‘Bleak House’ Comes To The End

Last night I finished reading my Folio Society edition of ‘Bleak House’ By Charles Dickens.

First published in instalments from March 1852 to August 1853, this is a superb novel from a writer at the peak of his powers. As is my wont I will not provide details of the story which other readers may wish to discover for themselves, save to say that, through the interminable case of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce, it is a scathing attack on the Court of Chancery, but so much more besides. The scope and complexity of the author’s work reflects that of the legal system itself.

A host of brilliantly depicted characters thread their ways through the narrative in a more thoroughly composed manner than in any of his previous works. There is an abundance of Dickens’s wit and humour and both bucolic and sordid urban descriptions.

There is romance and mystery awaiting resolution at the end of the book, when, as usual, the concluding situations of the panoply of protagonists and supporting characters are strung together like neatly tied bundles of Chancery papers.

There are also desperately tragic lives hopelessly ruined by conditions of the day.

Christopher Hibbert’s introduction is as knowledgeable and informative as usual.

Before lunch I scanned the last four illustrations by the truly inimitable Charles Keeping.

In ‘ ‘I beg to lay the ouse, the business, and myself before Miss Summerson’ ‘ Keeping has suggested the gulf between the speaker and his audience both by the use of the space in the double spread, and by the expressions on the faces.

‘Even the clerks were laughing’ has its own story to tell.

‘The mausoleum in the park’ is suitably forbidding;

and ‘Bleak House’ Mark 2 quite the opposite.

Following Flo’s lead of transferring barrow loads of compost to the Rose Garden yesterday,

Jackie, who had cleaned out the water fountain, and I continued tidying the

said Garden, now featuring plentiful forget-me-nots and bluebells.

Later, Flo spread more compost on the Pond Bed.

(Yvonne, you need read no further)

This evening we dined on Jackie’s perfectly cooked roast lamb dinner; complete with crisp Yorkshire pudding, sage and onion stuffing, and roast potatoes, including the sweet variety; crunchy carrots, firm broccoli, and tender cabbage; all with meaty gravy. Rice pudding laced with strawberry jam was to follow. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2019.

78 comments

  1. Sometimes I want to finish a book, but I also don’t want to come to an end. Wonderful drawings.

    The garden is beautiful, and Jackie shines brightly within it.
    I’m with Yvonne for the meal–at least the beginning. The vegetables sound great! ?

    Reply

  16. Despite you very thoughtful warning, my eyes immediately leapt to the dreaded “L” word.

    But, the rice pudding sounds yummy.

    Reply

  18. You have summarised the classic beautifully while retaining the suspense of the story. Sometimes, the hard hitting styles and techniques of modern writers makes me want to read Charles Dickens’s books again. Charles Keeping has remained faithful and astute till the end.

    The garden is never short of intense activities, thanks to the passionate Head Gardener. She looks pleased at the proceedings.

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  23. Dickens, before becoming a published author, spent a lot of time in the Courts and studied the criminals and judicial system of those days. His satirical humour is aplenty in many of his novels.

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  31. Great post, Derrick. I just finished the book tonight. ” it is a scathing attack on the Court of Chancery, but so much more besides. The scope and complexity of the author’s work reflect that of the legal system itself.” Even the subtle conversations, especially of the attorneys, the detailed descriptions, and complicated relationships alluded to this theme of the court system. I had a vague notion of that, but you stated it succinctly.

    Reply
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  33. Just wanted to say thanks again for your bleak house shares
    You rock!

    And this is my fav part of this post –

    “There is romance and mystery awaiting resolution at the end of the book, when, as usual, the concluding situations of the panoply of protagonists and supporting characters are strung together like neatly tied bundles of Chancery papers.

    There are also desperately tragic lives hopelessly ruined by conditions of the day.”

    Reply
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