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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bleak House Read Along Thoughts: Week Two


Six more chapters down! Even though at times it seems like nothing is happening, (as our host Amanda feels) I say that if you look closely, you may find that there really is stuff happening. For instance:
  • A dead body is discovered! Did he kill himself on purpose or on accident? What's is story? Why was he nice to the vagrants in the street? 
  • There's a marriage proposal. Yes, our Esther has caught the eye of Mr. Guppy. But alas, she does not want it...
  • .... and now we have a full fledged stalker! Mr. Guppy get a life!
  • Ada and Richard are in love, which is not surprising at all. It seems especially sweet and sappy. Does this mean it's too good to be true?
  • We learn about a family where abuse and neglect are the norm. What's their story?
Things I'm intrigued by:
  • the dead body. I found it interesting how sad I am that we didn't get to know this person better. He seemed like he would have been a fascinating character, in a Heathcliff sort of way! (Healthcliff haters... shush!) But maybe there's more to his story than meets the eye.
  • the bricklayer's family. Sad goings on there. Will we see them again? Perhaps.
  • and then there's Mrs. Pardiggle and her family of boys, also abused. Will we see them again?
  • that last sentence of our week's assignment regarding a handsome young surgeon. Is love in the future for Esther? I bet so. And I really hope it's NOT Mr. Jarndyce, Guardian Extraordinaire!
  • Did you catch the look between Our Lady Dedlock and Mr. Tulkinghorn? Did they have something to do with the dead body?
Things that bug me:
  • long chapters that seem to have nothing to do with the story.
  • the relationship between Esther and Ada. Weird.
  • TONS of characters to keep track of. 
  • bored rich old ladies. 
Yes, this book is slow going at parts. But I'm still committed and will continue to give it a chance.

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5 comments:

  1. Karen K.September 2, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    By bored rich old ladies, do you mean Lady Dedlock? She's actually in her early 40s, much younger than Sir Leicester. Gillian Anderson played her in the movie.

    And I totally agree about Mr. Guppy. I don't know why Esther is being so wishy washy. She needs to tell Kenge & Carboy to tell him to shape up and get a life. How can he afford all these clothes and theater tickets?

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2010 at 6:18 PM

    Oh boy. I'm so behind. I'm just barely passed the first assignment. Yikes. I need to focus! Thanks for reminding me to get on the ball.

    And go you for keeping up. It is definitely slow going, but I've heard it livens up.

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  3. AmandaSeptember 3, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    Thankfully the 3rd Week is looking up for the host! :D

    I actually like the relationship between Esther and Ada.

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  4. CGLnycSeptember 3, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    I totally forgot to even mention Richard and Ada. And the sadness of the poor/neglectful - it really is strange. I also felt pretty bad when reading about the poor little orphan boy who wasn't even fit to give testimony on the dead guy - how tragic!

    I'm finding it hard to keep up with the cast of characters. I read the bulk of stuff the last few days and am sure I've mixed stuff up.

    Healthcliff! Oh, you said to shush. Ok. :)

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  5. Annette LyonSeptember 7, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    I read BH in college for a Dickens course. I remember LOTS of characters, a slow plot, but overall liking it, even if it was darker than a lot of other Dickens.

    I ended up writing a paper on it for a second English class, and the prof was SO impressed I'd read it for the assignment. He had no idea it was a 2 birds w/ 1 stone situation. :D

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