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Bleak House by Charles Dickens
Apr. 20th, 2008 08:28 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce has been grinding its way through the courts for generations.
At its heart are Ada Clare and RIchard Carstone, who find love - and terrible loss - through their involvement in the endless legal battle. Meanwhile, their friend Esther Summerson, who believes she is an orphan, gradually discovers the truth of her identity. The court case throws out a web ensnaring all who come near it - from haughty Lady Deadlock, hiding the truth about her past, and the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn to determined detective Bucket, on the trail of a murderer, and tragic little waif Jo, holding the key to the mystery.
Secrets emerge, horrific crimes are committed and love affairs bloom, but will anyone ever benefit from the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce? Or will the quest for an inheritance come at a terrible cost?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
It's not an easy read and the sheer size of it means that it's not great commuter reading material. However the story is gripping, Dickens is fully in control of the material and it's not as sentimental as I thought it would be. Definitely worth a look.
The case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce has been grinding its way through the courts for generations.
At its heart are Ada Clare and RIchard Carstone, who find love - and terrible loss - through their involvement in the endless legal battle. Meanwhile, their friend Esther Summerson, who believes she is an orphan, gradually discovers the truth of her identity. The court case throws out a web ensnaring all who come near it - from haughty Lady Deadlock, hiding the truth about her past, and the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn to determined detective Bucket, on the trail of a murderer, and tragic little waif Jo, holding the key to the mystery.
Secrets emerge, horrific crimes are committed and love affairs bloom, but will anyone ever benefit from the case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce? Or will the quest for an inheritance come at a terrible cost?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): ) The Verdict:
It's not an easy read and the sheer size of it means that it's not great commuter reading material. However the story is gripping, Dickens is fully in control of the material and it's not as sentimental as I thought it would be. Definitely worth a look.
