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Bleak House
Apr. 15th, 2026 01:54 pmI put Proust to one side. He was going on and on- at inordinate length- about the Duchess of Guermantes (not to be confused with the Princess of Guermantes) a person who interests me very little.
And I picked up Bleak House.
Fourth time of reading? I think so.
These big books, every time you pick 'em up the experience is rather different.
I'm struck by how well constructed it is.
I never liked Esther Summerson but now I find I do. Her fake modesty is rather endearing.....
I'm disconcerted by the degree to which my philosophy of life accords with that of the calculating scrounger, Harold Skimpole.
I find it hard to believe that Lady Dedlock would have concealed her past from her husband- or that he would have been bothered by her having had one. The English aristocracy has never been in thrall to Middle Class morality....
And I picked up Bleak House.
Fourth time of reading? I think so.
These big books, every time you pick 'em up the experience is rather different.
I'm struck by how well constructed it is.
I never liked Esther Summerson but now I find I do. Her fake modesty is rather endearing.....
I'm disconcerted by the degree to which my philosophy of life accords with that of the calculating scrounger, Harold Skimpole.
I find it hard to believe that Lady Dedlock would have concealed her past from her husband- or that he would have been bothered by her having had one. The English aristocracy has never been in thrall to Middle Class morality....
