Bleak House

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Bleak House
Charles Dickens
1853

The Summary
Published in periodical installments through 1853 and 1854, Bleak House follows the story of a young woman named Esther Summerson as she examines events in her life and learns the secret behind her illegitimate birth.

Alternately, Bleak House also tells the story of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, a court case which has lasted for decades, and the ceaseless meanderings of Chancery Court as it corrupts lives, drives individuals insane (or kills them), and tears families apart.


The Good
In Bleak House, Dickens crafts a rich, compelling story full of brilliant characters, interweaving plot lines, and beautiful scenery laced with social commentary.

It's fantastically complex.  In fact, it may just astound you how many connections one author can fit into a single book.

Also, Dickens has a special place in his heart for creating entirely hopeless and laughable characters, like William Guppy (a young law clerk, who often mingles legal jargon with his English so as to almost lose his point completely) or Grandpa Smallweed (a decrepit old man with a rotten heart and a tendency to throw cushions - and his granddaughter - at his wife).

The Bad
Bleak House is no small undertaking.  It has exactly 67 chapters, and most copies contain more than 800 pages, so it is not a novel to be finished in a single afternoon (or a single weekend, I might add).  And, occasionally, the text does become stale, which makes the novel seem even larger and more foreboding.

Additionally, Esther's chapters (which she invariably narrates) sometimes appear dull and contrived.  She, of course, isn't without her merits; however, it isn't until she becomes more critical in her observations and, thus, less concerned about offending the delicate sensibilities of her peers that she grows into a more honest - and, I might say, likeable - character.

The Ugly
Dickens relies heavily on social commentary in his novel.  While social awareness is certainly not a bad thing, it makes for a tragic story.  Many characters, several of whom will become near and dear to your heart, will suffer under a social hierarchy that entirely abandons and disregards them.

And I should mention that Dickens creates a whole host of unpleasant characters.  Like Grandpa Smallweed.  Or Harold Skimpole, an "ancient child" who claims to have no concept of money - but has a habit for spending it just the same - and takes no responsibility for anything or anyone, including his own children.

After meeting a few of these characters, you may just begin wondering when they will keel over and die.

North and South

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North and South
Elizabeth Gaskell
1855

The Summary
North and South follows the life of Margaret Hale, a young woman who has recently rejoined her parents at the family home in Hampshire.  Her return, however, is overshadowed by her father's resignation from the Church.

After a crisis of conscience, Mr. Hale decides to uproot his family from Helstone, a village in the countryside of southern England, in favor of Milton, an industrial town far to the north.  And, for Margaret, life will never be the same.

The Good
Elizabeth Gaskell has a keen eye for detail and an undeniable skill for relating the emotions, thoughts, and temperaments of her characters.  Through her words, they become rich and vibrant individuals with valid concerns and heart-wrenching emotional conflicts.

They seem to take on a life of their very own, which makes them the more near and dear to your heart - and will make you hate to see anything tragic happen to them.

More importantly, Gaskell combines various social elements and ideas to form a well-rounded novel, not one simply propelled by romance alone.  While the growing relationship between Margaret Hale and John Thornton certainly provides fuel for the novel, it does not consume the story or overburden you with unrealistic encounters.

The Bad
For Margaret, this novel not only chronicles her life but records her growth as an individual.  Unfortunately, that growth is forced upon her by extreme circumstances and tragedy.

Not to spoil any surprises, but you might just find your heart breaking once or twice.

The Ugly
Too many romance novels inherit the same pattern, one which has existed since time (or, at least, publishing) began:  two individuals meet, fall in love, suddenly argue or become separated by uncontrollable events (or vehemently deny any affection), and realize later how deeply they love one another.

It's predictable.

And, although North and South branches into many different realms of philosophical thought and social perception, the relationship between Margaret and John Thornton embraces this predictability - which only serves to delay the end of the novel, rather than build suspense.

Lady Audley's Secret

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Lady Audley's Secret
Mary Elizabeth Braddon
1862

The Summary
Compiled into three consecutive volumes, Lady Audley's Secret follows the story of the mysterious Lucy Graham.  After marrying Sir Michael Audley (an aristocratic widower), Lucy - now known as Lady Audley - has become the sweetheart of the county and sparked the curiosity of Robert Audley, her husband's ne'er-do-well nephew.

Alternately, this novel tells the tragic story of George and Helen Talboys.  George, who having left London in search of fortune in Australia, has returned to England in search of his lovely wife only to discover she has died.  Despite being inconsolable over her loss, Robert Audley seeks to lift his friend's spirits by taking a holiday at the Audley estate.

And, then, George Talboys vanishes without a trace, leaving only Robert to investigate his mysterious disappearance and delve into the secrets of Lady Audley's past.


The Good
Mary Braddon doesn't miss a beat with her novel.  In fashioning a story of "accidental bigamy," she has included all the best elements of melodrama, which will keep you glued to your seat.

It's like a Victorian soap opera.  You just can't help but watch.

I will admit, it's occasionally terrible with its breathless pauses and predictable plot.  But it's entertaining nonetheless, especially when Braddon gets down and dirty with whirlwind romances, fraud, blackmail, murder, and madness.

The Bad
Like many Victorian authors, Braddon originally published her novel as a serialized story over a period of nearly twelve months.  So, Lady Audley's Secret will occasionally drag along at a snail's pace, as if the author simply couldn't make up her mind how to end the story.

And, holding at three full volumes, the ending of Lady Audley's Secret may not come soon enough.

The Ugly
Ugly things can come in pretty packages.

And, yes, I am talking about Lady Audley.  You'll learn fairly quickly she isn't all sunshine and rainbows and sweetness - think, instead, of cyanide wrapped in lace and silk.

Native Son

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Native Son
Richard Wright
1940

The Summary
Native Son chronicles a brief time in the life of Bigger Thomas, a young black man living in Chicago before the outbreak of World War II.

This novel reveals the conditions Bigger confronts while living in Chicago's "Black Belt," such as a rat-infested apartment, inflated rent prices, racism, fear, and hatred, and how his growing anger with the status quo results in an irrevocable crime that may cost him his life.

The Good
For such an emotionally and psychologically complex novel, Richard Wright has made Native Son into an accessible story.  Despite its great length, Native Son reads fairly easily and pages nearly turn by themselves.  Moreover, Wright clearly defines his characters and gives them a depth rivaled only by the poignant nature of his novel.

The Bad
Wright has no intention of pulling punches with this novel.  It is a raw and uncompromising look at Bigger's life and his rising resentment - and clarity - concerning the segregation of and corruption in society.

Additionally, Wright never seeks to make Bigger a likeable character; instead, he looks to toy with your emotions and twist your sympathies into knots and wear your nerves raw.  Like John Steinbeck with The Grapes of Wrath, he will force you to look at the uglier side of human existence for long periods of time and rub your nose in the ultimate unfairness of society.

The Ugly
Racism, hatred, fear, and anger permeate every page of Wright's novel.  The treatment Bigger faces from the larger (and richer) white population of Chicago and his own actions in retaliation will undoubtedly appall and disgust.

Although Native Son promises accessibility to readers with its straightforward language and uncomplicated dialogue, this novel sometimes requires a break.  Murder, brutality, racism, questionable actions, and extreme violations of human rights are just the tip of the iceberg.

And, I can assure you, putting aside this novel may be required for the particularly harsh scenes; otherwise, I see no way of surviving Native Son with your emotional stability intact.