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From School Library Journal

April 12, 2024

Gr 8 Up-This novel vividly and poetically portrays the power of human emotion through its story of a passion that transcends life and death-the passion between Catherine and Heathcliff. The two meet as children when Catherine's father brings Heathcliff home to join the family under mysterious circumstances. Catherine and Heathcliff eventually fall in love, but Catherine marries another man who is more fitting for her station in life. Her brother Hindley's hatred of Heathcliff sets up additional circumstances that have long-term consequences for each character and their children. Love is a universal theme and is an accessible concept for teens. The characters suffer these emotions and allow readers to explore the relationships between emotion and action, and action and consequence. One of the novel's strengths lies in the contrasting voice of reason and moral conscience provided by the narrator. In light of its setting in male-dominated 19th-century England, the novel contains surprising portrayals of strong-willed, educated, independent women. Although students will have to work through the cadence of the 1800s British English, once Nelly starts her tale, they will not want to leave. Teachers and students alike will enjoy comparing the plethora of YA retellings. (This review was created using content from the educator-created book rationale available in NCTE's rationale database. Used with permission.)VERDICT This book needs to be on every classics shelf.-Heather Lassley

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Publisher's Weekly

June 13, 2005
The main drama in Bronte's novel happens in a long narrative told by an elderly housekeeper to a convalescing new tenant. This story-within-a-story setup makes it well suited for audio adaptation, as Scales takes the housekeeper's part and relates the past, while West performs as the tenant and describes the present. Scales primarily uses a folksy lower-class accent, but she also makes her voice harsh and threatening when speaking as Heathcliff, the surly man at the novel's heart. West, as the bewildered tenant, manages to sound both nervous and pretentious, but his part is fairly small, especially with this abridgment, so he mostly serves to provide transitions for the housekeeper's story. The extensive abridgment generally deletes sentences and phrases rather than entire paragraphs or sections. One drawback for the audio format is the difficulty of clarifying the novel's convoluted plot and family tree, since it's harder to search back through long CD tracks than through earlier chapters of the paperback. While a little of the depth of Bronte's writing is lost in abridgment, the novel's emotional core remains intact and wrenching, and the actors' heartfelt interpretations make it easy to imagine being curled up by a warm fire listening to an absorbing tale. In June, Penguin Audio remastered and released on CD for the first time nine other Penguin Classics: Crime and Punishment, Dracula, Frankenstein, Great Expectations, Jane Eyre, Moby Dick, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Tale of Two Cities.

From School Library Journal

August 24, 2000
Gr 8 Up-British actor Martin Shaw reads this shortened version of the classic Emily Bronte novel. His easily-understood accent is appropriate and helps to set the mood. Shaw reads at a very steady pace, pausing effectively for emphasis or when his character might be thinking. Usually calm and gentle, his voice can resonate with anger or other emotion when necessary. There is some differentiation in pitch to emphasize male vs. female speech, but it is not exaggerated or overdone. The abridgement retains Bronte's words linking speech or narration sometimes from one page to another. It provides students with an easier way to become familiar with the story and get a feel for her style. Teachers could use this presentation to introduce the novel or to entice students to read it on their own.-Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From AudioFile Magazine

Emily Bront''s sorrowful story of doomed romance between two childhood friends finds its voice in Anne Flosnik's narration. The diverse range of characters in this classic could present a difficult challenge for a sole narrator, but Flosnik conquers it with alacrity and enthusiasm. She masterfully alters her voice for each character and maintains keen attention to the varied British accents. Without being overly dramatic, Flosnik inserts passion into the dialogue and vividly conveys Bront''s imagery. She captures the cruel infatuation of Heathcliff and the dramatic ranting of his beloved Catherine. Alternately, Flosnik delivers the humble narration of maidservant Nellie in kind, measured tones. Overall, Flosnik draws listeners into the story, interweaving passionate lamentation with articulate narration. D.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine