Bleak House by Charles Dickens

SYNOPSIS:  Esther Summerson spent the first years of her life being told it would have been better if she had never been born.  However, through this adversity, she develops qualities of humility and kindness that endear her to others.  When John Jarndice takes her on as a companion for his cousin, she quickly becomes an indispensable member of the household.  However, there are secrets to Esther's parentage that would be devastating if they were to become public, and which come into play as she grows into womanhood.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was not my favorite Dickens novel.  There were so many characters, introduced with such rapidity that I had a hard time keeping them straight.  However, it had a good message of the value of humility and resiliency that I did like.  I would recommend it to older readers, especially those who enjoy dark stories, because of the allusions to murder and illegitimacy, and because of the advanced reading level.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

RATING:  PG

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Wuthering Heights, North and South