tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post7125696792799487850..comments2024-02-11T10:58:23.271-08:00Comments on Reading to Know: Reader's Diary - Bleak HouseCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-75920120755847470602014-03-29T08:24:20.335-07:002014-03-29T08:24:20.335-07:00I just finished Bleak House and pretty much worked...I just finished Bleak House and pretty much worked up my review - will probably post it M or T next week. I remembered that you had read it and looked up the review - I thought I remembered that you liked it, but I guess not. :-)<br /><br />Even liking Dickens, it took a long while to get into this one. It's not until chapter 16 or so that he begins bringing all the different elements together, and there are some 4 dozen characters. I would have had a hard time reading it because it would have monopolized so much of my reading time, but listening via audiobook helps because then it's enlivening those times where I am doing something with my hands but am free to think abut something else. That would be hard to do at your stage of life with littles around, but maybe someday that might b a good option for you. I haven't seen the miniseries mentioned yet but would like to some day.<br /><br />Dickens does provide a very satisfying ending to most of his books, and this was no exception. I liked where Esther ended up, was saddened at how Lady Dedlock and Richard ended up. Barbara H.http://barbarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-31100127383413180522008-12-15T09:14:00.000-08:002008-12-15T09:14:00.000-08:00Dickens was a hack. I agree with you so much: BORI...Dickens was a hack. I agree with you so much: BORING! I did like A Tale of Two Cities, but even a pulp writer can come with an occasional good work. (Enough monkeys at typewriters could produce Shakespeare.)One good book is not at all characteristic of Dickens.<BR/><BR/>Dickens wrote for Victorian England. His chip on the shoulder from his dysfunctional impoverished family is utterly tiresome.<BR/><BR/>I had the unmitigated gall in high school English to pan Great Expectations (an ironic title) and was flunked for the semester. That seemed to prove to me that I was on the mark.<BR/><BR/>I'll stick with Ayn Rand and Plutarch.Epamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07635475185740779337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-38335912746925153472008-11-15T13:52:00.000-08:002008-11-15T13:52:00.000-08:00I believe I suggested you AVOID the book and watch...I believe I suggested you AVOID the book and watch the BBC instead. And, I think this is the only book I have ever read where I believe that! I love the rich language of Dickens and would read the entire thing cover to cover just to wallow in his words, but I imagine most people wouldn't care for the book - it is just too long for many modern readers. Esther gets a wonderful ending, by the way, but, props to you for at last having a taste!Mirlandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08798009587580889308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-81237988840022545332008-11-07T20:03:00.000-08:002008-11-07T20:03:00.000-08:00Ok, it's up. http://libraryhospital.blogspot.com/2...Ok, it's up. http://libraryhospital.blogspot.com/2008/11/bleak-house-by-charles-dickens.htmlSarah M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-10447034651889693892008-10-29T22:12:00.000-07:002008-10-29T22:12:00.000-07:00Well, I like Jennifer's point of view best, y'all....Well, I like Jennifer's point of view best, y'all. ;)Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-64536529487495557052008-10-29T11:42:00.000-07:002008-10-29T11:42:00.000-07:00Oh, Dickens, how do I love thee? Seriously, thoug...Oh, Dickens, how do I love thee? Seriously, though, Oliver Twist was key to me. I laughed so hard, cringed, enjoyed the honest descriptions of life, and cheered for Oliver to make it through it all. Yes, he rambles, but THAT'S WHAT IS SO FUNNY. Okay, you don't have to like him, fine, but I'm excited that I have so many of his books left to read!<BR/><BR/>Nineteenth century literature is by far my favorite. It just clicks with me, somehow.Ronnicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545460026004087995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-14870944726799159482008-10-28T16:12:00.000-07:002008-10-28T16:12:00.000-07:00I don't think Dickens won. I think you beat him.I don't think Dickens won. I think you beat him.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789250398792504412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-81365768176380451982008-10-28T13:18:00.000-07:002008-10-28T13:18:00.000-07:00I think my highly-developed skimming sense helps m...I think my highly-developed skimming sense helps me get through Dickens. Useful with any nineteenth-century novelist (except Austen, who managed to escape that urge to ramble on endlessly about tangential points). I would try the miniseries, although I haven't watched it. But generally movie adaptations of Dickens are quite good. You get all the great characters and implausible plot constructions without having to wade through all the extraneous stuff. We LOVED the miniseries of Our Mutual Friend.Queen of Carrotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03193758647591339890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-40474449079854132192008-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:002008-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:00I can totally understand why you got lost in such ...I can totally understand why you got lost in such a long book. Even if you never give it a shot again, you might find that you enjoy the BBC dvd of Bleak House with Gillian Anderson. It's long, but if you can hang in there a bit, the details do come together to make a very interesting story. I very much enjoyed the movie and was glad I put in the time to finish it. Maybe some day I'll give the book a try, but not without refreshing myself with the movie so I don't get lost in the plot.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07091021503612464756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-45084157630922795742008-10-27T16:01:00.000-07:002008-10-27T16:01:00.000-07:00Noooooooooooooooo! I got all excited when I saw yo...Noooooooooooooooo! I got all excited when I saw your blog post and (I admit, a little jealous. I thought you had finished it and here I am still plugging along...) only to find out you've not even got half way and have quit. Sniff sniff... Oh I wish you hadn't given up.<BR/><BR/>Well stay tuned for my review, I've got 300 pages to go.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the Faerie Queen... I have NO interest in picking up that one... talk about LOOOOOONG. Hehe :)Sarah M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08658247100019831005noreply@blogger.com