Bleak House

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Vance

First published in monthly parts from March 1852 to September 1853, this novel follows the fortunes of three pedestrian characters; Esther Summerson, Ada Clare, and Richard Carstone. The story they tell embondies Dickens' merciless indictment of the Court of Chancery and its bungling, morally corrupt handling of the endless case of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce, giving the novel its scope and meaning.

Starting with Esther's account of her lonely, unhappy childhood, her role as protégée of the worthy John Jarndyce, Richard and Ada's guardian, the tale develops the relations between the three young people in the Jarndyce household. Numerous other characters contribute to the complex portrait of society which emerges from the novel. They include the romantic, effusive, and unworldly Harold Skimpole (based on Leigh Hunt, poet, journalist, and critic, who published The Examiner in which he introduced the public to Keats and Shelley); the boisterous, short-tempered Boythorn (based on Walter Savage Landor, poet and essayist, mentor to Robert Browning); Krook, the rag-and-bottle shopkeeper who dies a hideous death by 'spontaneous combustion'; Gridley and the crazed Miss Flite, both ruined by Chancery; Mrs. Jellyby, neglectful of domestic responsibilities in favor of 'telescope philanthropy'; the greasy Mr. Chadband, a parson 'of no particular denomination'; and Conversation Kenge and Mr. Vholes, lawyers both.

Of particular importance to the moral design of the novel is Jo, the crossing-sweeper whose brutish life and death are the instruments for one of Dickens' most savage judgments on an indifferent society.

(P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Dickens could not have performed better than Robert Whitfield does here....His brilliant dramatizations range from a homeless street urchin to an arrogant barrister, from a canny old windbag to a high-minded heroine who deserves the happy ending Dickens affords her....This may be one of the most Dickensian novels Dickens ever wrote." (Library Journal)

Fog and law

I have long had an abiding love for Dickens’ works, and have re-read most of them three or more times. However, for years I never got past the first two chapters of Bleak House, which comprised easily the most depressing and dense introduction to any of his masterpieces. When I eventually did, I enjoyed the book, but still found it hard to shake off the pall cast by the initial atmosphere of foggy legal morass. This is a tribute to the sheer power Dickens’ writing, which is here meant to take a heavy toll on the reader. For these reasons, it’s the only one of his works I’ve never re-read. I found that listening to the introduction to Bleak House was a little easier than reading it, partially because the narrative flows as I drive, being a captive audience, and partially because of the skill of the narrator, Robert Whitfield. As the chapters progress, the book introduces more variety, and becomes easier to bear. It develops into a truly great book, in the manner of (and definitely the equal of) Crime and Punishment. Like that work, it deserves your attention, but if you’re new to Dickens, it would be wiser to start with another of his works.

Unbelievable narrator!

Long story with the expected twists and turns. The performance of Simon Vance in the readibg of this novel was exceptional. I found it a very enjoyable listen although some of the characters were grating at times.

not the best Dickens, but still Dickens

Not on par with Copperfield, Two Cities, or even Expectations. However there are still lovable and loathsome characters, wonderfully perfect scenes, and of course, beautiful writing. I also always enjoy this narrator.

Really Solid production of a slightly lesser Dickens

It’s a great narration on a great book. That said there are much stronger Dickens books to read.

Great book and really nice production

Read and listen to this book. It’s Dickens at his best, and the narrator is phenomenal.