Bleak House

Biographical Note:
After a childhood blighted by poverty, commercial success came early to Charles Dickens (1812-70). By the age of 24, he was an international sensation whose new novels were eagerly anticipated. Two centuries later, Dickens' popularity endures as readers revel in the warm humanity and rollicking humor of his tales of self-discovery.

Brief Description:
"Inspired by an actual court case that dragged on for more than 50 years, Dickens' tale of the inheritance suit between Jarndyce and Jarndyce remains a standard metaphor for legal quagmires. The author drew upon his own experiences as a law clerk and plaintiff to enliven his satire of the English judicial system; a richly plotted tale of secrets, murder, and mystery"--

Table of Contents:
Author's PrefaceI. In ChanceryII. In FashionIII. A ProgressIV. Telescopic PhilanthropyV. A Morning AdventureVI. Quite at HomeVII. The Ghost's WalkVIII. Covering a Multitude of SinsIX. Signs and TokensX. The Law-WriterXI. Our Dear BrotherXII. On the WatchXIII. Esther's NarrativeXIV. DeportmentXV. Bell YardXVI. Tom-All-Alone'sXVII. Esther's NarrativeXVIII. Lady DedlockXIX. Moving OnXX. A New LodgerXXI. The Smallweed FamilyXXII. Mr. BucketXXIII. Esther's NarrativeXXIV. An Appeal CaseXXV. Mrs. Snagsby Sees It AllXXVI. SharpshootersXXVII. More Old Soldiers Than OneXXVIII. The IronmasterXXIX. The Young ManXXX. Esther's NarrativeXXXI. Nurse and PatientXXXII. The Appointed TimeXXXIII. InterlopersXXXIV. A Turn of the ScrewXXXV. Esther's NarrativeXXXVI. Chesney WoldXXXVII. Jarndyce and JarndyceXXXVIII. A StruggleXXXIX. Attorney and ClientXL. National and DomesticXLI. In Mr. Tulkinghorn's RoomXLII. In Mr. Tulkinghorn's ChambersXLIII. Esther's NarrativeXLIV. The Letter and the AnswerXLV. In TrustXLVI. Stop Him!XLVII. Jo's WillXLVIII. Closing InXLIX. Dutiful FriendshipL. Esther's NarrativeLI. EnlightenedLII. ObstinacyLIII. The TrackLIV. Springing a MineLV. FlightLVI. PursuitLVII. Esther's NarrativeLVIII. A Wintry Day and NightLIX. Esther's NarrativeLX. PerspectiveLXI. A DiscoveryLXII. Another DiscoveryLXIII. Steel and IronLXIV. Esther's NarrativeLXV. Beginning the WorldLXVI. Down in LincolnshireLXVII. The Close of Esther's Narrative

Jacket Description/Back:

Dickens' grandest, most virtuosic achievement, Bleak House combines two tales: the story of wealthy Lady Dedlock, recounted in the third person, and that of penniless Esther Summerson, told in her own words. The haughty noblewoman and the orphan are connected by the court case Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a tangle of disputed wills and disrupted inheritance that has tied up the High Court of Chancery for decades.
Inspired by an actual court case that dragged on for more than 50 years, Dickens drew upon his own experiences as a law clerk and plaintiff to enliven his novel, which remains utterly contemporary in its portrait of a system invested in making business for itself at the expense of its plaintiffs. In addition to its complex and compelling portrayal of the English judiciary, Bleak House is also a brilliant detective story in which a police officer, Inspector Bucket, uncovers a richly plotted tale of secrets, murder, and mystery.
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