Reviews

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

dmfw's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

elizkacz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

alexandre_rl's review against another edition

3.0

Un gros morceau en moins sur ma liste de livres à lire, mais aussi une grosse déception. Les personnages principaux m’ont tous semblé plus inintéressants les uns que les autres et l’intrigue m’a laissé complètement indifférent.

C’est long aussi, interminable même. Je sais que c’est un peu l’idée derrière, puisque c’est une critique du système de justice et des dossiers qui s’éternisent pendant des années jusqu’à l’absurdité, mais ça ne rend pas l’expérience agréable pour autant.

Dickens aurait sans doute pu couper dans le gras sans rien sacrifier de son message et sans perdre son effet. Un roman de 1400 pages, c’est déjà du sport, mais quand tous les personnages sont insupportables, c’est un supplice. Le roman est super bien construit et sa forme a même quelque chose de moderne, mais en définitive quand ni l’histoire, ni la psychologie des personnages, ni les dialogues ne captivent, il ne reste pas grand-chose. Je suis déçu, mais je vais survivre!

ameliawatt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

mjhj888's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I feel like the book is so long, the first half and second half deserve different star ratings. The first half was a real slog. I struggled to keep up with the characters and any sort of overarching plot. But it definitely picked up in the back half, and I think my overall reading experience was positive. I wasn't a huge fan as Esther as a narrator. She was a little too goody goody for me. But I definitely enjoyed the murder mystery element with Mr. Bucket and Lady Dedlock, and I thought Dickens wrapped up things up well...except for that ending... 

phantomwise's review against another edition

5.0

I was a little suspicious at first when looking through the reviews for this book I found nothing lower than three stars at first glance, but I can now with confidence say that holy shit this is a Good Book, probably Dickens' best and one of the best I've ever read, certainly. 10/10, would read again.

ethanawang's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

biolexicon's review against another edition

1.0

Too many characters were introduced too quickly in such a dense, confusing way. I couldn't follow it and after a while was just like, "why do I continue reading?" I didn't have a good answer so I stopped.

jenhurst's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this. I get the complaints it’s long and drawn out but that’s the point. I was so invested in those story that I did not want to put it down. I also adore dickens’ writing and I need to read more by him.

skochara's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0