It has been almost six years since I first read Charles Dickens' Bleak House. Did I enjoy it more the second time? Yes, I think so. I really, really liked it the first time I read it. Though to be honest, there were a few times I almost gave up on it until I discovered a good adaptation of it. But the second time around, I really LOVED IT.
I think the 'romance' worked better for me the second time around because I knew who Esther would choose and I was prepared for it. When I first read the book, I was so under-impressed by the doctor that I forgot him once he went away to sea. I did not see him as the love of her life that she dared not hope return her love. This time I paid for attention and tried to see him through her eyes. I still really, really LOVE John Jarndyce (can I have him, please?!?!) but I've come to accept that she rightly belongs with the doctor.
I also came to a better appreciation for Inspector Bucket. I trusted him more and didn't see him as a villain.
Read Bleak House
- If you enjoy Charles Dickens
- If you enjoy reading classics
- If you enjoy reading LONG books
- If you enjoy Victorian literature
- If you enjoy classic mysteries, Inspector Bucket is one of the first fictional detectives
- If you enjoy stories about law and inheritance
- If you enjoy understated romance
- If you enjoy guardianship stories
- If you enjoy stories with angelic heroines
- If you enjoyed watching the miniseries
One sentence summary: Bleak House is about a long, often-thought-hopeless, law case that seems to doom all involved with it, perhaps with the exception of John Jardyce and his favorite ward, Esther Summerson.
© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
4 comments:
I've seen the miniseries and enjoy it, but like you said, the book is loooooooong. So I've never picked it up. But it is on my list of to-reads someday. If I can survive Wuthering Heights then I should be able to survive Bleak House. :)
I read much of Dickens in high school but was too intimidated by the heft of Bleak House. I was so glad to finally read it a few years ago and got such a kick out of the humor.
Wow, another Bug Book, Becky? And this one was REALLY big! Impressive. I read a lot of Dickens in high school but have never even heard of this one - thanks for telling me about it!
Sue
2016 Big Book Summer Challenge
WOW! This is a Dickens' book that I have never heard of...so you know just how much I read his books!! I read a few in high school and that was the last, I do believe.
Thanks for this great review though as I am intrigued and plan to look for this book.
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