Wuthering Heights Audiobook By Emily Brontë, Ann Dinsdale - introduction cover art

Wuthering Heights

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Wuthering Heights

By: Emily Brontë, Ann Dinsdale - introduction
Narrated by: Joanne Froggatt, Rachel Atkins - introduction
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Winner of Audible UK’s 2017 Narrator of the Year Award

In an Audible Exclusive production, Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt gives a powerhouse performance of Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë's only published novel. This edition features an exclusive introduction written by Ann Dinsdale, Chief Curator of the Brontë Museum.

About the book

The unapologetic intensity with which Emily Brontë wrote this story ensures that it will forever be considered one of the greatest works of English literature. A passionate tale of a chaotic and often violent love, Wuthering Heights transcends your average romance and, with its Gothic undertones, takes the listener on a journey through one man's lustful hunt for revenge.

Believing he has been spurned by Cathy Earnshaw, the only woman he has ever loved, Heathcliff abandons the wild moors of Wuthering Heights, fervently wishing to reestablish himself as the wealthy gentleman he believes Cathy seeks. Having been successful in his ventures, he later returns to the adoptive family who raised him and hungrily seeks to punish those who once rejected him.

In an exclusive introduction written for this edition by Ann Dinsdale, Chief Curator of the Bronte Museum, discover how critical and public opinion of Wuthering Heights has changed over time.

About the author

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Emily is said to have had the most unusual character of all the Brontë sisters. A reserved character with few close acquaintances outside her family circle, Emily's dark and passionate nature is clearly reflected in her tale. Having been the consummate lover of animals and nature, in this book she also set out to paint an unforgettable picture of the stark and imposing moors that she so enjoyed walking along.

Having developed a highly intelligent writing style, Emily ensures that the listener is emotionally involved throughout and often even a little horrified at the events that take place. A true work of art, Wuthering Heights surpasses expectation with its Gothic love scenes and desolate landscapes. Emily Brontë's only published work, it stands alone and will forever imprint itself upon the listener's memory.

About the narrator

Joanne Froggatt is an English stage, film and television actress who shot to fame after her engaging portrayal of Downton Abbey's Anna Bates. Also celebrated for her roles in Dinnerladies, A Street Cat Named Bob, Murder in the Outback and Liar, Joanne has now been acting for over 20 years and brings a wealth of expertise to her narratives. Having voiced an Alice in Wonderland series as well as Audible's 2017 Thriller of the Year, Silent Child, Joanne succeeds once more in delivering an incredibly engaging performance in this unique and exquisite adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.

Public Domain (P)2017 Audible Ltd Classics Women's Voices Feel-Good

Editorial review


By Mysia Haight, Audible Editor

WUTHERING HEIGHTS WILL HAUNT US FOREVER—AND HERE'S WHY

As a feminist with a passion for novels about complicated women written by brilliant women, I have always been fascinated by the Brontë sisters. Now universally acknowledged as literary geniuses, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne grew up in poverty and isolation in a parsonage in rural England, suffered the tragic early losses of their mother and two older sisters, struggled with their volatile alcoholic (and possibly opium-addicted) brother, and, sadly, died of illness young (Anne at 29, Emily at 30, and Charlotte at 38). What’s more, to get their writing taken seriously in the mid-1800s, these gifted women had to publish their novels under pseudonyms—Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell—so that critics and readers would assume they were the work of men.

Ever since my first encounter in high school, I have been a fan of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. But I only recently read Emily Brontë’s masterwork, and only published novel, Wuthering Heights. From a young age, I knew the story (or, at least, part of it) from seeing the 1939 film. As a 'tween way back in the pre-streaming days, I often scoured late-night TV listings for classic movies, and once stumbled upon Wuthering Heights. This acclaimed adaptation stars Merle Oberon—a rare beauty and remarkable actress—as Catherine Earnshaw, and she’s wonderful in the role. What kept me enthralled, however, is the character of Heathcliff, played by a young, hunky, and brooding Laurence Olivier. (Yes, the same actor who, decades later, played the sadistic Nazi torturer in Marathon Man.)

A few years ago, I revisited my beloved Jane Eyre through an audiobook, impeccably performed by Thandiwe Newton, and discovered deeper layers and strikingly relevant themes. Afterwards, I started thinking it was time to finally dive into Wuthering Heights. The audiobook is narrated by Joanne Froggatt, widely known as Downtown Abbey’s Anna Bates, which made reading with my ears the most appealing option.

While people tend to think of Wuthering Heights as a romance, it defies the genre’s defining expectation—a happily-ever-after ending. Yes, it features a thrilling love story between Heathcliff and Catherine, but that’s only the first half of the book (which many film adaptations, including the 1939 classic, present as the whole story). The second half of the book is about what happens after (spoiler alert!) Catherine’s death. In terms of its intense mood, its atmospheric setting (two grand estates, both situated on the wild, desolate moors of Yorkshire), and its supernatural elements, Wuthering Heights is pure gothic. And its primary focus isn’t forbidden passion or unrequited love—it’s Heathcliff’s quest for revenge.

Continue reading Mysia's review >

Featured Article: The top 100 classics of all time


Before we whipped out our old high school syllabi and dug deep into our libraries to start selecting contenders for this list, we first had to answer the question, "How do we define a classic?" The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might guess, though there’s a lot to be said for the old adage, "You know it when you see it" (or, in this case, hear it). Of course, most critically, each of our picks had to be fabulous in audio. So dust off your aspirational listening list—we have some amazing additions you don’t want to miss.

Featured Article The top 100 classics of all time
Gothic Masterpiece • Complex Characters • Haunting Atmosphere • Timeless Classic • Passionate Storytelling
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The only thing that redeems this book is the narrator. I had high expectations for Wuthering Heights because it is an esteemed literary classic, but it was an absolute horror to get through. The characters are terrible people, at times they made me so angry I had to stop listening. I would never recommend this book to anyone unless it was to have someone to vent to about it.

An absolute horror of a book

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I had little to no intro to this book and its backround until i started reading it. i only knew it to be a classic and thought it worth the read. i have to admit that it has left me incredibly disturbed. However, there can be no argument that Emily Bronte showed great skill in the writing of it. It is incredibly well done, even with the story being as dark and cold as it is. it was also performed beautifully.

Cold and dark but beautifully written

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I had always looked forward to reading this book, but I am greatly disappointed. Why someone would write about these two awful characters is beyond me. Entirely selfish people and incredibly rude. I do not understand the love felt for anyone in this book except the house maid honestly.

Disappointed

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I sobbed when 12-years-old. 55 years later I mourn the wasted lives on the moor

The Gentry: Depression, Unrequited Love, Moors

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I remember liking this book very much in my first encounter with it, when I read it to myself some thirty-five years ago. I seem to recall enjoying the atmosphere, thinking it spookily romantic or some such. Ah, youth.

This time around in this particular medium I can't say I found it any great shakes at all. Heathcliff is an abominable human being, and Catherine (in either incarnation) isn't much better. Both are complete moral imbeciles--and despite being wicked to the core, which you might think would lend their personalities some complicating oomph--their destructive relationship is merely dreary, with little psychological intrigue or philosophical challenge to recommend it. I also found it terribly overlong.

As for the brilliant narrator--good God, somebody give that woman a medal. She's clearly a great, great talent to begin with, and in this case her virtuoso performance was the only thing that kept me listening to the miserable, dreary end.

Fine performance, barely tolerable story

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Beautifully and captivatingly depicted by Joanne Frogatt. Everytime I revisit this story I am spellbound again. Star crossed lovers that death can't divide. It is a devastatingly sad story, but hauntingly beautiful. You will be transported to the moors and forever marked by the love and intensity of Heathcliff and Cathy. Hopefully you never experience their tragedy, but some part of you will wish you had experienced an ounce of their passion.
#Addiction #ComingOfAge #SiblingStories #VoicesFromTheGrave #TorturedHero #tagsgiving and #sweepstakes

Timeless Love Story

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Possibly the best read book I’ve ever listened to on audible thus far. You won’t be disappointed

Incredible performance

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not a very uplifting story, but the narrator did very well. I've always dreaded reading Joseph accent, but I loved hearing the reader's interpretation.

very well done. love the yorkshire accent. not

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Quite a sad and frustrating book, with an overall happy ending. The reader appeared talented at creating different voices for different characters.

good reading, unfortunate story

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I will never understand an audiobook narrated by someone with an accent. Its distracting and annoying. The story is a classic, and because of the horrific accent, I’ve technically had listen to it twice.

Great story, terrible narration.

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