Cathy’s ghost looking back on her life. The original uses various points of view such as Mr Lockwood and Nelly Dean, considered unreliable narrators, particularly Nelly, as she is not a fan of Heathcliff amongst others. Cathy herself is the main character, so her point of view should be reliable. It’s interesting how she watches her own daughter, also called Catherine, with a strange mix of love and resentment. But then Cathy and Heathcliff are both selfish and self-centred.

The quality of Essie’s writing is always superb and this is no exception. It’s modern and old-fashioned (to suit the period), at the same time. A beautiful retelling of Wuthering Heights – I think preferable to the original for me personally as I find the classics hard going at times.

Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours

About the Author

Essie Fox was born and raised in rural Herefordshire, which inspires much of her writing. After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, she moved to London where she worked for the Telegraph Sunday Magazine, and then book publishers George Allen & Unwin, before becoming self-employed in the world of art and design. Essie now spends her time writing historical Gothic novels. Her debut, The Somnambulist, was shortlisted for the National Book Awards, and featured on Channel 4’s TV Book Club. The Last Days of Leda Grey, set in the early years of silent film, was selected as The Times Historical Book of the Month. Essie’s Victorian Gothic novel, The Fascination, debuted at number 10 on the Sunday Times bestseller list, and was widely acclaimed. Essie is also the creator of the popular blog: The Virtual Victorian. She has lectured on this era at the V&A, and the National Gallery in London. She lives in Windsor.