The name had turned me away from wanting to read it for a long time. But then some friends who had seen the movie told mee that it was opposite of it's name, and I found that to be true! :) In the words of the characters themselves: "
In every way, the book differed from what I would have expected from the title! Which is a good thing! :)
Plot: The story is told from two angles: One, from a young lady, Esther Summerson who is of unknown parentage, and has been brought up from her infancy by a woman who is cold and unfeeling toward her. The second point of view is objective, and the author switched views periodically. Within the first few chapters of Bleak House, Esther Summerson has joined two "wards of the Courts" (Ada Clare and Richard Carstone) at Bleak House, the home of their new Guardian, Mr. John Jarndyce. They live a happy, quiet, life together, until Richard Carstone begins to look into the decades-long Chancery Court case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The Guardian has avoided the case his whole life, perceiving how it has ruined so many people already, including mad little Ms. Flite, and Mr. Gridley. Things become more complicated as Richard Carstone moves out of Bleak House, in mounting suspicion against Mr. Jarndyce. This is all from Esther's point of view. The objective point of view focuses more on Sir Leicester, and Lady Dedlock, of Chesney Wold. They are leaders in society, and a party of the same case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. But the drama sets in when it is discovered that Esther Summerson, is really the daughter of Lady Dedlock, who has assumed her dead as an infant. This is kept entirely secret except to Mr. Jarndyce, but when the evil old lawyer Mr. Tulkinghorn gets hold of some papers, telling the whole story, he holds it over Lady Dedlock's head, threatening at any moment to tell the whole of society, and ruin her. I will not spoil the rest of the story for you all, but I will tell you that all turns out in the end, though there is gripping mystery/drama to get there! :)
My Favorite Aspects Of The Book: By far, my favorite thing about Bleak House, is Esther Summerson. She is sweet, loveable, and has impeccable character in the face of many trials, including learning of her illegitamate birth. At one point, she catches the Smallpox, and her face is scarred for life, but she continues on, after struggling to conquer feelings of hurt pride and is as humble and beautiful as ever she was because of her inner beauty. At the start of the book, her former cold, unfeeling guardian says to her as a little girl of 10 or so, "Your mother, Esther, is your disgrace, and you were hers. The time will come-- and soon enough--when you will understand this better, and will feel it too, as no one save a woman can....For yourself, unfortunate girl, orphaned and degraded from the first of these evil anniversaries, (it was her birthday) pray daily that the sins of others be not visited upon your head...." After hearing these harsh words, Esther goes into her room, and prays that she may learn to be happy, content, and helpful, so that she may be loveable in some way, and be a blessing to others, despite her low birth.
I was struck with what a commendable character Charles Dickens has created, as I do not know if he was a Christian. There are many Biblical references in the book though, and Esther is a Christian. At the very end, 7 years after Esther is married to someone (I won't tell you who :) there is a terribly sweet scene between she and her husband...
"What have you been thinking about, my dear?" said ___ then.
"How curious you are!" said I. "I am almost ashamed to tell you, but I will. I have been thinking about my old looks-- such as they were."
"And what have you been thinking about them, my busy bee?" said ___.
"I have been thinking, that I thought it was impossible that you could have loved me any better, even if I had retained them."
"--Such as they were?" said ____, laughing.
"Such as they were, of course."
"My dear Dame Durden," (a pet name) said ___, drawing my arm through his, "do you ever look in the glass?"
"You know I do; you see me do it."
"And don't you know that you are prettier than you ever were?"
I did not know that; I am not certian that I know it now. But I know that my dearest little pets are very pretty, and that my darling husband is very handsome, and that my guardian has the brightest and the most benevolent face that ever was seen; and that they can very well do without much beauty in me--even supposing--- THE END"
Charles Dickens has got the character of his characters perfect! I enjoyed this book immensely, because the bad men are truly bad, and easily identified as so, the good characters that you are supposed to love are actually commendable to love and immitate, and the values in it are what I wish people would write more of today! :) Besides the people in the story, the story itself is exciting, interesting, humorous at times, and true to life. The rash and foolish acts of people are rewarded thus. Lady Dedlock has some (actually pretty dire) consequences for her having a child out of wedlock, and Dickens does not portray that as a desireable or acceptable thing.
Another of my favorite aspects are the hilarious, loveable, and interesting characters. You need to have a good memory, and the ability to multi-task to fully enjoy Dickens, but I'm sure you'll be delighted by characters such as Mr. Guppy, Mr. Snagsby, Caddy Jellyby, Mr. Jarndyce, Mr. Boythorn, Ada Clare, Miss Flite, and many, many, others! :)
Morals: The book is full of great morals, though I'm not sure Dickens was a Christian. The overtone of the whole book is shown in the Biblical light of true happiness coming in contentment, stellar generosity and selflessness, serving others, and Christian love, and it shows the opposite side that comes with the love of money and worldly things, ending in potential destruction. Every girl would do well to learn lessons from Esther Summerson! :) And every young man should take a peek at Mr. George, Allan Woodcourt, Mr. Jarndyce, and several others for good examples of honest, upright men.
Summary:
Strength of Characters: *****
Strength of Plot: **** (I found it a tad confusing at points if I wasn't paying close attention :)
Over All Rating: *****
In the end, Bleak House is a book I hope to read again someday, and one worth reading to anyone else who will brave 760 pages of closely written text! :D -Rachel
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