Bleak House - Chapters VIII-X

In which I talk about May's chapters of the Victorian-style readalong of Bleak House...
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[@chrisriddles9460]

Another brilliant analysis Katie. You are for me the epitomy of a busy bee provider. Thank you so much for your generosity through your wonderful channel.

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks very much!

[@roserobinson6411]

I love how Dickens can create such an interesting and varied cast of characters and describe them so well that I feel like I am seeing and hearing them (Mrs. Snagsby's sharp nose, Boythorn's booming voice). Even his descriptions of smells makes my nose wrinkle!

[@katiejlumsden]

There really are such a wide range of characters.

[@mae9064]

Great insights thanks Katie

[@Thespian32]

Really enjoying this readalong and your monthly videos really help to keep up and spurs me to read the next section

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks Brian :)

[@iBernify]

This readalong is great and your wrap up videos really add to the enjoyment, and also aid my poor memory. I had completely forgotten about Mr. Boythorne by the middle of June! I love Dicken’s characters, particularly the non-angelic ones.

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! I hope you continue to enjoy it :)

[@booksandallthatjazz1654]

Thanks for your commentary. I finished the book, reading a couple of chapters a day over two months and found this suited me. An enjoyable read. I will continue to watch your reviews as it's such a delight to listen to someone talk so positively and enthusiastically about a book. More to the point though is that your comments bring back my fond reading of the novel and help me to better comprehend and appreciate what I read.

[@katiejlumsden]

I'm glad to hear you liked the book. My videos will be ongoing for a pretty long time! Such an interesting read :)

[@laurac56]

I am enjoying this read along so much! The book is excellent and the short amount to be read each month is so doable. I love your wrap ups and they not only help me to remember what I read/listened to (I am doing both simultaneously) but point out details that I may have missed or forgotten.

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks! I've been loving Bleak House so far - such a rich book, and plenty to discuss.

[@cynthiaespinoza4514]

I'm definitely keeping up with this reading weekly, and I appreciate your insights so much! I take notes on every chapter as I read as well. Thank you!

[@katiejlumsden]

I hope you continue to enjoy it :)

[@MrGalonge]

Fantastic analysis!

[@katiejlumsden]

Thanks :)

[@Maria_Efe]

Having watched the tv series, I knew Mr. Guppy would propose to Esther, but I didn't expect him to do so after having met her only once! I adore those proposal refusals in 19th century novels! XD Thank you for your brilliant analysis. I am enjoying the book more than I expected and I'm looking forward to the next chapters! :)

[@katiejlumsden]

Me too - the proposal refusals in 19th century books are just amazing!

[@listenerab]

Have you read the George Orwell essay on Dickens?

[@KevTheImpaler]

I wondered whether Esther minded being called Little Woman, Dame Durden, etc. Also, I wondered whether she was very pretty. Mr Guppy seems to think so. I wondered who used to keep house for Mr Jarndyce if it took so much work. I wondered how ill at ease Esther and Ada must have felt at the brick layers' house.

[@katiejlumsden]

Certainly they seem to be rather uncomfortable. Esther's such an interesting character.

[@kevingreenwood1900]

I like Boythorn a lot, and what a great name. It is the secondary characters I like the best in this work. Especially two or three to whom we have not been introduced as of now. Boythorn is brash and loud but kind. He is very American in his way.

[@readingclosely2160]

It's so interesting that you call Boythorn "very American"; his personality reminds me very much of Theodore Roosevelt!

[@kevingreenwood1900]

I agree. I'd love to expound on Boythorn and Teddy Roosevelt but will have to do so later as it contains spoilers.

[@katiejlumsden]

Weird, I always see Boythorn as super British, just a particular kind of blustering British! Such a great character regardless.

[@readingclosely2160]

Very intriguing. I'll be interested to learn more at the appropriate point in the narrative.

[@rachelport3723]

I don't think Esther thinks marriage with Mr. Guppy is impossible because of her birth. Esther is of a higher class than Mr. Guppy is, as is shown in their speech and the people they associate with. Esther, for all her housekeeping, is treated as an equal at Bleak House, and is considered a suitable friend for Ada and Richard, and for Mr. Jarndyce himself. It's impossible for her to consider trying to love Mr. Guppy. The Esther chapters are difficult because she has to talk so much about how much people praise her and come to love her. In that, it just feels like too much sometimes.

[@katiejlumsden]

Yes, Esther's an odd one for saying she thinks very little of herself and then telling us how highly everyone else thinks of her. I don't think she is completely treated as an equal at Bleak House - she is expected to be a kind of housekeeper, to place a role in the running of the house, whereas Ada absolutely never is, although the difference in their age isn't great. I also think the mention of the old days and her doll at the end of the Guppy chapter are an allusion back to memories of her origin and birth.

[@rachelport3723]

But she is a gentlewoman, even if she is a dependent. Guppy doesn't come close to being a gentleman. I think the Esther chapters would work better without her over-the-top modesty. It just feels too coy.