wuthering heights by emily bronte.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Key Details

  • Genre: fiction
  • Sub-Genres: romance
  • Publication Date: 1847
  • Themes: obsessive love, revenge, class, power, societal expectations, generational trauma
  • Accolades: a staple of gothic literature, named one of the best novels by The Guardian, BBC, Penguin, etc.

My Rating

I first read Wuthering Heights in high school and mostly just recall it feeling really dark and creepy–ghostly in a way that makes real life feel devious and haunting.

Gilmore Girls Episodes

Learn where this book on the Gilmore Girls reading list was referenced:

Season 4, Episode 10 (“The Nanny and the Professor”)Jason “Digger” Stiles says he owns it.

Best Quote

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

Book Review

Description

Wuthering Heights follows Heathcliff, an orphan raised at Wuthering Heights, whose complicated relationship with Catherine leads to a series of choices that divide families and shape the next generation. As the story unfolds through multiple narrators, the consequences of their actions echo long after their childhood ends.

Why It Matters on Gilmore Girls

Jason’s ownership of Wuthering Heights may be a reference to his own generational trauma —namely, his rift with his father, Floyd, which leaves them business antagonists for some time. Consider how this line of his reflects the shared theme of generational trauma: “I don’t hate him. I just don’t wanna be him.”

Who It’s Best For

Wuthering Heights is best for fans of gothic novels and dark romances with unlikable characters. It also works well for those who like to explore social class and expectations in their literature.

Reading Tips

  • Read my beginner’s guide to Wuthering Heights.
  • Watch the 2026 movie adaptation, but know that it focuses only on the first half and the obsessive love between Heathcliff and Catherine.
  • Learn the Wuthering Heights family tree — many character names are similar.
  • Want a juicy seasonal pairing? The ice-skating saga The Favorites by Layne Fargo is a widely beloved retelling that brings its own unique intensity to the tale of the duo Katarina and Heath.

Related Books to Read Next

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