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Emily May's Reviews > Bleak House

Bleak House by Charles Dickens
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bookshelves: classics, clothbound-own, 2019

This is a very clever book because the main issue with it is exactly the point Dickens is making: it is so long and dragged out.

Bleak House is quite the achievement. It's a 900+ page monster made up a thousand different subplots with a large cast of characters. It also fanned the flames that led to a huge overhaul of the legal system in England. Buried beneath and entwined with the many subplots is the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce - Dickens's parody of the Chancery Court system (because the case is dragged out over many years).

I like Dickens, and I can appreciate what Bleak House does, but I'm sorry to say I won't be joining the ranks who consider this their favourite. His best work objectively? Maybe. Who even knows what that means? But definitely not my favourite. That would be Great Expectations-- a novel that just rips my heart out and stomps all over it.

I really do understand that this is the whole point, but so many chapters and events in this book were extended needlessly, padded out with waffle and meanderings that seemed to have nothing to do with the novel at large. That's very clever and all - given that this is a critique of a court system that extends everything needlessly and gets nothing done - but it's a bit of a chore to read. It's a shorter book than Les Misérables, The Count of Monte Cristo and War and Peace, but it truly doesn't feel like it.

The characters, too, were not as memorable as many of Dickens others. Having read it, I can now see why the Bleak House characters are not household names like Miss Havisham or Bill Sykes. I found them bland in comparison. I also think it was a mistake to have the simpering "I'm so modest and unintelligent" Esther Summerson as a narrator (Dickens's only female narrator). It's unfortunate because I think Dickens usually excels at first person narration, but Esther's constant need to reiterate her modesty and lack of intelligence is frustrating.

If I were rating this book based on how well it achieved what it set out to do, it would be an easy five stars. If you believe classics are not there for enjoyment but for self-flagellation, this is an easy five stars. Dickens successfully wrote a long and slow book to show how the legal system is so long and slow. Some of the subplots and character dramas were interesting; many were not.

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Reading Progress

August 15, 2012 – Shelved
January 16, 2019 – Started Reading
January 18, 2019 –
page 103
9.93%
January 19, 2019 –
page 154
14.85%
January 22, 2019 –
page 214
20.64%
January 25, 2019 –
page 281
27.1%
January 25, 2019 –
page 352
33.94%
January 29, 2019 –
page 417
40.21%
January 31, 2019 –
page 589
56.8%
February 1, 2019 –
page 734
70.78%
February 2, 2019 –
page 803
77.43%
February 3, 2019 –
page 916
88.33%
February 4, 2019 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-40 of 40 (40 new)

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Adi Rocks Socks I've been reading the unabridged version of this oh-so-slowly for over a year now; seeing you read this is motivating! 😅


Emily May Ad Rocks Socks wrote: "I've been reading the unabridged version of this oh-so-slowly for over a year now; seeing you read this is motivating! 😅"

I wish it wasn't so slow. I enjoy long books AND Dickens, but I'm struggling to see why this is regarded as his best work. Still... I've got a long way to go 😅


message 3: by Maria (new) - added it

Maria Bleak House, bleak book?


Jenny Baker I'm about to start this one soon. I love Dickens! He's long-winded and I love how he uses obsolete words such as quoth. I loved the mini series on Amazon Prime. Have you ever watched it?


Emily May Jenny wrote: "I'm about to start this one soon. I love Dickens! He's long-winded and I love how he uses obsolete words such as quoth. I loved the mini series on Amazon Prime. Have you ever watched it?"

No, this is actually the first I knew about it! I'm completely new to the Bleak House story. I'm withholding judgement so far, but I feel like this isn't going to compete with Great Expectations, which is my favourite.


message 6: by Jenny Baker (last edited Jan 21, 2019 06:54PM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jenny Baker Emily May wrote: "No, this is actually the first I knew about it! I'm completely new to the Bleak House story. I'm withholding judgement so far, but I feel like this isn't going to compete with Great Expectations, which is my favourite."

I loved Great Expectations and David Copperfield. One of my Goodreads friends recommended that I watch the mini series to help me understand the story. The series is short, but well done.


message 7: by Laura (new)

Laura Charles Dickens is not for the unintimidated. I started reading him, on my own, in junior high, without knowing anything him about him, other than he was famous. I dont' think I've read Bleak House, but my favorite was David Copperfield too.


Emily May Laura wrote: "Charles Dickens is not for the unintimidated. I started reading him, on my own, in junior high, without knowing anything him about him, other than he was famous. I dont' think I've read Bleak House..."

After this, David Copperfield is the last Dickens I really want to read. I adored Great Expectations and his Christmas stories. I also enjoyed Oliver Twist but the antisemitism is so jarring to a modern reader. I wasn't a huge fan of A Tale of Two Cities.


message 9: by Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ (last edited Jan 25, 2019 01:42PM) (new) - added it

Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Ohh I've watched the BBC mini-series and liked it, but now I'll have to wait a few years in order to forget the specifics lmao. For now I've only enjoyed his Christmas stories - I got Great Expectations on audio and I'm really excited about it! Unfortunately I've left David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities unfinished around the halfway point. Officially, I'm supposed to get back to them but ehhhhhh. I might come back to David Copperfield but only because I like Richard Armitage's voice lmao. I enjoyed parts, but idk... I feel like there's something somewhat incestuous in some of his female leads, it really rubbed me the wrong way for some reason? Lucy in A Tale of Two Cities & Agnès in David Copperfield in particular. It's like they live for their fathers and perhaps it's because I can't relate to that level of devotion (I had a good relationship with mine but not like that at all) but *shrugs* They don't seem to have any agency and I know the time period plays a role but mostly it annoyed me?


Emily May Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ wrote: "Ohh I've watched the BBC mini-series and liked it, but now I'll have to wait a few years in order to forget the specifics lmao. For now I've only enjoyed his Christmas stories - I got [book:Great E..."

It's funny you should say that - I made a note about Esther and a few things that bugged me about her character here. I also understand that Dickens was a product of his time, but Esther is his only female narrator and her constant need to remind us how modest and not very smart she is is frustrating.


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Emily May wrote: "Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ wrote: "Ohh I've watched the BBC mini-series and liked it, but now I'll have to wait a few years in order to forget the specifics lmao. For now I've only enjoyed his Chri..."

Yes, I definitely got the feeling that a "worthy" woman should be extremely modest when I read his books. They're the only one who "deserve" happiness according to his heroes and I mean... It's hard not to question Dickens' beliefs in that aspect, it's so prevalent.


Diana I hope you are enjoying this because this book is really a masterpiece. A humble main heroine and a popular-then episodic plot is just fascinating. Dickens descriptions are so atmospheric, and great observations on the nature of the law in the UK, too.


message 13: by Emilia (new)

Emilia Milu Have you read David Copperfield? Would love to read you opinion on that one ...


message 14: by Peaches (new)

Peaches That's how I feel about all Dickens. Since he basically got paid by the line, it makes sense for the time, but I don't find reading him very approachable now!


Walker Same here. One of my professors said that this was her favorite book from Dickens. She has read it like 13 times and teaches it as well. If I was as familiar with this book as she is then I would probably have liked it a lot more, but my interest was held back by too much confusion over the many different plot lines and the over abundance of characters. Maybe if I read it 12 more times I will begin to like it


message 16: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn "Maybe if I read it 12 more times I will begin to like it..." --LOL, Walker


Emily May Emilia wrote: "Have you read David Copperfield? Would love to read you opinion on that one ..."

That is the last Dickens book I haven't read that I feel like I need to read. I think I will like it more than this one. I really enjoyed the first person journey of Pip in Great Expectations and I've heard positive comparisons made between the two.


message 18: by sylvie (new)

sylvie Coucou Joelle


message 19: by Jane (new) - rated it 5 stars

Jane Upshall One of my favorites!


message 20: by Jerin (new)

Jerin Tahapary Bleak House’s barrenness is the antithesis of The Woman in White’s wondrousness.


Emily May Jerin wrote: "Bleak House’s barrenness is the antithesis of The Woman in White’s wondrousness."

Oh yes, I love The Woman in White.


Lisa (NY) Agree - much of it was extended needlessly.


message 23: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn Emily May wrote: "Oh yes, I love The Woman in White."

If you enjoy Wilkie Collins, I suggest his No Name. I preferred it 1,000 times to The Woman in White and The Moonstone. Fierce, vengeful heroine, thrilling story. Another good one for the next time you're in the mood for a great (if forgotten) Victorian novel is George Gissing's The Odd Women. You'll be shocked by how radically feminist it is, even by today's standards.


Emily May Kathryn wrote: "Emily May wrote: "Oh yes, I love The Woman in White."

If you enjoy Wilkie Collins, I suggest his No Name. I preferred it 1,000 times to The Woman in White and The Moonstone. Fierce, vengeful heroi..."


Sold! I think I've heard that before about No Name. I actually own an old paperback copy of it, but have never gotten around to reading it. Thanks for reminding me!


Preeya I really can appreciate your comments on Bleak House and agree Great Expectations is one of my favourites


message 26: by Andrew (new)

Andrew OMG your favorites shelf seems to have disappeared!
Help, how am I supposed to choose my next book??


Emily May Andrew wrote: "OMG your favorites shelf seems to have disappeared!
Help, how am I supposed to choose my next book??"


I deleted it because it was so outdated! I hadn't been adding books to it :) If you would like, you can always go to my shelves and sort by rating: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...


Adina Hilton I had to read this for a class and almost died. And I agree, the overall story and characters are not as interesting as some of his other books!


message 29: by Laura (new)

Laura Great Expectations was good, But David Copperfield was too. I know Oliver Twist is over exposed, but that one was one that riped up my heart the most.


Emily May Laura wrote: "Great Expectations was good, But David Copperfield was too. I know Oliver Twist is over exposed, but that one was one that riped up my heart the most."

I really loved Oliver Twist, too. I really need to read David Copperfield.


message 31: by Rodrigo (new) - added it

Rodrigo Camargo Good to know. Thanks for your review. I started to read it a while ago and as you said "it is so long and dragged out" and I gave up. Many reviews said this is the best Dickens but I'll consider reading Great Expectations rather than Bleak House.


Alice I adore Great Expectations, on paper and on film. I am struggling with Bleak House, But Dickens is a master of characterization...even fog.


Katie Is it worth pursuing?? I am only past the preface which was super ridiculous to get through.....I love Charles Dickens but I am not able to follow this at all


Emily May Katie wrote: "Is it worth pursuing?? I am only past the preface which was super ridiculous to get through.....I love Charles Dickens but I am not able to follow this at all"

This is, truthfully, my least favourite Dickens novel to date. I do think it all seemed quite clever when looking back over it, but I'm not sure the payoff justified the slog.


Emily May Philicious wrote: "Nonsense. Being long doesn’t make it bad"

No, but being dull does. At least, it does for me.


Debra L Totally agree. He made his points OVER and OVER again. The long monologues of certain characters was over the top. He needed a good editor.


message 37: by Elin (new) - rated it 3 stars

Elin "This is, truthfully, my least favourite Dickens novel to date. " that sounds like the voice of someone who has not read The Old Curiosity Shop ... seriously, if you think Esther's bad, wait for the unendurable cringe that is Little Nell...


Deborah Serialized books are commonly over-long and bloated. The writer is literally paid by the word. New chapters / sections were published monthly over about 18 months. Financial incentive to make it long. Same thing with some of Alexander Dumas work. Wonder if the abridged versions are better?


Emily May Deborah wrote: "Serialized books are commonly over-long and bloated. The writer is literally paid by the word. New chapters / sections were published monthly over about 18 months. Financial incentive to make it lo..."

While this is true, not all of the literary doorstoppers are dull like this one (IMO). Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo is enormous but I couldn't put it down. It's one of my favourite books.


Tatiana Re the length, Dickens' novels were serialized and he was paid per installment.


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