THERE have been many re-workings of Wuthering Heights over the years - from Heathcliff the Musical, written by and starring Cliff Richard as the brooding anti-hero, to a film version set in medieval Japan.
Now Emily Bronte’s masterpiece is given a new twist, in a historical novel re-imagining the events of Heathcliff’s three-year absence from the plot of Wuthering Heights. In the novel, Heathcliff returns transformed as a wealthy gentleman.
Heathcliff’s Fortune, by Gordon Howdle, is inspired by the author’s interest in British involvement in the Indian subcontinent, particularly the East India Company. The book follows Heathcliff’s journey to India and his life overseas.
In late summer 1780 Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights after overhearing Catherine, the girl he has grown up with, say that it would degrade her to marry him. He takes with him an amulet; his only possession when he was found as a child urchin in Liverpool. When he wears it, the amulet seems to bring him luck.
Heathcliff walks to Liverpool, from where he travels to India as a deck hand on a ship of the East India Company. On arrival in Madras, he finds work, love and wealth - but will his luck last?
Gordon Howdle is a chartered structural and civil engineer and, before retiring, was senior partner in a consulting engineering practice. He has a lifelong interest in the history of the East India Company, with particular focus on Robert Clive, Lord Clive of India. Says Gordon: “Heathcliff is one of the best known characters in English literature. Central to the plot of Emily Bronte’s novel is that, in a very short period of time, Heathcliff was transformed from a rough farm boy to a wealthy gentleman. Because of my knowledge of how vast fortunes were made by Englishmen in 18th century India through the East India Company, it seemed an obvious, attractive and credible plot to explain how he acquired his wealth.The events and characters in the book are well researched and accurately reflect the activities of the East India Company in India at the time.”
Heathcliff’s Fortune is due to be published on January 28, 2024 by the Book Guild Ltd. Visit bookguild.co.uk
* FROM the mid-20th century, no other musical instrument developed faster or had a greater impact than the electric guitar. In Britain, young people became enthralled by its look and the sound, leading many to take up the guitar. Several dozen mastered the instrument sufficiently to gain international recognition, enjoying careers spanning decades.
In British Guitarists 1952-1972 - Electric Pioneers, Yorkshireman Peter Tuffrey explores the history of the pioneering British guitarists - their backgrounds, careers and instruments. The beautifully presented hardback is filled with photographs of legendary and inspirational guitarists and the equipment they used, along detailed profiles and exclusive interviews.
The book examines musicians that were part of a first wave of new popular music in the second half of the 20th century. It looks at the evolution of the guitarist’s equipment and how this has impacted on the music.
Guitarists featured include Martin Barre, Syd Barrett, Jeff Beck, Marc Bolan, Joe Brown, Eric Clapton, Dave Davies, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Frampton, Robert Fripp, David Gilmour, Peter Green, George Harrison, John Lennon, Hank Marvin, Tony McPhee, Jimmy Page, Mike Pender, Keith Richards, Mick Ronson, Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.
Peter Tuffrey has enjoyed the sound of the electric guitar since the 1950s. He worked in the guitar, amplifier and effects industry from 2003-2010 and became familiar with manufacturers in the UK, Europe and America. He met many owners of guitar companies and leading players, techs and dealers.
British Guitarists 1952-1972 - Electric Pioneers is published by Great Northern Books. Call (01274) 735056 or visit gnbooks.co.uk
* DAVID Jacinto’s ancestors, like many Europeans in the mid-19th century, were drawn to what Abraham Lincoln called “the last best hope on earth” when they reached the shores of America.
It was thanks to a child coal miner, who rose from poverty and tragedy to start a new life across the Atlantic, that David has enjoyed a successful career in California, where he lives today.
Discovering the story of his ancestors from Yorkshire inspired David to write Out of the Darkness, a gripping new novel about a family which fought against child labour, leading to legislation that made industrial history.
In 1837, seven-year-old Thomas Wright followed his family into the coal mine. He worked 12-hour days, six days a week in total darkness, 500ft below ground, until one of England’s worst pit disasters changed his life.
Huskar Pit was a coal mine on the South Yorkshire Coalfield, sunk to work the Silkstone seam. On 4 July 1838 a violent storm disabled the winding engine on the vertical shaft. Miners stranded in the pit were told to remain until they could be brought to the surface, but a group of children tried to escape through a side tunnel.
A stream through nearby Nabs Wood had burst its banks and the torrent swept into the mine shaft, drowning 26 children aged seven to 17. The children were buried together in the churchyard at Silkstone. The disaster shocked the public and an inquiry led to the 1842 Mines Act which introduced some protection for child miners.
Out of the Darkness is the story of a boy overcoming an iron-fisted lord of the land, who not only owned the coal mines and the miner’s villages, but the mortgage on their lives. With the help of his family, Thomas confronts the tyrannical system of industrial slavery and a society that fostered working-class oppression. The book follows Tom from poverty to a brilliant career, his love for a strong-willed woman and his fight to end industrial slavery.
In the mid-1800s Thomas Wright set off for a new life in America, leaving a great legacy. His seven-year-old great, great, great, great grandson Cole is pictured on the front cover of the book.
David Jacinto was the first in his family to go to university, to do a degree in civil engineering. He was a president of SM Engineering Company and held leadership roles in several national and international companies in California.
Out of the Darkness is published by Simon & Schuster. Visit simonandschuster.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here