A wonderful and fascinating insight into hidden happenings at Wuthering Heights, from the perspective of Nelly Dean. Focusing on Nelly, a tantalising new world is opened up for the reader, one that joyfully holds hands with ‘Wuthering Heights’ yet remains a distinctive and beautiful read in its own right. Alison Case has gently and sensitively linked these two novels with a velvet ribbon of empathy and consideration. This story creeps into the background detail; the daily working of life in service and the moors and surroundings are all bought vibrantly to life. Hidden depths are revealed, heartrending secrets are spoken and a new panorama of understanding is offered for discovery. Whether or not you have devoured and loved ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Nelly Dean’ is a clever, enticing and stimulating must read. ~ Liz Robinson
Young Nelly Dean has been Hindley's closest companion for as long as she can remember, living freely at the great house, Wuthering Heights. But when the benevolence of the master brings a wild child into the house, Nelly learns she must follow in her mother's footsteps, be called "servant" and give herself over completely to the demands of the Earnshaw family. But Nelly is not the only one who finds her life disrupted by this strange newcomer. As death, illness, and passion sweep through the house, Nelly suffers heartache and betrayals at the hands of those she cherishes most, tempting her to leave it all behind. But when a new heir is born, a reign of violence begins that will test even Nelly's formidable spirit as she finds out what it is to know true sacrifice. Nelly Dean is a wonderment of storytelling and an inspired accompaniment to Emily Bronte's adored work. It is the story of a woman who is fated to bear the pain of a family she is unable to leave, and unable to save.
'Alison Case has cracked open Wuthering Heights and inserted into the gaps her own richly imagined story. In doing so she manages to pay homage to Emily Bronte without copying her. I never thought I needed more Wuthering Heights. Now I wonder how I could have been satisfied with only the original telling.' Tracy Chevalier
Author
About Alison Case
Alison Case received her BA from Oberlin College and her PhD in English Literature from Cornell University. A Professor of English at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, she has published two books and many articles on nineteenth-century British fiction and poetry. This is her first novel.
