Bleak House - Charles Dickens

In the High Court of Chancery, enshrouded by a fog of uncertainty, molders the long running case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. A tangle of conflicting wills and indecipherable documents has plunged the question of great inheritance into a state of derision and neglect. Two young wards in the case, cousins Richard and Ada, are summoned into the web of entanglement as possible beneficiaries. Together with orphaned Esther Summerson, they are taken into the care of the kindly but depressive John Jarndyce at Bleak House, who entreats them to avoid all connection with the destructive lawsuit. Meanwhile, mystery and suspicion surrounds the noble Lady Dedlock when the death of a law writer triggers a chain of inquiry by the ruthless family lawyer, Mr Tulkinghorn. As long buried secrets threaten to emerge, a multitude of individuals from all classes of society are unwillingly swept into the deepening intrigue. With its staggering range of characters and subplots, summarising the plot of Bleak House is no easy task.

The tale unfolds through two separate narrators; the omniscient and undefined third-person voice of the author, and the first-person perspective of Esther Summerson. Events unfold at a jarring, disorderly pace as the reader is alternately kept at arm's length and then intimately drawn in to make guesses concerning the conspiracy. Being one of Dickens' most ambitious works, some critics (myself included) say his best, the novel is a sterling example of autobiographical, romantic, domestic, detective, and courtroom drama. The multiplicity of genres inevitably weaves a complex, seemingly unconnected series of intersecting narratives which can at first appear discombobulated. Unlike earlier works of his, Dickens manages to expertly marry these disparate plot threads, suggesting the fulfilment of literary maturity. With enough variety in the way of theme and symbolism to satisfy the most ravenous of professors, most notably the harrowing critique of the English law system, Bleak House shines as a vessel for endless interpretation. In my opinion, the strength of the work lies with its characters.

Boasting well over 60 characters, many of whom receive considerable narrative treatment, and each with his or her exclusive set of mannerisms, quirks, and patterns of speech, the average reader may feel slightly encumbered. Bloated as the pages are with these larger than life caricatures, Bleak House can be seen as a catalogue of grotesqueries; from the high and proud baronet Sir Leicester Dedlock, down to a homeless street urchin named Jo, and all the vagrants, scroungers, schemers, 'telescopic philanthropists', and absurdities in-between. Singling characters out for distinction is an undertaking indeed, but my personal favourite is Harold Skimpole; a sponging (though charming) wastrel insisting on his being a 'mere child' to avoid adult responsibilities. One is almost guaranteed to encounter parallels of their own, real world acquaintances amongst the plethora on offer. Highly recommeded to all lovers of fiction. For those unwilling to tackle the voluminous monster that is Bleak House, there exists a superb televised BBC adaptation from 2005.

Rating: 5/5