Esther Summerson, an orphan, is taken into the Jarndyce household, but is pursued by the mystery of her origins. Meanwhile, there seems no end in sight to a massive lawsuit involving the Jarndyce fortune.

"Bleak House was first published in monthly parts from March 1852 to September 1853 and appeared in volume form late in 1853. This edition contains the author's final revisions as incorporated into the Charles Dickens edition in 1868"--T.p. verso. "Bantam Classic reissue"--T.p. verso.