Bleak House in The Dusty Bookshelf

May 23, 2016 Gaijinmama rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, classics

I echo several other reviews when I say that this book took me three months to read, but it was definitely worth it. I love Dickens' descriptions, and all the weird, hilarious minor characters he created. I disagree with most, however, in that I truly came to dislike Esther, the only character who speaks to us directly. Everyone seems to love her, but she got on my nerves. Don't hate me, friends. I'm just expressing my opinion about a great work of literature. I know, I know, this is a classic o ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Apr 26, 2012 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

First of all, let me just say that I'm not exactly an unbiased source, here. I LOVE DICKENS. I read one of his books every year and I'm making my way through the whole catalogue of his novels. I even visited one of his houses when I was in London. (Awesome!) So when I say I loved it, well, I've loved all of them. Okay, except maybe my first, which was Great Expectations my freshman year of high school and it was a summer reading project with a teacher who wasn't passionate about the material, so First of all, let me just say that I'm not exactly an unbiased source, here. I LOVE DICKENS. I read one of his books every year and I'm making my way through the whole catalogue of his novels. I even visited one of his houses when I was in London. (Awesome!) So when I say I loved it, well, I've loved all of them. Okay, except maybe my first, which was Great Expectations my freshman year of high school and it was a summer reading project with a teacher who wasn't passionate about the material, so it went right over my head. However, I bet I'd love it if I read it now.

So. Bleak House. Full of Dickens usual tricks of the trade: long, drawn-out plotlines, often so thick and confusing you forget what's going on; in-depth, archetypal character portraits, sprinkled with a few very realistic ones; gorgeous, descriptive imagery and prose, often punctuated with a series of semi-colons; and delightful little moments of humor and wisdom.

Esther Summerson is an unfortunate orphan raised by an aunt and constantly told she was the realization of her mother's sin. Deprived of love, Esther grows up wishing to be the best person she could be, perhaps in order to be worth of love. At a still relatively young age, Esther is mysteriously whisked away to live with John Jarndyce, her new guardian, and a few young relations of Mr. Jarndyce's: Ada and Richard. Things seem very nice -- everyone gets along well (perhaps too well. . .Ada and Richard fall inauspiciously but hopelessly in love, don't you know) -- but there's always gloom lurking in the background. Mr. Jarndyce has been wrapped up in a case in Chancery (Dickens's scathing indictment of the law systems of Britain, probably a reflection of his own experiences with the courts and lawyers), all about to do with a Will and a huge amount of money. Mr. Jarndyce himself wants nothing to do with it and stays away from it as much as is humanly possible, with Esther helping him all along the way. However, Richard begins to take an unhealthy interest in the case, to the unease of all involved.

Happening concurrently is the story of Lady and Sir Leicester Dedlock, a boring and uneventful but immensely wealthy couple. Lady Dedlock, however, has something to hide, particularly from Sir Leicester and the wealthy circles in which she roams. Mr. Tulkinghorn, Mr. Guppy, and various other unseemly lawyers begin to suspect something by and bye. What are her secrets and will they come out? Of course, but all in good time. I.e., 500-700 pages.

I really can't say much more without giving away key plot points -- needless to say, this book is just chock full of those things that make Dickens's novels wonderful. It is a joy to read and this one was no exception. Even if you're not a Dickens fan, try it! This one is excellent and a perfect example of everything that is the epitome of Charles Dickens. ...more

Like · see review

May 19, 2008 Suey rated it really liked it

Wow! What an intricate story! Lots of people to keep track of. Once it got going though, I really enjoyed it. There were some slow chapters, and parts where I didn't understand what it had to do with anything, but overall, a wonderful story. ...more

Like · see review