Our book group choice for June 2025 is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. A passionate and bleak tale of love, revenge, and obsession set on the windswept Yorkshire moors, the story is primarily narrated by Nelly Dean, a housekeeper, and Lockwood, a bewildered tenant, who unravel the tragic history of the Earnshaw and Linton families.
At its heart lies the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw, a spirited and wilful young woman, and Heathcliff, a mysterious orphan brought into her family. Their deep, unconventional bond is shattered when Catherine chooses social standing over her intense connection with Heathcliff, marrying the gentle Edgar Linton. This betrayal fuels Heathcliff’s burning desire for vengeance.
Heathcliff returns years later, a wealthy and embittered man, determined to exact his revenge on both families. He manipulates, schemes, and inflicts suffering, extending his cruelty across generations. The novel explores the destructive power of unrequited love and the cycle of abuse, culminating in a haunted landscape where the spirits of Catherine and Heathcliff find their ultimate, enduring union.
Discussion Questions
- What did you think of the book structure – looking back on past events through the eyes of two narrators?
- How did the narrators Mr Lockwood and Nelly influence the story? Were they reliable? Likable?
- Who do you think is ultimately at fault for the tragedy of the story? Heathcliffe? Hindley? Mr Earnshaw? Cathy?
- The isolation of the characters makes them vulnerable to the story’s events. Would/could this scenario happen in today’s society?
- Who was your most memorable character and why?
- Is this a romance or a tragedy? A story of hope or revenge? Was it a happy ending?
Individual Ratings
EmmaT's Rating 
Sue's Rating 
Jo's Rating
Anthony's Rating
Catherine's Rating
Willow's Rating
Hayley's Rating
DKB's Rating