Bleak House
Bleak House by Charles Dickens, published by Penguin Publishing Group on March 27, 2003, is a reissue of the classic novel that spans 1,036 pages. This edition presents Dickens’s critical examination of the British legal system through the convoluted case of ‘Jarndyce and Jarndyce,’ which intertwines the lives of various characters, including Ada and Richard Clare, Esther Summerson, and Inspector Bucket. The narrative highlights the societal injustices and complexities of the legal process, offering a vivid portrayal of both the aristocracy and the impoverished classes of London.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of characters and themes as Dickens explores the absurdities of the law and its impact on individuals. The novel is noted for its blend of humor and social critique, making it a significant work in the literary canon. This edition includes all original illustrations by ‘Phiz’ and features appendices that delve into the Chancery and the concept of spontaneous combustion. Additionally, Terry Eagleton’s preface provides insights into character development and positions Bleak House as an early example of detective fiction, enhancing the reader’s understanding of this multifaceted narrative.
Official synopsis Publisher
Charles Dickens’s masterful assault on the injustices of the British legal system
As the interminable case of ‘Jarndyce and Jarndyce’ grinds its way through the Court of Chancery, it draws together a disparate group of people: Ada and Richard Clare, whose inheritance is gradually being devoured by legal costs; Esther Summerson, a ward of court, whose parentage is a source of deepening mystery; the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn; the determined sleuth Inspector Bucket; and even Jo, the destitute little crossing-sweeper. A savage, but often comic, indictment of a society that is rotten to the core, Bleak House is one of Dickens’s most ambitious novels, with a range that extends from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the poorest of London slums. This edition follows the first book edition of 1853, and includes all the original illustrations by ‘Phiz’, as well as appendices on the Chancery and spontaneous combustion. In his preface, Terry Eagleton examines characterisation and considers Bleak House as an early work of detective fiction.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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