Bleak House: Chapters 1 - 10

[Luffy Sempai]

Sara wrote: "Looks like we will have a great group again this time. Thank you, Jean for the background and warning. I have read this before, but I find there is more a general memory of the book than any specif..."

I know you are far from a Dickens newbie. Will look forward to your contributions! :)

[Natalie]

Hi! I'm excited to be joining the group.

Based on previous experiences with a few books by Dickens, I did not think I was a fan, but then we read The Old Curiosity Shop in the Catching up on the Classics group and I loved it!

Sara recommended this group and I'm excited to experience another work of Dickens with such enthusiastic readers! I like the format of discussing one chapter a day. That sounds great!

Thank you for all that wonderful background information Jean!

I will also be listening to the Simon Vance version on Audible. He's one of my favorite narrators so I was thrilled to discover he was the reader. Thanks for the warnings on the preface! I will also be using an ebook on Kindle. I've found it's helpful to have that open for highlighting and notes. :)

[Luffy Sempai]

Natalie wrote: "Hi! I'm excited to be joining the group.

Based on previous experiences with a few books by Dickens, I did not think I was a fan, but then we read The Old Curiosity Shop in the Catching up on the ..."

You have changed my mind. I think I will read the book for some parts while listening to the audiobook.

Remember that we both have been disappointed by Dickens before. The Old Curiosity shop is far shorter than Bleak House. If I am bored by the book I will say so. Hope you do too if you feel the same way.

[Natalie]

Luffy - I will definitely state my opinion. ;)

I think part of why I liked The Old Curiosity Shop was because I went in with zero expectations. I was expecting to hate it. I'm coming into Bleak House with higher expectations, so we'll see if that changes anything.

I love the slower pace. That's how I prefer reading books of this sort.

[Luffy Sempai]

Natalie wrote: "Luffy - I will definitely state my opinion. ;)

I think part of why I liked The Old Curiosity Shop was because I went in with zero expectations. I was expecting to hate it. I'm coming into Bleak H..."

I too need the company and the slower pace. I think Bleak House is overall a good book, it's just that it has the feel of a writer that comes second or third in any type of writing he (Dickens) endeavors. What I am trying to say is that, Dickens, at one point, no longer had that inimitable style that made him very famous. But of course, I expect good things from Bleak House.

[Bridget]

I’m joining in too. Looking forward to reading Dickens again with everyone!

[Luffy Sempai]

Bridget wrote: "I’m joining in too. Looking forward to reading Dickens again with everyone!"

Oh, a seasoned reader! Your experience will be invaluable to us.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Luffy wrote: "Mostly native English persons reading Bleak House ..."

English as a first language yes, but so far of those we have English, Scottish, Canadian, American and Australian members joining in for this read, all with their own cultures and idiomatic language.

For English as their second language so far we have (as you point out) Mauritian, and Italian and also Turkish (Nisa :)) We have several Italian members who might join in, also French, Dutch, Austrian and Indian members who I'm hopeful will be joining us. Some countries - especially in Europe - actually have more in common with English traditions than some who speak English, such as America, so we really are a great mix :) We have several different religions represented too - not all the same as Charles Dickens's.

This is why I write such detailed summaries, Luffy, as it's a recognised fact that Charles Dickens's language can sometimes be extremely tortuous; more so than other Victorian writers. But the rewards are great!

What we all have in common is a love of these books, and a wish to share them - plus none of us actually live in the 19th century ;)

Just a heads-up as we are gathering together, that we will be quite a diverse group, including scholars and beginners, and I'll try to steer a middle course so we all get a lot out of it.

Welcome to everybody so far! It's lovely to see you :)

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Mostly native English persons reading Bleak House ..."

English as a first language yes, but so far of those we have English, Scottish, Canadian, American and Australian, all with the..."

Thank you, Jean, for that elucidation. English is the official language of Mauritius. Our National Anthem is in English.

Do you know what is the official language of the UK and the US? They don't have any. The language is so ingrained in the culture that there is no need to make it official. England have 58 million speakers of English, and the US have 215 million.

Germany have English as a second or foreign language, but 80% of their peer reviewed and scientific papers are in English. 80% of the internet's content is in English. Today English is even more of a global language than when England had gone colonial.

I like exploring languages, but English is so vast a medium. Good luck with finding a single word in Hindi for 'solipsism' e.g.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Thanks Luffy. Yes, I knew that, but terminology is misleading isn't it? A country's official language is not the first language of most of its inhabitants, as you will know. There are countless examples; one country with 600 separate languages has English as its "official" language. It's all historical, and largely now political.

But this is all by the by, and this thread is not the place to discuss it further. Please feel free to discuss it in Mrs. Dickens parlour though. My post was to ensure that you do not feel you are on your own. We may not have any other French Creole/French speakers at the moment, but hang in there :)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Six days to go everyone. Who else is in?

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Thanks Luffy. Yes, I knew that, but terminology is misleading isn't it? A country's official language is not the first language of most of its inhabitants, as you will know. There are countless exa..."

Duly noted. Thanks for interacting with me in such a heady but comfy way. I appreciate it.

[Donna]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Six days to go everyone. Who else is in?"

I’ll be reading with you also. I’m new to the group but Bleak House is on my list to read this year. Looking forward to it!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Brilliant! Do introduce yourself in our welcome thread if you like Donna, so we can get to know you :)

[Luffy Sempai]

Donna wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "Six days to go everyone. Who else is in?"

I’ll be reading with you also. I’m new to the group but Bleak House is on my list to read this year. Looking forward to it!"

Looking forward to sharing thoughts with you. Hope every volunteer responds present.

[Werner]

I'm planning on joining in, and looking forward to it very much!

[Luffy Sempai]

Werner wrote: "I'm planning on joining in, and looking forward to it very much!"

Hi Werner! Wish you good continuation with all your books.

[Kathleen]

I'm definitely excited about my first read of Bleak House and my first long-read with the group! The introduction to the book and the plan and Dickens life were so helpful, Jean--thank you.

I also finished The Old Curiosity Shop recently and loved it. I had a thought this might be too much Dickens, but apparently not, because I picked up another to read in between: Charles Dickens: a pictorial biography. Instead of being tired of him, I feel like I'm just warming up, so looking forward to this!

[Luffy Sempai]

Kathleen wrote: "I'm definitely excited about my first read of Bleak House and my first long-read with the group! The introduction to the book and the plan and Dickens life were so helpful, Jean--thank you.

I also..."

Welcome Kathleen! You are a real fan of Dickens. I am just an amateur but I'm invested in this book which has different narrative styles.

[Werner]

Luffy wrote: "Hi Werner! Wish you good continuation with all your books."

Thanks, Luffy!

[Jim]

I'm all set to join in on the reading of Bleak House, a book I haven't read since my teens, so it will be like an entirely new book to me.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Hello, Jean... I will be joining in again as well. I can't wait to start. I bought myself the 1977 Norton Critical Edition in December, and it's been drumming its fingers, waiting for me to open it. LOL I know this is going to be another great experience with the Dickensians! Thank you for all you do.

[Luffy Sempai]

Werner wrote: "Luffy wrote: "Hi Werner! Wish you good continuation with all your books."

Thanks, Luffy!"

You're welcome!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Natalie wrote: "Thank you for all that wonderful background information Jean! ..."

Kathleen wrote: "The introduction to the book and the plan and Dickens life were so helpful, Jean--thank you."

I'm pleased you enjoyed them :) It's a fine art judging how much to post: not too much and not too little! But I think the few posts at the beginning of the thread are worth reading, to prepare ourselves for this wonderful book. As I think I said, many critics view this as his best work.

Thanks Natalie, for recommending Simon Vance. I have heard that he is an excellent reader.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Shirley - Great to see you - yes that is an excellent edition, but (and I'm sorry if I'm sounding like a broken record here!) please be careful of spoilers! Because it includes extra essays, flicking through is dangerous ... eg. it includes a few of his "mems" pages, with important plot developments. Even if you've read Bleak House 4 or 5 times like I have, glancing at these can reveal a surprise, as the novel is packed full of mysteries, all interwoven with each other.

You can probably tell what's "safe". I just want to you to enjoy the thrill :)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Of course some readers don't mind spoilers ... but Bleak House changes so much with every single chapter - more than any other novel by Charles Dickens, in my opinion. Charles Dickens gives us just a little more information in each chapter - carefully rationing it out - and you can find your ideas turned on their head overnight! If you can stick to the timetable, I think you will appreciate the author's skill, in hinting, leading, nuance ... and in misdirection too! Charles Dickens was well ahead of his time with this mystery :)

Sometimes I even envy those original readers, who spent a year and a half over the Bleak House serial. Everyone would be reading it, from Queen Victoria to the poorest in the land! (There were readers who would "perform" i.e. both read and act out the latest installment in the street.)

I can just imagine conversations in the neighbourhood ... "That was an amazing installment! Did you expect ... ?" "I don't trust ..." "I HATE ...!" " What do you think will happen next?" "Oh I really hope ...

In a way, we've lost all that local excitement and anticipation nowadays, with our easy access and myriad options, but we can recreate that sense of anticipation a little, here :)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Thanks for calling in everyone. It's lovely to see both familiar faces and new ones - and to know if it's your first read, or a new read of an almost forgotten one - or even one you struggled with before, perhaps not appreciating its brilliance. Nobody will be disappointed with Bleak House, I don't think, if you give it a little time.

5 days to go! Feel free to discuss the different editions here, if you like.

Otherwise ... see you all on Saturday :)

[Paul]

For some reason, this discussion thread is not showing up on the list of topics that I'm following. I want to participate but I need to ensure I get e-mails of the comments. Help or advice please?

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sometimes you need to comment on a thread before it will show up. This is your first comment in the thread ... Are you getting updates now Paul? I hope so! If not, tick the box at the bottom of the page.

[Paul]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Sometimes you need to comment on a thread before it will show up. This is your first comment in the thread ... Are you getting updates now Paul? I hope so! If not, tick the box at the bottom of the..."

That did it. Thanks very much.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Great :)

[Chris]

I loved this book when I read it with another group a number of years ago. Since I have already read this one & I have so much to catch up on, I won't be joining in. I hope all those reading this for the first time, really enjoy it. I'm sure there will be lots of lively conversation!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Aw we'll miss you Chris :( Well you know how we do this, and Nisa's links will be there to every single chapter. Who knows how you will feel in April, or May, after all?

So no pressure, but never say never! I hope at some point during the three months you will decide to pop in and maybe comment ... How can you resist, if you loved the book so much? ;) I promise it will be different from other group reads, and know that all of us will see new things :)

[Sandy]

I am looking forward to reading Bleak House for the first time.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

That's great Sandy, and welcome to "Dickensians!" Do say a little about yourself in the Welcome thread if you like, so we can get to know you :)

Anyone who is joining us, it's as well to say here, like Sandy has done, just to make sure you will get GR notifications!

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Shirley - Great to see you - yes that is an excellent edition, but (and I'm sorry if I'm sounding like a broken record here!) please be careful of spoilers! Because it includes extra essays, flicki..."

Thank you so much for the good advice, Jean. I have learned over the years to ignore everything until I have finished a book (this includes the blurbs on the back or inside covers of a book); and then if I want to go back and read them later, I can. My enjoyment of Rebecca was ruined because of what I was looking for. Now, I go into a book blind, with no expectations or hints of what is to come.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

That is a relief Shirley! I share your attitude :) Thanks for saying. And you really have got an excellent edition.

The edition on our shelves by the way everyone, is complete, and includes all the original illustrations by Phiz. Sometimes Charles Dickens removed odd paragraphs for later editions. As we found with Dombey and Son, even the Oxford edition was not complete! But this will become evident when we read it, so not to worry. The Gutenberg one is complete as well.

[Luffy Sempai]

Sandy wrote: "I am looking forward to reading Bleak House for the first time."

Welcome, Sandy! If Bleak House gets a 3/5 rating, I will be more than happy. Not because I expect it to disappoint, but because it is a very ambitious book and by Dickens to boot. Wordy.

[Petra]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Six days to go everyone. Who else is in?"

I'm going to join in, too. I'm looking forward to it.

[Piyangie]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Six days to go everyone. Who else is in?"

I'm thinking of joining in as well. It's time for a reread. :)

[Daniela]

I will be reading this Bantam Books edition Bleak House.

There aren't illustrations nor notes. It has an introduction by Nabokov. Does some of you have the same edition?

[Piyangie]

Daniela wrote: "I will be reading this Bantam Books edition Bleak House.

There aren't illustrations nor notes. It has an introduction by Nabokov. Does some of you ..."

I have the same, Daniela. But the cover is different.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Petra! Lovely to see you :) And there are still a few more names of keen members I'm looking forward to seeing.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Piyangie wrote: "I'm thinking of joining in as well. It's time for a reread. :)"

Great! The introduction by Vladimir Nabokov that both you and Daniela have, is I suspect, excerpts from his Lectures on Literature: the parts that discuss Bleak House. Modern editions of Charles Dickens often contain a reprinted piece like this, from a known expert.

If this is so (I don't have the book here) Vladimir Nabokov showcases examples of what he calls Charles Dickens's "bursts of vivid imagery". It makes for interesting reading, but of course Vladimir Nabokov puts the passages in context, and therefore it contains spoilers. You may not mind this, since I know you have both read the story, but it's worth bearing in mind.

Pretty much all introductions contain spoilers :( I really wish the publishers would put them at the end and call them "Afterwords"!

Oh and please don't worry about notes - I doubt whether you'll need them anyway. Since you were both part of our Little Dorrit group read, you know how much material there will be in my daily posts, and what our focused daily discussions are like :)

The same goes for illustrations. Phiz wrote 2 for each installment, which means there isn't one by him for every chapter. But I include all of these, plus some illustrations by Harry Furniss, Fred Barnard and from the early American editions too. They're all ready to go :)

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "I'm thinking of joining in as well. It's time for a reread. :)"

Great! The introduction by Vladimir Nabokov that both you and Daniela have is I suspect excerpts from..."

Nabokov was indeed an expert, and he taught at Cornell. Contemporaries were skeptic of his position even after Nabokov's breakthrough in literature, and one of them reportedly said ' a writer to teach English? What next elephants to teach zoology?' or something to that effect.

[Rod]

I will be there as well if I can keep up! Looking forward to sorting out all the symbolism. I will read the penguin edition.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Brilliant, Rod - good to see you again :) I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Luffy Sempai]

Rod wrote: "I will be there as well if I can keep up! Looking forward to sorting out all the symbolism. I will read the penguin edition."

Welcome back, Rod!

[Rod]

I tell my guardianship lawyer friends this is a required book for them to read. And it is.

[Francis]

Having recently finished Bleak House and having watched the most recent BBC adaptation I feel qualified to join in the discussion. I promise no spoilers.