I just finished reading the masterpiece Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, published in 1847. I can absolutely see why this novel is considered a classic. The forbidden romance, the rigid social class system, the jealousy, the prejudice, the revenge, and the generational trauma are all woven together so intensely. And the violence in this book was honestly shocking. I could not believe how common it seemed to be in the 1800s.
What Perspective Is Wuthering Heights Written From?
One thing I really loved was how the story is told through the eyes of a maidservant, Ellen Dean. The way she recounts the history of this family and comments on each character makes her bias very clear. You can feel her judgments, sympathies, and frustrations throughout the novel, which adds so much depth to the storytelling.
When Is the Wuthering Heights Movie Coming Out?
I am also extremely excited about the upcoming Wuthering Heights movie adaptation coming in 2026, starring Margot Robbie as Cathy, Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, and Hong Chau as Nelly. I cannot wait to see how Emerald Fennell, serving as both director and writer, chooses to represent this iconic Gothic romance and its dark themes. The film is set to be released on February 13, 2026 in the United States, with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes, or 136 minutes.
Book Recommendations With Similar Themes to Wuthering Heights
Now, onto the book recommendations. I only included books that I have personally read and that reminded me of Wuthering Heights in theme, tone, or emotional impact.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (for the same time period)
Of course, I had to include one of the most famous love stories of all time. Both Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights are set in the early 1800s and focus heavily on how love could either help or destroy your family’s reputation. Marriage during this time was transactional, strategic, and deeply tied to social class.
Pride and Prejudice is a classic romance set in early 19th century England that follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates love, family expectations, and rigid social class rules. When the wealthy and emotionally reserved Mr. Darcy enters her life, first impressions and misunderstandings get in the way of what could be something real.
At its core, this novel explores how pride, prejudice, and reputation can shape relationships, especially in a society where marriage is often more about status than love. Witty, sharp, and surprisingly emotional, Pride and Prejudice shows how personal growth and self awareness can completely change the course of a love story.
A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum (for family and generational trauma)
Violence and trauma are central themes in both books. You can compare how each female generation is manipulated and abused within their societal structures. These stories are difficult to read, but they feel painfully realistic within their historical settings. Both books are absolutely worth reading, and this is one I still think about often.
A Woman Is No Man is a powerful and emotionally heavy novel that follows three generations of Palestinian American women as they navigate life inside a deeply patriarchal household. The story centers on Isra, a young woman who enters an arranged marriage hoping for love, only to find herself trapped by control, abuse, and impossible expectations of motherhood and obedience.
Told across multiple timelines and perspectives, the novel explores generational trauma, cultural pressure, and the silence forced onto women who are taught to endure rather than escape. A Woman Is No Man is a difficult but necessary read, showing how cycles of abuse are passed down and how breaking free often comes at an unbearable cost. It is heartbreaking, realistic, and stays with you long after you finish the last page.
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (for the family mystery)
This book is suspenseful in its own way. Like Wuthering Heights, the story follows a single point of view as events unfold. In Wuthering Heights, you only know pieces of the family history at first, but through Nelly, the reader slowly uncovers the truth. Both stories feature complicated family dynamics and secrets, where each lie pushes the narrative closer to its conclusion.
The Mother-in-Law is a domestic suspense novel that starts with the death of Diana Goodwin, a cold, wealthy, and emotionally distant mother in law whose passing raises more questions than answers. When she is found dead under suspicious circumstances, her relationship with her daughter in law Lucy immediately comes under scrutiny.
Told through dual timelines, the story slowly unravels Diana’s past, her strained family dynamics, and the secrets she kept hidden behind her rigid exterior. As Lucy tries to grieve a woman who never truly welcomed her, the novel explores motherhood, resentment, family expectations, and the quiet damage caused by emotional neglect. Tense, layered, and surprisingly emotional, The Mother in Law keeps you guessing while revealing how complicated love within families can be.
The Shepherd King Duology by Rachel Gillig (for the Gothic romance)
This recommendation is all about the vibes. The settings in both books are deeply Gothic, filled with misty hills, isolation, and gloomy atmospheres. Even though the Sheppard duology falls under the fantasy genre, its darkness and emotional intensity make it perfect for fans of Emily Brontë and classic Gothic literature.
The Shepherd King Duology is a dark fantasy romance set in a haunting world ruled by gods, curses, and fear. The story follows Elspeth Spindle, a young woman hiding a dangerous secret. There is a monster living in her head, ancient, powerful, and slowly taking control. Survival means secrecy, especially in a kingdom where magic is punished and mistrusted.
As Elspeth becomes entangled with a group of rebels led by the mysterious Ravyn Yew, the story unfolds into one of eerie forests, cursed magic, and uneasy alliances. Across both books, the duology explores obsession, isolation, faith, and the cost of power. With its moody atmosphere, morally gray characters, and slow burning tension, The Shepherd King Duology is perfect for readers who love Gothic vibes, dark romance, and stories that feel unsettling in the best way possible.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (for the childhood friendships)
Yearning and friendship take center stage here. If you love stories about childhood friends turned lovers, this book delivers. The characters share the same toxic jealousy that only young people can experience. Childhood adventures, memories made before reality sets in, and the possibility of a second chance are all themes these books have in common.
Every Summer After is an emotional second chance romance about first love, heartbreak, and the kind of memories that never really leave you. The story follows Persephone Fraser and Sam Florek, who spend six unforgettable summers growing up together at a lakeside town, slowly falling in love in that intense, all consuming way only teenagers can.
But one mistake changes everything, and Percy stays away for years. When she finally returns to the lake as an adult, she is forced to confront the past she ran from and the love she never truly got over. Told through alternating timelines between then and now, the novel explores nostalgia, regret, and whether first love deserves a second chance. Tender, bittersweet, and full of yearning, Every Summer After is perfect for readers who love childhood friends to lovers and emotionally driven romance.
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald (for social class differences)
She is rich and he is poor. She is married and he is yearning. He becomes rich and lives as her neighbor. Both stories end tragically, and both are considered literary classics that explore obsession, wealth, and the destructive nature of love across social classes.
The Great Gatsby is a classic novel set during the Roaring Twenties that explores wealth, obsession, and the illusion of the American Dream. The story is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who becomes drawn into the glamorous and mysterious world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, a man known for his extravagant parties and endless longing for one woman.
That woman is Daisy Buchanan, beautiful, wealthy, and already married. Gatsby’s entire life revolves around winning her back and recreating a past that no longer exists. As the novel unfolds, it exposes the deep divide between old money and new money, love and possession, and dreams versus reality. Tragic, haunting, and deeply symbolic, The Great Gatsby shows how desire and social class can destroy even the most carefully constructed fantasies.
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover (for a toxic relationship)
First of all, yes, I know this is a Colleen Hoover book. But if you are looking for a toxic, intense, and emotionally messy relationship, this one fits. In both novels, the romantic relationships are chaotic for very different reasons. Each story explores emotional damage and how unresolved trauma shapes love.
Ugly Love is an intense romance that centers on Tate Collins and Miles Archer, two people who enter a relationship built on strict rules and emotional distance. Miles wants a purely physical connection with no questions about the past and no expectations for the future, while Tate agrees even though she knows it will hurt.
As the story unfolds through alternating timelines, the novel slowly reveals Miles’s devastating past and the trauma that has shaped his inability to love. Ugly Love explores emotional damage, grief, and the way unresolved pain can turn relationships toxic. Messy, heartbreaking, and deeply emotional, this book leans into the idea that love is not always beautiful and sometimes it hurts before it heals.
Final Thoughts: How Wuthering Heights Themes Still Show Up in Books Today
I am really glad I picked up Wuthering Heights. There were definitely moments where I thought, “I wish I had subtitles,” especially when Jacob was talking, but seeing how written language has evolved over time is fascinating. This book will live rent free in my head, especially because of how easily its themes connect to modern life and modern storytelling.
What stood out to me the most was Ellen Dean’s perspective on this household. Even with all her bias, her narration adds so much depth to the story and shapes how we understand every character and their choices. That layered storytelling is something we still see in books today, especially in novels that deal with complicated families and unreliable perspectives.
More than anything, Wuthering Heights proves that themes like obsessive love, passion, greed, revenge, social class, and generational trauma are truly timeless. Whether it is a Gothic classic or a contemporary novel, these emotional threads continue to show up in the stories we love. That is why it is so easy to find modern books with similar themes, even centuries after Emily Brontë first published this unforgettable novel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wuthering Heights and Similar Books
What are the main themes in Wuthering Heights?
The main themes in Wuthering Heights include obsessive love, generational trauma, revenge, social class, and the destructive nature of unchecked passion. The novel also explores how abuse and emotional neglect can echo across generations, shaping every relationship that follows.
Is Wuthering Heights considered a Gothic romance?
Yes, Wuthering Heights is a classic example of Gothic romance. It features a dark and isolated setting, intense emotions, morally flawed characters, and themes of obsession and doom. These elements are why it continues to influence modern Gothic and dark romance books.
Why do readers still relate to Wuthering Heights today?
Even though it was published in the 1800s, the emotional core of Wuthering Heights feels modern. Themes like toxic relationships, generational trauma, and longing are still very present in contemporary books. That emotional intensity is what keeps new readers discovering and connecting with the story.
Are there modern books similar to Wuthering Heights?
Yes, many modern novels explore similar themes, including dark romance, complicated family dynamics, and emotionally destructive relationships. Books that focus on obsession, trauma, and social class often appeal to readers who loved Wuthering Heights.