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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a beautiful reimagining of Wuthering Heights, that brings greater truth and insight to both Heathcliff and Catherine by leaning into the insinuations of the original. We are meant to assume Heathcliff was likely biracial, the son of an Indian sailor or even the illegitimate child of Mr. Earnshaw, in Bronte's telling, but it is unexplored on page, given the white gaze of both author and narrator. In What Souls Are Made Of, Suri expands this assumption, weaves a compelling and believable backstory for it, and brings Catherine into this alternative narrative as well. By doing so, she shines light on the racism, misogyny, and complexity of family and heritage beneath the surface of the original and elevates the story for a new generation of readers.
Fittingly, Suri's entire storyline takes place in the gap years where Heathcliff disappears in Bronte's narrative, imagining how both Heathcliff and Catherine might have found themselves on different paths, had they only confronted their own trauma and set themselves on paths to healing. We see again and again the path we know these characters took in another, parallel telling, and find relief and joy that they can choose differently in this telling. Suri also gives voice to both Heathcliff and Catherine, making them first-person narrators, dissolving the barriers of Bronte's intentionally distant narrative.
Lovers of Wuthering Heights will appreciate how deeply Suri is engaging with the original story and expanding it in ways that enter into conversation with Bronte's world and our own in meaningful ways.
Fittingly, Suri's entire storyline takes place in the gap years where Heathcliff disappears in Bronte's narrative, imagining how both Heathcliff and Catherine might have found themselves on different paths, had they only confronted their own trauma and set themselves on paths to healing. We see again and again the path we know these characters took in another, parallel telling, and find relief and joy that they can choose differently in this telling. Suri also gives voice to both Heathcliff and Catherine, making them first-person narrators, dissolving the barriers of Bronte's intentionally distant narrative.
Lovers of Wuthering Heights will appreciate how deeply Suri is engaging with the original story and expanding it in ways that enter into conversation with Bronte's world and our own in meaningful ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Child abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
a_manning11's review
Just too slow and gloomy for me to continue right now. Maybe in future?
raelin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Do not read or reread the original before reading this. I did and it made reading this worse. Not better. Of the remixes of this series I have read so far, this is the worst. If I had not read the original right before this I really would have enjoyed it more. They changed the core characteristics of Cathy and Heathcliff so much it was alarming. As a stand alone story I would have found this more compelling, rather than as a remix. Maybe after a little time has past I won’t be so annoyed, but as of just finishing I am.
speculativeshelves's review
4.0
Really loved what Tasha Suri did with this reimagining of Wuthering Heights. Her writing is beautiful and captured the atmosphere/vibes of gothic romance perfectly. This book also does a brilliant job at taking themes that were present in the original - trauma, identity, loss, etc. - but also mixing them with history of British imperialism and South Asian diaspora.
I loved the dual first person POV structure and how Heathcliff and Catherine's separate journeys in this book mirrored each other. It was a beautiful way of telling this story and I appreciated how this gives these characters a more hopeful ending when compared to the original.
I loved the dual first person POV structure and how Heathcliff and Catherine's separate journeys in this book mirrored each other. It was a beautiful way of telling this story and I appreciated how this gives these characters a more hopeful ending when compared to the original.
animar19's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wonderful remix of Wuthering Heights. The writing is beautiful through and through. I think it does pay to be familiar with the original Wuthering Heights going in though
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
3.75
To be honest, I don't remember shit about Wuthering Heights so I have no idea if it's true to the classic or not. The only vibe I remember from the Bronte work is that I hated that weird couple and wanted them to break up and leave each other alone and that def does not come thru in this novel. I was rooting for these two little freaks so much. They're legit cute and I was not expecting that.
Also, this book def gives Six of Crows vibes when Heathcliff is in Liverpool or whatever. Like that's baby Kaz Breker and you can't tell me otherwise.
I liked it, it's a great casual read.
Also, this book def gives Six of Crows vibes when Heathcliff is in Liverpool or whatever. Like that's baby Kaz Breker and you can't tell me otherwise.
I liked it, it's a great casual read.
darthchrista's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
The OG Wuthering Heights sounds like not a good hang, but this was definitely a hopeful twist.