Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights was my first taste of Bronte literature, and I was certainly not disappointed. This intense gothic novel was so powerful and interesting it was hard to believe that when it was originally published it was met with scorn, then again, what great books don't have their hardships? I found it very unfortunate that this was Emily's only novel, published only a year before her death in 1848. 

It's rare to find a novel that gives the reader an immense amount to think about but actually flows considerably well. Told through the point of view of Nelly to Mr Lockwood, with the occasional input of Isabelle Linton's letters, it shows many different points of view and offers a tapestry of symbolism and emotion I'm just dying to prod and pick at. 

Mr Lockwood moves to the vast expanse of the Yorkshire moors to escape from society after driving the love of his life away, only to meet the mysterious Mr Heathcliff who lives with the strangest, rudest people Lockwood has ever met. Returning to his home after introducing himself to his neighbours he falls ill and asks Nelly, his housekeeper who grew up with Heathcliff, to recount the story. We then travel a whole lifetime back to the beginning of the story. And we are then told one of the most tragic love stories in classic literature, which I believe (which I hope) was enough to deter Lockwood from travelling the same road as Heathcliff did. 

I would love to give more away, but for those who haven't read it I wouldn't like to reveal only part of the tapestry, it's much more impressive when viewed all together. However I will say that the imagery and symbolism in the book was immensely thought provoking. 

The story is woven together so beautifully, and so intricately that it will give you an intense, but enjoyable reading experience. For those who intend to read this brilliant gothic novel, expecting a typical love story between Heathcliff and Cathy, I would advise you to not put down the book if you don't see what you were expecting, and to power through to the brilliant ending. 

A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

This book was a truly fascinating read. Bought for me in a bout of illness, I didn't actually manage to read it when I first got it. But recently, around college, there has been a burst of activity surrounding this book, with a lot of the English teachers reading it. So I thought I'd give it a go. And I am very glad I did.

A Monster Calls has resonated deeply with me, in a way only a few books do in a persons life time. It was gripping, and dark, with an element of folklore and fear entwined. It may have been this slither of folklore that actually made me like it so much; For once in a book I've found the names of 'Herne the Hunter' and 'Cernnunos' side by side, without a page long explanation of who they are. It felt as though I wasn't being patronised.

The personal note aside, the story, and the narrative were brilliant. I read it in one afternoon, completely sucked in by the story line and the characters I found myself unable to put it down. Despite the book touching on issues such as cancer and bullying they aren't used to make the audience feel. The darker experiences of the main character, Conor, lead the reader to feel for him more than his situation, which I believe can be quite difficult to do, as most people would reflexively decide on their feelings where Conor's situation was concerned.

I'm reluctant to give away the story in any way, but I feel that artwork of Jim Kay cannot be easily ignored. The book is filled with dark, hauntingly beautiful images that work so beautifully with the story that I finally had a book to discuss with my father (a lover of art).

Because of this astounding artwork I feel the book has a certain appeal to both avid readers, art lovers, and anyone in between. But even without the genius of Jim Kay, I felt that Patrick Ness successfully created artwork of his own in this original and emotional narrative.