I just finished _Bleak House_ a couple of days ago. Agree, a beast of a novel. The best part of the novel is the aura of mystery; the double narrative structure allows the omniscient narrator to give the reader hints of answers which Esther and other characters aren't aware, and the suspense of when and how the surprises will finally come out is dramatic. It's comparable to finding out what the source of Pip's _Great Expectations_ were in that novel; I think that's what Dickens was shooting for here. Before you start the novel you need to be aware that reading _Bleak House_ is a commitment, as it is long and complex. I'm also glad I used an e-reader, since the vocabulary is a little mid-19th century and I needed to look up quite a few words.
bleak house was my first dickens ever and I only started reading classics this year. the first 400 or so pages was just filled with so much character introduction and plot set up that I got overwhelmed and almost gave up, but im just so glad I didn't because I started to see how it all was woven together and loved it so much, it was fascinating.
Great review. I loved the BBC 2005 adaptation. The unseen, omnipresent character is the Jarndyce case. It hangs over all the comings and goings. A real cautionary tale not to go to Law too lightly.
Great review! Bleak House is my favourite book, but it is complex, so it's exciting to hear others enjoy it! Also, I second the mini-series comment, I watched it after I read the book, but it's a great adaptation with incredible casting!!!
I have finished Bleak House, and yeah, it's one of my new favorite books. David Copperfield is still my all-time favorite Dickens, but Bleak House is a close second.
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Yes, I agree. Even though I agree with you that Esther Summerson was not as boring as some people make her out to be, I still was more attached to David and to the people in his life. I was told to read Middlemarch by many different sources. Is this one you have read?
I’m reading it right now and loving it.. However even though I’ve read quite a few Dickens, I’ve had to keep a character list with me to keep track lol. Dickens has always been my favorite author!
My favourite of all of Dickens works. I can't add anything other than the much deserved praise that others who are more eloquent than I have already said.
Good review. I'm half way through reading Bleak House. Some of it is very stodgy to read, like wading through a swimming pool full of treacle, other sections flow much better. There are some fantastic character descriptions, so many eccentric characters, some sinister characters too. By the way, Joe is a street-sweeper, not a chimney-sweep, just to be pedantic!
Gillian Anderson starring in the ‘Bleak House’ miniseries is how I first heard of that Charles Dickens’ novel. I also loved Anderson’s performance as Miss Havisham from the 2011 ‘Great Expectations’ miniseries. I especially liked that adaptation.
One of Miriam Margolyes's observations in her solo stage show "Dickens's Women" is that the young heroines tend to be very similar to each other, with domestic virtue as their main character trait, but quite passive in the story, and (weirdly) most of them are 17 years old. The only one I can think of who really breaks the mould is Esther from Bleak House. Maybe it's to do with her part of the story being told in the first person: Dickens needed to give her more agency, so that she could get out and about and witness more events. A lot of that is as Mr Jarndyce's assistant on his errands of mercy, but she also acts on her own, e.g. as confidante and supporter of Caddy Jellyby. I'm a big fan of the 1985 TV adaptation - even more than the 2005 one. Where 2005's pivoted away from Mr Jarndyce and toward Mr Tulkinghorn, 1985's kept its emphasis more similar to the book's, and Denholm Elliott did an outstanding job of playing Mr Jarndyce.
Yeah I think Margoyle's is right, although I think there are a few more exceptions to the rule. Nancy from Oliver Twist comes to mind! Is there footage of that stage show online though? I would love to see it if there is! I'll have to see if I can get hold of the 1985 adaption too. :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I saw the show in person (on MM's 71st birthday, as it turned out when the producer invaded the stage at the end with a bunch of flowers!) and don't know whether it's online, sorry. Her website mentions a CD version, but the link is broken.
I enjoy the music in the background 🎶🎶✨ 📚 trying to try Dickens. Anne Rice and Stephen King both throw back to Dickens. My boss mentioned Bleak House in a team building meeting 😂😂 and here I am…
Loved this. Like being in the SU bar with someone. I've been oppressed by this bloody book since I read it at college. I'm at gums shrinking age now and just reread it. Wonderful read, but still found it just SO oppressive. Surely more structured than David Copperfield? Mystery clues, the pointing motif, etc? Interesting. Looking for more of your vids now. Thank you.
Haha thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! It is a great book, but definitely a bit of a beast to get through. Listening the audiobook by Miriam Margoles definitely helped bring it to life though. I think in general Dicken's "reads" a lot better when read aloud. I think you're write about structure there now I think of it.
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall thanks for encouragement on getting through Bleak House😀 I forgot I had read Gone With the Wind (very long) also while back, now, that was a really good book, after reading I could see why it’s so famous, probably be same with Bleak House.
I just finished _Bleak House_ a couple of days ago. Agree, a beast of a novel. The best part of the novel is the aura of mystery; the double narrative structure allows the omniscient narrator to give the reader hints of answers which Esther and other characters aren't aware, and the suspense of when and how the surprises will finally come out is dramatic. It's comparable to finding out what the source of Pip's _Great Expectations_ were in that novel; I think that's what Dickens was shooting for here.
Before you start the novel you need to be aware that reading _Bleak House_ is a commitment, as it is long and complex. I'm also glad I used an e-reader, since the vocabulary is a little mid-19th century and I needed to look up quite a few words.
It was definitely a commitment, you're right about that. But also very much worth it! :)
bleak house was my first dickens ever and I only started reading classics this year. the first 400 or so pages was just filled with so much character introduction and plot set up that I got overwhelmed and almost gave up, but im just so glad I didn't because I started to see how it all was woven together and loved it so much, it was fascinating.
Great review. I loved the BBC 2005 adaptation. The unseen, omnipresent character is the Jarndyce case. It hangs over all the comings and goings. A real cautionary tale not to go to Law too lightly.
Great review! Bleak House is my favourite book, but it is complex, so it's exciting to hear others enjoy it!
Also, I second the mini-series comment, I watched it after I read the book, but it's a great adaptation with incredible casting!!!
I still need to watch it haha. Glad you enjoyed the review; I might do a more in depth look at this book the next time I read it :)
I am halfway through Bleak House and it’s so so good! Lady Dedlock is my absolute favorite
I have finished Bleak House, and yeah, it's one of my new favorite books. David Copperfield is still my all-time favorite Dickens, but Bleak House is a close second.
I think I'm probably with you there. David Copperfield feels more "colourful" than Bleak House, if that makes any kind of sense. :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Yes, I agree. Even though I agree with you that Esther Summerson was not as boring as some people make her out to be, I still was more attached to David and to the people in his life. I was told to read Middlemarch by many different sources. Is this one you have read?
@@connorshirs I haven't read Middlemarch, but I do have it in my audiobook library waiting for me.
I’m reading it right now and loving it.. However even though I’ve read quite a few Dickens, I’ve had to keep a character list with me to keep track lol. Dickens has always been my favorite author!
Wow, this is such a great review! Your enthusiasm is contagious!
Haha thanks! :)
My favourite of all of Dickens works. I can't add anything other than the much deserved praise that others who are more eloquent than I have already said.
Good review. I'm half way through reading Bleak House. Some of it is very stodgy to read, like wading through a swimming pool full of treacle, other sections flow much better. There are some fantastic character descriptions, so many eccentric characters, some sinister characters too. By the way, Joe is a street-sweeper, not a chimney-sweep, just to be pedantic!
Gillian Anderson starring in the ‘Bleak House’ miniseries is how I first heard of that Charles Dickens’ novel.
I also loved Anderson’s performance as Miss Havisham from the 2011 ‘Great Expectations’ miniseries. I especially liked that adaptation.
I didn't know Gillian Anderson was in an adaption of Bleak House. Did she play Lady Dedlock? I can see her doing really well in that role!
Joshua J Clarke-Kelsall
Yup. Anderson was Lady Dedlock and was brilliant in the role as she always is.
One of Miriam Margolyes's observations in her solo stage show "Dickens's Women" is that the young heroines tend to be very similar to each other, with domestic virtue as their main character trait, but quite passive in the story, and (weirdly) most of them are 17 years old. The only one I can think of who really breaks the mould is Esther from Bleak House. Maybe it's to do with her part of the story being told in the first person: Dickens needed to give her more agency, so that she could get out and about and witness more events. A lot of that is as Mr Jarndyce's assistant on his errands of mercy, but she also acts on her own, e.g. as confidante and supporter of Caddy Jellyby.
I'm a big fan of the 1985 TV adaptation - even more than the 2005 one. Where 2005's pivoted away from Mr Jarndyce and toward Mr Tulkinghorn, 1985's kept its emphasis more similar to the book's, and Denholm Elliott did an outstanding job of playing Mr Jarndyce.
Yeah I think Margoyle's is right, although I think there are a few more exceptions to the rule. Nancy from Oliver Twist comes to mind! Is there footage of that stage show online though? I would love to see it if there is!
I'll have to see if I can get hold of the 1985 adaption too. :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall I saw the show in person (on MM's 71st birthday, as it turned out when the producer invaded the stage at the end with a bunch of flowers!) and don't know whether it's online, sorry. Her website mentions a CD version, but the link is broken.
@@tomscrafts Wow that must have been great! I hope the link gets working soon in that case.
I enjoy the music in the background 🎶🎶✨ 📚 trying to try Dickens. Anne Rice and Stephen King both throw back to Dickens. My boss mentioned Bleak House in a team building meeting 😂😂 and here I am…
I just bought this book and really enjoy it so far! I love your review
Thanks very much. I hope you enjoy the rest of it too! :)
Loved this. Like being in the SU bar with someone. I've been oppressed by this bloody book since I read it at college. I'm at gums shrinking age now and just reread it. Wonderful read, but still found it just SO oppressive. Surely more structured than David Copperfield? Mystery clues, the pointing motif, etc? Interesting. Looking for more of your vids now. Thank you.
Haha thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!
It is a great book, but definitely a bit of a beast to get through. Listening the audiobook by Miriam Margoles definitely helped bring it to life though. I think in general Dicken's "reads" a lot better when read aloud. I think you're write about structure there now I think of it.
A favorable book to read non violent sad occasions happy endings
This my next Dickens book to read. I got through War and Peace, The Pickwick Papers and The Magic Mountain this should be a piece of cake😅
If you can get through War and Peace, you can get through anything! :P
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall thanks for encouragement on getting through Bleak House😀 I forgot I had read Gone With the Wind (very long) also while back, now, that was a really good book, after reading I could see why it’s so famous, probably be same with Bleak House.
“Favorite female characters of all time…” 🤩 ✨✨
dude, is that Annabelle sitting on your sofa?
Hahaha, maybe...... :P
Just being honest: you lost me at that horrid mispronunciation of Miriam Margolyes’ name.
@@etschmitz "Just being honest" = just being rude for no reason. Bye!