Publisher's Synopsis
"Bleak House" is a frequently studied novel of the 19th century and is regarded as one of the most potent attacks on English society. Page explores its Victorian context, and demonstrates that it not only argues for social reform but also marks the beginning of Dickens' dark, cynical fiction. He brings insights to the novel's complex characters, discusses Dickens' portrayal of women and illuminates his technique for depicting eccentricity. Because the original publication in serial format played a major role in the novel's structure, Page explains how Victorian readers' expectations for each installment shaped the novel's plot.
