Day Nineteen

4/19

The Book: Bleak House by Charles Dickens

ISBN: 978-1-59308-311-3

Suggested By: Rebecca Mitchell

Where: Home

When:7:45-8:30p

Music: None

Company: Family

Pages: 136 - 191 (55)

The Lead In:  You know a book is too complicated if you must constantly refer to the first page of the book where there is a list of all the characters. I dunno about Dickens.

The 411 on the 55: Today’s reading opens with a scene in which a poor copier dies. His name was Nemo and he overdoses on Opium. Mrs. Dedlock shows much interest in hearing the story of his death, implying some connection to it.

Richard decides to become a surgeon and becomes an apprentice. Before leaving, much to the happiness of everyone involved he admits to loving Ada, who states the same. Jarndyce is extremely thrilled. Later, while traveling in London, Miss Jellyby admits to getting engaged to the dance instructor’s son on the sly. Jarndyce and Esther give their disapproval. 

Line of the Day: “And, all the night, the coffin stands ready by he old portmanteau; and the lonely figure on the bed, whose path in life has lain through five-and-forty years, lies there, with no more track behind him, that any one can trace, than a deserted infant.” pg 151

The Fact on the Fiction: Hablot Knight Browne, known as Phiz, was illustrator of most of Charles Dickens’ works including Bleak House.  Here is an example of his work: