Black Spring by Alison Croggon

Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781921977480.
Using Wuthering Heights as a template, Croggon has mixed fantasy with this retelling of Bronte's Gothic classic. The structure is the same as in the original; the narrator is well developed as the housekeeper who grew up with the Cathy and Heathcliff characters, Lina, and Damek. She tells their story to the convalescing outsider from whose perspective the story unfolds. Technically the structure is well managed but the addition of witches (Lina is one) and a most disturbing system of vendetta seemed a distraction and the constraint of sticking to the original meant that these elements were not well integrated. Readers of Croggin's Pellinor series will read and enjoy this book, especially those who have not read Wuthering Heights, and it could be a useful opportunity for senior students to use it as a paired text to help them analyse the original.
Sue Speck