Bleak House

by Charles Dickens

Dickens' grandest, most virtuosic achievement, Bleak House combines two the story of wealthy Lady Dedlock, recounted in the third person, and that of penniless Esther Summerson, told in her own words. The haughty noblewoman and the orphan are connected by the court case Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a tangle of disputed wills and disrupted inheritance that has tied up the High Court of Chancery for decades. Inspired by an actual court case that dragged on for more than 50 years, Dickens drew upon his own experiences as a law clerk and plaintiff to enliven his novel, which remains utterly contemporary in its portrait of a system invested in making business for itself at the expense of its plaintiffs. In addition to its complex and compelling portrayal of the English judiciary, Bleak House is also a brilliant detective story in which a police officer, Inspector Bucket, uncovers a richly plotted tale of secrets, murder, and mystery.

Genres: Classics, Literature

275 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2021

About the author

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.

Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.

Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.

On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Kathleen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, Dickens? You wrap up each and every character's story except Inspector Bucket (who I quite liked), and you can't wrap up that final sentence?

Mild complaints about the ending aside, this was a good one. I rank it above Nicholas Nickleby and Great Expectations for sure, maybe above A Tale of Two Cities although that could be just that it's been a few years since I read the latter and don't remember it as well.

There are some solid, admirable characters in here, including some of the side characters (you know Dickens leaves no shortage of side characters haha). Sometimes I wondered if John Jarndyce was allegorical - he's the loving father figure who adopts those who at least didn't have a right to him, and at worst outright reject him (he doesn't stop loving that one either).

Also, if you're going to read this I'd recommend the audio version by Sean Barrett and Theresa Gallagher - they do a really good job, and having one narrator for Esther's POV and one for the omniscient narrator's passages helps break things up/keep things straight. I'd also recommend watching the 2005 show as you read - with the exception of Caddy Jellyby, it is true to every character it portrays.

[Susan Turbié · Rating 5 out of 5]

This epic tale – about a complicated, LONG disputed will and the many people whose life it affects – ticks all the main Dickens boxes: contrived coincidences, blistering critiques of convoluted bureaucratic/legal processes, the evil shyster lawyers who exploit said processes to bleed poor, honest, ordinary people dry, abandoned orphans, people reunited with long-lost parents and sundry-assorted impoverished street urchins.
Told alternately by an omniscient narrator and the point of view of Esther Summerson, the heroine, the story, like all Dickens’s works, features a myriad of colourful characters, ranging from the angelic Esther to the pantomime villain lawyer, Tulkinghorn, and is part social critique, part tragic love story, part detective story.
Fantastic.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens is the Master of characters. Make a character map early. There are so many that it can make your head swim!

When it was dark and stormy, I felt the need to turn on another lamp. When a fire blazed out of control, I could smell the smoke and feel the ash. I got stuck in the mud and felt the wind when it came from the east.

I didn’t particularly love Esther Summerson; to be the main character, Dickens did not do her justice. That being said, her way of redeeming others or being always present when redemption happens was lovely.

Read this book. Take your time with making the connections—they can slip right past unnoticed.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is delightful. It's sweet and charming. A little convoluted but I as I was listening to the audiobook, I could imagine a 19th century audience hanging on every word, wondering who the bad guys are and if they'll be caught and what will happen next. It was adorable and I loved it. even the super cheesy happy ending.

[Gabriella Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for uni - thoroughly enjoyed this book as I’ve always loved dickens style. I loved all the subplots and the way dickens perfectly captured humanity in his characters.

[Jean Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens' finest work.