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Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can)'s Reviews > Bleak House

Bleak House by Charles Dickens
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So what the dickens is all this bleakness about? If not about the weather, atmospheric and dreary - and playing its part from the opening pages, then it must be about the prolonged court case, played out through the book, of Jarndyce v Jarndyce. Perhaps it is the story of the two central female characters Esther and Lady Dedlock. Or maybe it is the timeless themes that run through all Dickens novels; the corruptive nature of power, redemption for the wicked, sacrifice of the good, and the undeniable force of class differences and wealth.

Well dear reader the bleakness comes from all of it. The emotions and drama that runs through all the individual plots and themes just spills out into the pages. The atmosphere and ever present sense of tragedy and sadness that cloaks a lot of the characters, most of whom hold a dark secret or they want to expose it. Whilst the book creates a sense of hopefulness, as a Dickens novel, you know lady ‘fate’ will have her way and it’s tragedy for someone.

Jarndyce v Jarndyce is a probate case, involving the Jarndyce family who challenge each other in court clocking up legal fees that might one day outweigh the value of the estate. Nevertheless, it is greed and fortune that can turn the eye blind to the inevitable.

Alongside this legal thread, are the stories of Esther, orphaned and cared for by her Godmother, and Lady Dedlock who possesses a melancholic air and who must at all costs hide her past transgressions to save her reputation and that of her husband Sir Leicester Dedlock. However, both lives become entwined as Esther finds herself a ward of Jarndyce and letters reveal some of the details of Lady Dedlocks secrets which fall into the hands of the notorious Tulkinghorn.

The story is long yet full of intrigue as we read our way through the deceptions, greed, revelations, loves and losses.

Review and Comments

What I loved about this book was the characterisation. Dickens is one of the best at developing his characters to the point the reader can identify with each one, their traits, their flaws and purpose. The Plot and the exposés were probably easy to work out part way through once the enquiries started into Esther, but what you could not foresee is how we arrive at the ending.

Whilst the writing in some of these great novels may not flow easily for the reader, I find the writing, descriptions, choice of words, and story telling superb. If you sit back and reflect on what you have just read, you can appreciate the sheer brilliance of Dickens. Because “A word in earnest is as good as a speech”

In some cases, Dickens conveys the emotions in other cases he hints at them. In some instances, he will reveal the plot and motive in other cases, he will leave it up to the reader to uncover the message, the connection, and the intention. Dickens is the master of suggestion - with perfectly timed comments, and subtle statements that come back later in the book and prove to be significant to the story.

I found the disreputable and dishonest characters more fascinating than Esther, a central character, who felt too good, too safe, and more like the poor but angelic little girl. I felt she lacked grit and real substance and felt too good to be true. I enjoy a bit more spice. Although intriguing the story was not sufficiently complex to warrant a book of this length. So it will feel a bit long, unless you just want to savour Dickens writing.

Excellent and although not my favourite Dickens novel, it is a timeless classic written by the master of character development who captures the immutable truth about human nature - perfectly. An author who writes beautifully, and can mix tragedy with love, honesty with deception but most of all an author who creates the drama and will leave you wanting to read more of his books.

Dickens is so good at penetrating your thoughts, that you find yourself reflecting on his stories, the plot, themes and messages a while after reading. Very memorable, often bleak but timeless.
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Reading Progress

November 10, 2021 – Shelved
November 10, 2021 – Shelved as: to-read
November 29, 2021 – Started Reading
December 20, 2021 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 89 (89 new)


Anne I plan to read this very soon. Just watched the BBC mini series last month and it was fantastic!!!! 💘 Looking forward to your review.


message 2: by Jasmine (new) - added it

Jasmine I’m glad you enjoyed, Margaret! I need to read more Dickens.


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Jasmine wrote: "I’m glad you enjoyed, Margaret! I need to read more Dickens."

Thank you Jasmine, I loved this book even though it was a bit long. I was bought a box set last Christmas and have to confess I haven't read all. Something I need to correct this year 🎄🧡


message 4: by Jayme (new)

Jayme Love when a book sticks with you! Wonderful review! 💖


Melissa (Always Behind) Lovely review Margaret!


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Jayme wrote: "Love when a book sticks with you! Wonderful review! 💖"

Me too Jayme. They are timeless for a reason although I wouldn't want to read a classic every day.

Thank you so much and enjoy the holiday period. Merry Christmas if you celebrate Christmas and A Happy New Year 💕💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Lovely review Margaret!"

Thank you so much Melissa. Merry Christmas and A very Happy New year 💖🎄


message 8: by Kerrin (new)

Kerrin Merry Christmas, Margaret! May your holiday not be bleak.


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Kerrin wrote: "Merry Christmas, Margaret! May your holiday not be bleak."

😀 Thank you. You too and a very happy New Year. I hope you are in a reasonably safe area. Covid is threatening a different Christmas again or is this the norm!!. We just have to make the most of it. Stay safe whatever you are doing 💕


message 10: by Tina (new)

Tina A lovely review Margaret! Merry Christmas and stay safe 🎄


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Tina wrote: "A lovely review Margaret! Merry Christmas and stay safe 🎄"

Thank you so much Tina. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And in these times we have to add the all important stay safe too. Hope you enjoy 💕🎄


Meredith (Trying to catch up!) Fabulous review, Margaret! Happy Holidays!


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Meredith wrote: "Fabulous review, Margaret! Happy Holidays!"

Thank you so much Meredith. Have a great holiday and enjoy your new year 🧡


message 14: by Jayme (new)

Jayme I do! Wishing you the same! 💖


message 15: by Anne (new) - rated it 5 stars

Anne Wonderful reveiw, Margaret! Glad to hear the characterization was a favorite for you. I hope I can finish it in a week's time as you did. 😉


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Thank you so much Anne. I do like Dickens and he is great at building such intriguing but in many cases unlikable characters. Enjoy the holidays Anne. Hope you enjoy and stay safe 💖🍾


Nicole Seremeti Fantastic review Margaret! Best wishes!


message 18: by Peter (new)

Peter Brilliant review, Margaret and I love that you are tackling the classics as well as the latest releases. I'd hope to do that too next year - fingers crossed. 🤞


message 19: by Mary-Lisa (new)

Mary-Lisa Russo A fantastic review, Margaret! So glad you enjoyed this book! Wishing you a Merry Christmas! 🥰🎄


message 20: by CarolG (new)

CarolG Great review Margaret! Enjoy your holiday and Merry Christmas!


Adina (notifications back, log out, clear cache) Happy Holidays! I hope to read this book next year.


message 22: by Catherine (new) - added it

Catherine (alternativelytitledbooks) - behind yet again!! Love the pun! 😂 Dickens is such a great author, can’t wait to get to this someday! Wonderful review, Margaret! 💖


message 23: by PoppyReads (new)

PoppyReads (Working away for a year) Awesome review Margaret. I like the honesty in what you don't like in your reviews. I am setting myself a target of reading more classics next year so I will look at your recommendations. Merry Christmas and enjoy your holidays whatever you are doing. 🎄💕🎄💕


message 24: by Kaceey (new)

Kaceey Excellent review Margaret!💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Nicole wrote: "Fantastic review Margaret! Best wishes!"

Thank you so much Nicole. Have a lovely holiday and a Happy New Year 🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Peter wrote: "Brilliant review, Margaret and I love that you are tackling the classics as well as the latest releases. I'd hope to do that too next year - fingers crossed. 🤞"

Thank you so much Peter. I didn't get to read as many Classics as I would have liked. I am not getting through them at the same speed as the others😀🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Mary-Lisa wrote: "A fantastic review, Margaret! So glad you enjoyed this book! Wishing you a Merry Christmas! 🥰🎄"

Thank you so much Mary-Lisa. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Carol wrote: "Great review Margaret! Enjoy your holiday and Merry Christmas!"

Thank you so much Carol. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Adina wrote: "Happy Holidays! I hope to read this book next year."

I hope you enjoy it. Happy New Year 🥂


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Catherine (semi-hiatus while moving) wrote: "Love the pun! 😂 Dickens is such a great author, can’t wait to get to this someday! Wonderful review, Margaret! 💖"

Thank you so much Catherine. Have a lovely holiday and a Happy New Year 🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) PoppyReads wrote: "Awesome review Margaret. I like the honesty in what you don't like in your reviews. I am setting myself a target of reading more classics next year so I will look at your recommendations. Merry Chr..."

Thank you so much again Poppy 🎄💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Kaceey wrote: "Excellent review Margaret!💖"

Thank you so much Kaceey. Have a lovely holiday and a Happy New Year 🎄💖


message 33: by Kat (new)

Kat A stellar review of this classic, Margaret!


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Thank you so much Kat. Merry Christmas 🎄


message 35: by JanB (new)

JanB Great opening line! Lol

Excellent review Margaret. I’m not sure I have the bandwidth right now to take this one, but one day…
Merry Christmas dear friend! 🎄


message 36: by Ellie (last edited Dec 30, 2021 08:04AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus) Amazing review Margaret! I absolutely agree with you on this one, this is one of my favourite Dickens novels, it still stays with me!


message 37: by Jasmine (new) - added it

Jasmine Excellent review, Margaret! I need to read more Dickens. Maybe next year! I’m glad that his writing has stuck with you still! Happy Holidays!! ❄️⛄️✨


Linda Hart Honestly, Margaret, this is simply an excellent review!


message 39: by Annette (new)

Annette Wonderful review Margaret. I have to admit that I haven't read anything written by Dickens, but I like well-developed characters.


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Kat wrote: "A stellar review of this classic, Margaret!"

Thank you so much Kat. Happy New Year to you 💖


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) JanB wrote: "Great opening line! Lol

Excellent review Margaret. I’m not sure I have the bandwidth right now to take this one, but one day…
Merry Christmas dear friend! 🎄"


Thank you so much Jan 💖 I will message separately.


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Ellie wrote: "Amazing review Maureen! I absolutely agree with you on this one, this is one of my favourite Dickens novels, it still stays with me!"

Thank you so much Ellie. Glad you enjoyed this one too. I loved it 💖🥰


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Jasmine wrote: "Excellent review, Margaret! I need to read more Dickens. Maybe next year! I’m glad that his writing has stuck with you still! Happy Holidays!! ❄️⛄️✨"

Thank you so much Jasmine. Happy New Year to you 💖🥂


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Linda wrote: "Honestly, Margaret, this is simply an excellent review!"

Thank you so much Linda, I really appreciate the comments. Happy New Year to you 💖🥂


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Annette wrote: "Wonderful review Margaret. I have to admit that I haven't read anything written by Dickens, but I like well-developed characters."

Thank you so much Annette. Happy New Year 💖


NILTON TEIXEIRA Terrific review of my favourite book by Dickens! The 2005 adaptation for the TV (with Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock) is superb.


message 47: by Holly (new)

Holly  B (slower pace!) Fantastic review Margaret!


message 48: by Michael (new)

Michael David (on hiatus) Fantastic review as always, Margaret!


message 49: by Margaret M - (having a challenging time (last edited Jan 04, 2022 09:54AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) NILTON wrote: "Terrific review of my favourite book by Dickens! The 2005 adaptation for the TV (with Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock) is superb."

Thank you so much Nilton. I saw the film too but I did actually think the TV adaption in this case was marginally better than the book. I thought Esther was bland in the book but a much more intriguing character on screen. Gillian Anderson was meant to play Lady Dedlock. That said a brilliant book


Margaret M - (having a challenging time and on GR as much as I can) Holly wrote: "Fantastic review Margaret!"

Thank you so much Holly 💖


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