Charles Dickens' Bleak House is a sprawling masterpiece that exposes the absurdities and cruelties of the Victorian legal system through the interminable case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. Weaving together multiple storylines and an unforgettable cast of characters, Dickens creates a scathing social critique wrapped in mystery, romance, and dark comedy. The novel reveals how institutional dysfunction destroys lives while exploring themes of responsibility, compassion, and the possibility of redemption.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Dickens understood that broken systems don't just fail people, they consume them. Bleak House is as relevant today as it was in 1853, showing us how bureaucracy can become its own form of violence. It's also proof that social critique and page-turning storytelling aren't opposites but perfect partners.

DETAILS: • Author: Charles Dickens • Publisher: Penguin Classics • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: April 29, 2003 • ISBN: 9780141439723 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days