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Review: Catherine by April Lindler

9780316196925

True love never dies in this modern retelling of one of literature’s most haunting star-crossed romances, the Emily Brontë classic Wuthering Heights.

A forbidden romance. A modern mystery. Wuthering Heights as you’ve never seen it before.
Catherine is tired of struggling musicians befriending her just so they can get a gig at her Dad’s famous Manhattan club, The Underground. Then she meets mysterious Hence, an unbelievably passionate and talented musician on the brink of success. As their relationship grows, both are swept away in a fiery romance. But when their love is tested by a cruel whim of fate, will pride keep them apart?

Chelsea has always believed that her mom died of a sudden illness, until she finds a letter her dad has kept from her for years — a letter from her mom, Catherine, who didn’t die: She disappeared. Driven by unanswered questions, Chelsea sets out to look for her — starting with the return address on the letter: The Underground.
Told in two voices, twenty years apart, Catherine interweaves a timeless forbidden romance with a compelling modern mystery.

 April Lindler takes on Wuthering Heights, transporting readers of the classic to New York.As a fan of the original, I really liked reading this modern take.

I was expecting one or two things that happened in the Bronte novel to happen in Catherine that HAD happened in Wuthering Heights and did not occur, but that’s the best part about the writing. Lindler is retelling a classic story, but not letting it rule the characters and stop them from their own lives.

I did not like Hence from the beginning, despite wanting to like him. I kept trying to find something redeeming in Catherine’s point of view chapters, but did not in Chelsea’s point of view—and I guess that can be due to the fact they each see him a bit differently. While there were a few bright spots, I really wanted him to just fall off the Brooklyn Bridge.

Chelsea was interesting. I kept wanting her to uncover a deeper mystery. She’s smart, and I had hoped she would see who was the one that was responsible for her missing mother, but it would appear that she had rose-colored glasses. To be fair, if you thought your mother disappeared, you would be looking for a mother, not a body.

I saw the ending coming from miles away. I was a little disappointed, but a little happy when I was proven right. I guess there is a fine line between the two.

Overall, I was very happy with the book, and I think it would be a great parallel read with Wuthering Heights, as Catherine is readable and believable and something I have no problem recommending.

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher (Hatchette Book Group) and Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review—I received no compensation.

The hardcover is 320 pages, and comes out today! The ISBN is 9780316196925 and the book is available from most retailers.

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