The recent film adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ has caused quite a stir, with a star-studded cast and a flashy, romantic new take on Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel.
Since the announcement of the film, I’ve seen more and more new readers pick up the original novel. It is a dark and chaotic tale of revenge and abuse, centring around the toxic love between Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff.
Growing up with Cathy as practically a servant, Heathcliff is tormented and abused by Cathy’s other brother, Hindley. Cathy and Heathcliff become close as children, but she scorns the idea of marrying him, choosing instead to marry Edgar Linton, the son of a neighbouring middle-class family.
Heathcliff then begins a painful quest for revenge against Cathy, Hindley, Edgar and their relations which lasts for generations.
The novel is full of complicated characters and twisted storylines, all set against the backdrop of the cold, wild and bleak Yorkshire Moors. It’s a super atmospheric read, but not for the faint-hearted.
If you liked ‘Wuthering Heights’ and you’re looking for more dark, complicated novels full of drama, I can help! I’ve put together a list of 6 books that evoke the same mysterious, Gothic vibes as Brontë’s classic novel.
6 books to read if you liked ‘Wuthering Heights’
Here are 6 books if you liked ‘Wuthering Heights’. There are classics and modern retellings – all of them perfect for Brontë lovers.
1. ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
Known as the first modern science fiction novel, Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ tells the tale of a hideous monster, created from old body parts by Frankenstein, an amateur scientist.
This leads to disastrous consequences for Frankenstein. The monster curses Frankenstein for his pitiful and lonely existence, exacting revenge on Frankenstein and those around him.
Published roughly 30 years before ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Frankenstein’ is a dark, spooky and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of the Brontës.
There are also quite a few film adaptations of ‘Frankenstein’, including a 2025 version by director Guillermo del Toro. It even features ‘Wuthering Heights’ star Jacob Elordi in the role of the monster!
2. ‘Catherine’ by Essie Fox
If you can’t get enough of ‘Wuthering Heights’, why not read a retelling of Emily Brontë’s classic novel? I love retellings. They often give a new character a voice or provide a different outlook on the events of the original novel.
‘Catherine’ tells Cathy Earnshaw’s story, putting a new spin on the events of the original novel to create a dark and haunting tale for fans of ‘Wuthering Heights’.
The novel follows Heathcliff and Cathy as children, including their relationship with Hindley, Catherine’s abusive older brother. It also shows a different side to Cathy’s friendship and subsequent marriage to Edgar Linton.
For another great retelling, check out my book review of ‘New Boy’ by Tracy Chevalier.
3. ‘Jamaica Inn’ by Daphne Du Maurier
‘Jamaica Inn’ by Daphne Du Maurier is about a young woman, Mary Yellan, who moves to live with her Aunt and Uncle at Jamaica Inn, a dark and mysterious inn in the harsh, barren Cornish countryside.
Mary suspects her Uncle of smuggling on the coast, so the novel follows her quest to find out what is really happening in her new home. It also follows her budding romance with her Uncle’s younger brother, Jem, whom she also suspects of smuggling.
Daphne Du Maurier’s books are often set against the backdrop of Cornwall, with atmospheric, evocative descriptions of the raging sea and desolate countryside.
Similar to ‘Wuthering Heights’, which is set on the cold and blustery Yorkshire Moors, these descriptions perfectly reflect the turbulent events of the novel.
4. ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ by Anne Brontë
Maybe this is a bit of a cheat! But Emily’s sister, Anne, also wrote two fantastic novels. ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ follows Helen Graham, a woman who moves into Wildfell Hall alone with her son, Arthur, to escape an abusive marriage.
It is one woman’s search for financial and personal independence, written and set in a time when this was pretty much impossible for women.
For this reason and others, ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ is held up as a feminist masterpiece. Anne Brontë writes convincingly about alcoholism, marital problems and domestic abuse, despite living a relatively sheltered life with her family. It’s well worth a read if you loved ‘Wuthering Heights’.
5. ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde
I recommend ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ if you’re looking for a dark mystery, full of unlikable, complex and interesting characters.
Oscar Wilde’s novel follows a young man’s quest to stay young forever. He receives his wish to stay young and beautiful forever, while a portrait in his home slowly ages in his place.
While Dorian enjoys a life of pleasure, excess and corruption, his portrait becomes more and more disgusting – a reflection of his inner moral degradation.
The story is haunting and dark. Like ‘Wuthering Heights’, it’s about identity and the human condition, following a man who becomes increasingly drawn to committing evil acts. Albeit for very different reasons!
6. ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan
‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan is often held up as a modern classic. Published in 2001, the novel is set in the 1930s, World War Two and the present day.
Similar to ‘Wuthering Heights’, the love story at centre of the novel is between a middle-class woman and a working-class boy. Robbie went to Cambridge with Cecilia, but he is still treated like the housekeeper’s son by her family and friends.
While the setting for the novel is very different from ‘Wuthering Heights’, it’s full of similar themes, such as love, loss, grief, pain and the plight of the lower classes. It’s complicated and deep – and it tells the story of how much damage just one lie can do.
‘Atonement’ also has a star-studded film adaptation, including Keira Knightley as Cecilia and James McAvoy as Robbie.
Have you read or watched ‘Wuthering Heights’? Have you read any of these novels? What are you reading right now?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 