ClassicNovels

A novel, 1853

Bleak House

Charles Dickens

Esther Summerson, raised to feel ashamed of her unknown birth, finds affection and purpose as housekeeper to the generous John Jarndyce at Bleak House.

67 chapters · about 23 hours

Begin Bleak House →Contents

How it begins

London. Michaelmas term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln’s Inn Hall. Implacable November weather.

Chapter 1: In ChanceryKeep reading →

About the book

Length

67 chapters

First published

1853

Shelves

Contents

  1. Chapter 1: In Chancery10 min
  2. Chapter 2: In Fashion12 min
  3. Chapter 3: A Progress31 min
  4. Chapter 4: Telescopic Philanthropy19 min
  5. Chapter 5: A Morning Adventure23 min
  6. Chapter 6: Quite at Home35 min
  7. Chapter 7: The Ghost’s Walk17 min
  8. Chapter 8: Covering a Multitude of Sins33 min
  9. Chapter 9: Signs and Tokens25 min
  10. Chapter 10: The Law-Writer17 min
  11. Chapter 11: Our Dear Brother23 min
  12. Chapter 12: On the Watch22 min
  13. Chapter 13: Esther’s Narrative24 min
  14. Chapter 14: Deportment34 min
  15. Chapter 15: Bell Yard25 min
  16. Chapter 16: Tom-all-Alone’s14 min
  17. Chapter 17: Esther’s Narrative23 min
  18. Chapter 18: Lady Dedlock28 min
  19. Chapter 19: Moving On22 min
  20. Chapter 20: A New Lodger23 min
  21. Chapter 21: The Smallweed Family27 min
  22. Chapter 22: Mr. Bucket21 min
  23. Chapter 23: Esther’s Narrative29 min
  24. Chapter 24: An Appeal Case30 min
  25. Chapter 25: Mrs. Snagsby Sees It All14 min
  26. Chapter 26: Sharpshooters21 min
  27. Chapter 27: More Old Soldiers Than One20 min
  28. Chapter 28: The Ironmaster18 min
  29. Chapter 29: The Young Man15 min
  30. Chapter 30: Esther’s Narrative26 min
  31. Chapter 31: Nurse and Patient26 min
  32. Chapter 32: The Appointed Time21 min
  33. Chapter 33: Interlopers23 min
  34. Chapter 34: A Turn of the Screw25 min
  35. Chapter 35: Esther’s Narrative25 min
  36. Chapter 36: Chesney Wold27 min
  37. Chapter 37: Jarndyce and Jarndyce31 min
  38. Chapter 38: A Struggle17 min
  39. Chapter 39: Attorney and Client25 min
  40. Chapter 40: National and Domestic18 min
  41. Chapter 41: In Mr. Tulkinghorn’s Room14 min
  42. Chapter 42: In Mr. Tulkinghorn’s Chambers11 min
  43. Chapter 43: Esther’s Narrative25 min
  44. Chapter 44: The Letter and the Answer12 min
  45. Chapter 45: In Trust21 min
  46. Chapter 46: Stop Him!14 min
  47. Chapter 47: Jo’s Will23 min
  48. Chapter 48: Closing In25 min
  49. Chapter 49: Dutiful Friendship22 min
  50. Chapter 50: Esther’s Narrative16 min
  51. Chapter 51: Enlightened19 min
  52. Chapter 52: Obstinacy18 min
  53. Chapter 53: The Track18 min
  54. Chapter 54: Springing a Mine34 min
  55. Chapter 55: Flight26 min
  56. Chapter 56: Pursuit13 min
  57. Chapter 57: Esther’s Narrative30 min
  58. Chapter 58: A Wintry Day and Night23 min
  59. Chapter 59: Esther’s Narrative21 min
  60. Chapter 60: Perspective21 min
  61. Chapter 61: A Discovery17 min
  62. Chapter 62: Another Discovery14 min
  63. Chapter 63: Steel and Iron13 min
  64. Chapter 64: Esther’s Narrative18 min
  65. Chapter 65: Beginning the World12 min
  66. Chapter 66: Down in Lincolnshire7 min
  67. Chapter 67: The Close of Esther’s Narrative7 min

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Text from Project Gutenberg.