Bleak House

As the interminable case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce grinds its way through the Court of Chancery, it draws together a disparate group of people: Ada and Richard Clare, whose inheritance is gradually being devoured by legal costs; Esther Summerson, a ward of court, whose parentage is a source of deepening mystery; the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn; the determined sleuth Inspector Bucket; and even Jo, the destitute little crossing-sweeper. A savage, but often comic, indictment of a society that is rotten to the core, Bleak House is one of Dickens' most ambitious novels, with a range that extends from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the poorest of London slums.

Introduction --

Select bibliography --

Chronology --

List of illustrations --

List of characters --

Author's preface --

In Chancery --

In fashion --

A Progress --

Telescopic philanthropy --

A Morning adventure --

Quite at home --

The Ghost's walk --

Covering a multitude of sins --

Signs and tokens --

The Law-writer --

Our dear brother --

On the watch --

Esther's narrative --

Deportment --

Bell yard --

Tom-all-alone's --

Lady Dedlock --

Moving on --

A New lodger --

The Smallweed family --

Mr. Bucket --

An Appeal case --

Mrs. Snagsby sees it all --

Sharpshooters --

More old soldiers than one --

The Ironmaster --

The Young man --

Nurse and patient --

The Appointed time --

Interlopers --

A Turn of the screw --

Chesney world --

Jarndyce and Jarndyce --

A Struggle --

Attorney and client --

National and domestic --

In Mr. Tulkinghorn's room --

In Mr. Tulkinghorn's chambers --

The Letter and the answer --

In trust --

Stop him! --

Jo's will --

Closing in --

Dutiful friendship --

Enlightened --

Obstinacy --

The Track --

Springing a mine --

Flight --

Pursuit --

A Wintry day and night --

Perspective --

A Discovery --

Another discovery --

Steel and iron --

Beginning the world --

Down in Lincolnshire --

The Close of Esther's narrative --

Appendix --

Introduction to the original Everyman edition / G.K. Chesterton.