Bleak House

* Reviews *

Series Review: Real ReadsThe opening spreads in these retellings introduce main characters through short descriptions accompanied by small portraits. Color-pencil illustrations scattered throughout the narratives take the place of lengthy descriptions in the original works. Tavner carefully re-creates the original plots and characters as well as the authors styles. Editors notes provide background information on the stories and explain the process of retelling a classic, which includes omitting some subplots and details, combining some events, and changing dialogue to allow ease in reading. Short lists of related movies and discussions of themes and style will spark interest in the originals. Clarifying the plot and character interactions, these retellings are good introductions to the novels.School Library Journal