July & August BOTM - Bleak House

[Ian]

Hi All,

The Book of the Month for July and August is Bleak House by Charles Dickens with the theme of Crime and the Law. I am happy this was nominated (and won), it has been on my "to read" list for a long time!

Here is the link to the free project Gutenberg editions:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1023


Personally, I find with a long book, they only way to keep on track is with a reading schedule, so I have made one below.

The page numbers are from the Penguin Clothbound Classics edition, so other editions will be different, but it should give an idea of how many pages per week to read.

Here is a reading schedule

Week 1: July 1-7	Chapters 1-8	pp. 13-136
Week 2: July 8-14	Chapters 9-16	pp. 137-264
Week 3: July 15-21	Chapters 10-24	pp. 265-406
Week 4: July 22-28	Chapters 25-32	pp. 406-504
Week 5: July 29-Aug 4	Chapters 33-40	pp. 504-637
Week 6: August 5-11	Chapters 41-48	pp. 638-752
Week 7: August 12-18	Chapters 49-56	pp. 752-856
Week 8: August 19-25	Chapters 57-64	pp. 856-972
Week 9: August 26-31	Chapters 65-67	pp. 952-989

My copy of this book is around 1000 pages, so this may be hard for everyone to read in two months. The schedule works out to just over a chapter per day. In early August, if enough people are still reading the book and we want more time, we can discuss extending this to three months.

Cheers,
Ian

[Morgan]

Thanks Ian! I am a Dickens fan and also glad this got picked. I have the Audible version since I don't have a physical copy. I appreciate the schedule to help me listen to chapters.

[Cheryl]

Ooh wow this is an epic, I am in, I'll give it a go and try to stick to the reading schedule, I like having the schedules I think it helps me to keep pace.

[Dmreichle]

I love Dickens! I will be participating. I will likely use audible.

[Ian]

I never knew what Chancery Court was, so I had to look it up. Here is some background in case anyone else is interested:

--------------------------

The Court of Chancery was a court of equity in England and Wales under the Lord High Chancellor that began to develop in the 15th century to provide remedies not obtainable in the courts of common law. The Chancery had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of lunatics and the guardianship of infants. The procedure was very different to the strict rules of the common law courts and involved the gathering of written pleadings and evidence.

As far back as the English Civil War, the Court of Chancery was being criticised extensively for its procedure and practice. Corrupted practices began to set in such as the charging of long drawn out fees. Many of the clerks and other officials were sinecures who, in lieu of wages, charged increasingly exorbitant fees to process cases, one of the main reasons why the cost of bringing a case to the Chancery was so high. In 1743 a list of permissible fees was published which contained over 1,000 items that could be charged for.

[Cheryl]

Thanks Ian for doing your homework, I had no idea either, that is interesting. Sounds awful too.

[Larry]

Hello everyone, after a few months I'm back and what a great book to start back with the group! Looking forward to some good company along the way.

[Ian]

Larry wrote: "Hello everyone, after a few months I'm back and what a great book to start back with the group! Looking forward to some good company along the way."


Welcome back from your Long Summer Day!

[Ian]

I found Chapters 1 and 2 a bit hard to get through, but the story really picked up when the narrator switched to Esther for chapter 3.

[Cheryl]

I'm slowly working my way through Chapter 1, it is a little dull but I did love the description of the weather at the beginning and especially the ash 'like snowflakes in mourning', quite a way with words.

[Ian]

I am trying to stay a bit ahead of schedule and I have finished up to the end of chapter eight. There seems to be a theme where the adults are childish/frivolous and children have to pay the price for that.

[Cheryl]

Good plan Ian, I am trying to do the same; I got part way through today's reading last night and may try a couple of chapters today. I know somewhere down the line I won't be able to do the daily chapter so I want to have them in the bank so I don't get left trying to play catchup.

Pleased to report the story has picked up somewhat after the first chapter.

[Larry]

I've started and am on chapter 6 today. Like most older novels it takes me a few chapters to get the rhythm and get to know the characters. I too struggled in the first two chapters, but the book seems to really open up after that.
I am getting the humor more as I read further and even though the subject can be quite dark at times.
This being only my second Dickens with " A Tale of Two Cities " being the other it will be interesting how I get along with this epic Author.

[Cheryl]

I am also on Chapter 6. I agree with you Larry about it taking a while to get into the swing of things, especially older books.

It occurs to me only now that I don't think I have read any other Dickens work at all!

[Cheryl]

Up to chapter 9, so a little ahead.

There are some exceptionally odd characters in this book, but Mr Skimpole is the worst, what a good for nothing lazy sod preying on others kindness, and the kids are far too naive, they seem to have more money than sense. I hate the phrase but I will use it: they are ‘too nice’. I feel like everyone needs a kick up the backside!

There I said it. Little rant over.

[The Damsel in the Library]

I just finished chapter 8 and so far I'm enjoying it more than A Tale of Two Cities; I think it's moving quicker than that book. I'm listening to the audiobook (narrated by Mil Nicholson) and she does a good job with the various voices.

[Cheryl]

I’m never going to read A Tale of Two Cities then. Haha.

[The Damsel in the Library]

I love Boythorn, especially the way the narrator does his laugh. I hope he has a big role in this book.
Also, the proposal by Mr. Guppy gave me serious secondhand embarrassment, like watching Mr. Collins (from Pride and Prejudice) all over again.

[Sharon]

It is impossibly hot and humid here, so I've extra time indoors to spend reading/listening. Just finished Chapter 15 and it was an especially good one: Mr. Gridley is one of my favorite minor characters so far. Anyone else read Chapter 15?

Having suggested P.G. Wodehouse, I can't help wondering how Jeeves would have navigated Jarndyce v Jarndyce.

Thoroughly enjoying the book.

[Cheryl]

I have just read chapter 9 and I wanted to say something about it but I'll cover it up for those who are not there yet...

(view spoiler)[This is the chapter where Guppy proposes to Esther. Is it just me or was she not very gracious about the whole thing? I felt she treated the man cruelly, but perhaps that was just the norm back in the day? Did anyone else think it was rather harsh? Also he downed about half a dozen glasses of wine in quick succession - I'm surprised he could speak clearly! LOL.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ian]

Cheryl wrote: "Up to chapter 9, so a little ahead.

There are some exceptionally odd characters in this book, but Mr Skimpole is the worst, what a good for nothing lazy sod preying on others kindness, and the ki..."

I kind of get a kick out of Skimpole as a character, he just sits back and lets people deal with his problems like they are none of his business:

"It was a most singular thing that the arrest was our embarrassment and not Mr. Skimpole's. He observed us with a genial interest, but there seemed, if I may venture on such a contradiction, nothing selfish in it. He had entirely washed his hands of the difficulty, and it had become ours."


I would stay away from someone like him in real life, but a funny character in the book.

[Ian]

Sharon wrote: "It is impossibly hot and humid here, so I've extra time indoors to spend reading/listening. Just finished Chapter 15 and it was an especially good one: Mr. Gridley is one of my favorite minor chara..."

I just finished chapter 16 last night and am keeping up with the schedule (barely)...lol.

[Cheryl]

I am almost on schedule too, a chapter a day sounds easy but it hasn’t been for me. I need to dedicate more time to just sit and read.

[Larry]

I am keeping up with the group and just finished 17 this morning. I thought 16 brought some much-needed melding of all the story lines so far in the book. intrigue on the sudden death and now intrigue on the history of Miss Summerson, the story is starting to get rolling now. the love interest with the surgeon also is heating up.
Jo is my favorite so far. I think chapter 16 has been my favorite,

[Sharon]

Reading on, and all I can say is who doesn't enjoy a case of spontaneous combustion?

[Cheryl]

I used to be oddly fascinated by Spontaneous Combustion as a child, I suppose I still am in a way.

[Ian]

I thought it was hilarious how Skimpole felt such pride that his delinquent bills employed Mr. Coavinses and enabled him to provide for his family...lol



That, all that time, he had been giving employment to a most deserving man, that he had been a benefactor to Coavinses, that he had actually been enabling Coavinses to bring up these charming children in this agreeable way, developing these social virtues! Insomuch that his heart had just now swelled and the tears had come into his eyes when he had looked round the room and thought, "I was the great patron of Coavinses, and his little comforts were MY work!"

[Cheryl]

It's interesting to read different views from my own. I couldn't have been more horrified when I read the Skimpole/Coavinses bit. I think perhaps I am taking it far too seriously.

There are a lot of horrible characters in this book in my opinion. Almost pantomime like though.

[Ian]

In chapter 20 Guppy and Smallweed are with Jobling they say he was working at/near Chesney Wold and was fired from his job. Do we know what he was fired for? I don't remember him in the book before, but I may have forgotten...

[Cheryl]

Wasn’t Guppy the guy who proposed? But he worked at the lawyers didn’t he? I don’t recognise the other name, if it comes up in the next couple of chapters I’ll let you know.

[Ian]

Cheryl wrote: "It's interesting to read different views from my own. I couldn't have been more horrified when I read the Skimpole/Coavinses bit. I think perhaps I am taking it far too seriously.

There are a lot of horrible characters in this book in my opinion. Almost pantomime like though."

I thought I read a (probably misattributed) Oscar Wilde quote once that was something like "I hate Dickens' characters but I love his caricatures." I always find many of the characters are over the top.

Uh-Oh, I think Mr. Murdkill is going to be evil...lol

[The Damsel in the Library]

Does anyone think it might help if Esther were seen from another's perspective? As it is, I don't really get why everyone is falling over themselves to be her friend and help her. She seems kinda "meh" to me.

(view spoiler)[I'm guessing that Lady Dedlock's sister is Esther's mother. That might explain the draw Esther feels towards Lady D. (hide spoiler)]

[Ian]

Wow, chapter 24 is crazy - It seems like all the random characters and subplots come together.


The Damsel in the Library wrote: "Does anyone think it might help if Esther were seen from another's perspective? As it is, I don't really get why everyone is falling over themselves to be her friend and help her. She seems kinda meh" to me."

Yeah, Esther seems nice, but I can't really say much more than that.

[Sharon]

I think this is my peek at senility read and shame on Dickens for putting me in this terrible situation. I needed a break from Bleak House and on my return I find myself lost. Clearly, I have not yet arrived at Chapter 24. The problem is I haven't spent this much time amongst so many strangers since pre-Covid and it is too much. It might be that I should get out more but there you have it. Is anyone else in a muddle or is it just me?

[Ian]

I think this is my peek at senility read and shame on Dickens for putting me in this terrible situation. I needed a break from Bleak House and on my return I find myself lost. Clearly, I have not yet arrived at Chapter 24. The problem is I haven't spent this much time amongst so many strangers since pre-Covid and it is too much. It might be that I should get out more but there you have it. Is anyone else in a muddle or is it just me?

Yeah, I was finding the same with the book. I was 400 pages in and I wasn't really sure where the story was going. I had a hard time of keeping track of all the characters. So far with the week 4 chapters, it is coming together more and I am happy this week has the fewest pages (less than 100).

[Larry]

I just finished chapter 24 so I'm a little behind but not too far. I have been getting along fine with the story since about chapter 16. I think the introduction of the detective has been a vessel to gather the story lines together, so I agree that the story is starting to form in a more understandable manner.
It will be interesting if the litigation will be resolved as a part of this story or it's only a side bar for Dickens to protest the absurdity of the system. We now have a possible murder and a question of paternity that has yet to be discovered. Lots of other sub plots with all the character's so I'm not sure where it will lead to at this point. Good reading though. Enjoy everyone.

[Ian]

I am on chapter 38 so I should be roughly on track to have chapter 40 done by the end of week 5 (Friday Aug 4th).

Just want to see how everyone else is doing? If enough people want more time, we can look at extending this book into September. If not, we will start the nominations for a new book of the month for September.

[Larry]

Hi Ian,
I'm on chapter 36 and plan on being on schedule at chapter 40 by end of week also. I vote to finish this month and select another book for September. I'm not sure how the rest of you who are reading along feel but I'm always ready to start a new book, long books can become a slog after too long at least for me. (Short attention span) Long Summer Day for me is a good example. lol

[Sharon]

Oh, the shame of it, I have abandoned Bleak House. It became a slog for me. To carry on with the spirit of things, I am reading Wodehouse on Crime which is much funnier than Bleak House and on topic even if it is the wrong book.

[Cheryl]

Hi everyone I have fallen woefully behind the reading schedule, I am only on chapter 21, I haven't read any of it for days now.

It is a real struggle to get into it some days, some chapters are far better than others.

However I really would like to get this finished by the end of August, I don't like the thought of it hanging over me for another month so I will try and pickup the pace!

[Morgan]

Cheryl, I am also behind and on chapter 17. However, I started late and I have an audio version, so I feel I can finish it in August as well.

[Cheryl]

Nice to know I'm not the only one lagging so far behind, albeit you have a good excuse Morgan! How's the audiobook, is it well narrated?

[Morgan]

Cheryl, the narrator is Simon Vance. I like his narration and I can easily listen to a couple chapters a day on my work commute with his voice because I have listened to other books he has narrated.

[Cheryl]

Sounds like a really good way to get through this book, I don’t commute anymore and I miss that reading time

[Ian]

Hi All,

It looks like there is a general consensus that we will keep Bleak House to 2 months and start a new book in September.

For those a bit behind: I found the story really picked up around chapter 24 and since then it has been pretty exciting. I'd really like to see a mini-series adaptation of this book after I finish it.

Ian

[Larry]

I'm on chapter 46 and even though the story is predictable, I am starting to get into the lives of the main people and can follow the narrative much easier. I think i am full into the flow and pace of Dickens writing and don't have to stop so often to think about what i just read to understand it. In the first 400 or so pages it was not as smooth for me and it slowed my reading pace, now I am rolling along and rather enjoying the story.
Glad we decided on keeping this to two months if i don't finish it i will be very close by end of month..

[Cheryl]

Thanks Ian, I am at chapter 24 I think, good to know things are about to get better. I have been really struggling with this one but I am determined. The same as Larry for me, if I don't finish by the months end I won't be far behind.

[The Damsel in the Library]

I got a little behind (and even thought about quitting) but I'm back at it and just finished chapter 41. It's gotten better and easier to follow and I'm enjoying it more.
(view spoiler)[I thought Lady Dedlock being Esther's mother was too obvious a twist, which is why I thought it might be the sister. But I guess surprise parent reveals weren't popular back then and maybe people were shocked by the revelation. (hide spoiler)]

[Cheryl]

Well done for hanging in there Damsel, I admit I had also considered quitting.

[Larry]

So, the story really picks up and my I am easily going back to this book more often. I have just finished chapter 54 and as encouragement to everyone.... it was the best yet!! I am now hooked and can't wait to see where it goes from here. At this interest I will probably fly through the rest of this book and easily finish. Stick with it, it gets better, and I think everyone will agree.