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Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
This classic novel by Charles Dickens is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story about love, redemption, and self-discovery. It's a timeless tale that's stood the test of time, and for good reason - it's just that good. With its memorable characters and thought-provoking themes, it's a book that'll keep you hooked from start to finish. I've read it multiple times, and each time I find something new to appreciate.
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A Mixed Bag - Great Expectations Was a Long but Thought-Provoking Read
summarizeEditor's Summary
I gotta say, I went into Great Expectations with moderate expectations, but what I got was a wild ride. The atmosphere of 19th-century England is so vividly captured that you'll feel like you're right there with the characters. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with some truly memorable moments. The writing is beautiful and evocative, with some truly stunning descriptions. It's a total game changer for anyone interested in historical fiction. The themes of class, identity, and redemption are timeless and thought-provoking. The story is full of unexpected twists and turns that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. But, the story can drag on at times, making it feel like a chore to get through. Some characters are just plain crazy, making it hard to relate to them. The pacing is uneven, with some sections feeling rushed and others feeling like they're dragging on forever. The themes can be heavy-handed at times, making it feel like Dickens is hitting you over the head with his message. The writing can be dense and hard to follow, especially for readers who aren't used to 19th-century English. The ending feels a bit abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered. Despite its flaws, it's a thought-provoking read that's worth every penny, especially if you're a fan of classic literature.
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KararOrta
Konusu8/10
OkumaHafzı7/10
KitapFormatı6/10
YazımSüresi4/10
HikayeKalitesi6/10
KitapTasarımı8/10
EdebiSüslülük5/10
İllüstrasyonlar2/10
TahminEdilemeyenHatalar3/10
Hello everyone!
I didn't exactly plan on reading a Charles Dickens novel, but when a friend thrust one into my hands with the words 'give it a go, it's really good', I thought 'maybe it'll be alright'. In some places, yes, it was interesting, but not enough to keep me hooked, and so reading this novel dragged on for a couple of months - I'd read it a bit here and there, and managed to get through loads of other books in the meantime, which I've actually reviewed.
Feel free to check out my profile if you're interested in reading reviews on other books. But let's get back to Charles, and specifically, the edition I read.
A BIT ABOUT THE NOVEL 'GREAT EXPECTATIONS'
I read the paperback version of the book, published by Azbuka-Atticus in 2020. The book has been reprinted multiple times, so you can find it with a different cover.
great expectations dickens reviewsMy copy has a soft cover, and it's a pretty small book. The cover design features a fragment of a painting by George Edgar Hicks, showing a group of people in traditional English clothing from the time period in which the novel is set.
On the back cover, there's a portrait of the author, along with a brief description of his work. I'd heard of him before, of course, but I'd never actually read any of his novels. This was my first Dickens novel, and apparently, it's one of his best - that's one thing. And secondly, it's considered a classic of English literature.
great expectations dickens reviewsThe book is a pretty small format, but the font is a bit on the smaller side, and it's got 544 pages, so it's not exactly a quick read. And to be honest, Dickens' writing style doesn't exactly make it easy to get through - at least, not for me, anyway. I found myself getting a bit bored in the beginning, and I had to push through to get to the good bits.
I should mention that the text is divided into sections, which are then further divided into chapters. That does make it a bit easier to read, and you can always put it down and pick it up again when you feel like it.
Unfortunately, the book doesn't have any illustrations, and I did spot a few typos in the text. The pages are pretty thin, and they're stuck together with glue, which makes them start to come loose over time.
WHAT'S THE NOVEL ABOUT?
Apparently, this novel is all about education, growing up, and becoming a person:
The plot of Charles Dickens' novel 'Great Expectations' follows a boy named Philip Pirrip (Pip), who's being brought up by his older sister and her husband, a blacksmith named Joe Gargery.
One day, Pip inherits a fortune from a mysterious benefactor, and he's given the chance to move to London and become a gentleman. Pip meets a girl named Estella, and talking to her makes him ashamed of his background and the prospect of becoming a blacksmith. So he decides to become a proper gentleman, in order to win Estella's respect and achieve his great expectations.
}I have to say, the theme of money's influence on people really stood out to me in this book. It shows how money can change someone's personality and make them dependent on it.
Great Expectations reviewsThe author uses the example of a young boy named Pip to show how he grows up and becomes the person he is today. I felt really bad for the kid at the beginning - he had it tough, growing up without parents and being raised by his older sister and her husband. If the husband was kind and gentle towards Pip, the sister was a bit of an oddball.
But then, something unexpected happens - Pip gets a mysterious benefactor who helps him become a gentleman and sends him to London. I was curious to see how his life would turn out. Would he make it as a gentleman, or would he struggle to cope with the challenges that came his way? And what were his expectations?
I want to move on to my impressions of the book now.
My Impressions of the Book
To be honest, it took me a while to get into the book. I found it really hard to read, and it was super boring at times. But I felt so sorry for Pip that I kept going, even when I wanted to put the book down. I guess that's what kept me going - I wanted to know how it all ended for the kid.
Great Expectations reviewsIt wasn't until I got about two-thirds of the way through the book that I finally got hooked. I devoured the rest of it in a couple of days. The writing style didn't change, and the characters were still the same, but the ending just sucked me in.
I agree that the book is about education and personal growth. Through Pip's story, we see how he develops and becomes the person he is today. At the beginning, I felt really bad for Pip. He was just a poor kid, living in a small village, and his sister was always on his case, making him behave perfectly and be grateful for her kindness. It's tough to be grateful when you're being treated like a dog and not being shown any love or warmth.
Great Expectations reviewsBut then, something amazing happens - Pip gets the chance to become a gentleman. A mysterious benefactor wants to help him rise through the social ranks and send him to London. On the one hand, I was happy for the kid, but on the other hand, it showed off some of his less admirable qualities. He starts to feel ashamed of his close friends, like Joe, who's always been kind and caring towards him.
I have to admit, Pip's character started to get on my nerves as the story progressed. I mean, he had this gift, and instead of using it to get a decent job or start his own business, he just waited for something to happen. Meanwhile, he was being kind and generous to his friend, but when it came to himself, he was a different story altogether. He thought his friend was unsuited to life, when in reality, it was Pip who was struggling to make the most of his opportunities.
But, as the story came to a close, Pip finally learned his lesson. He gained some real-world experience, and it taught him that there's more to life than just money. There's kindness, honor, integrity, and all those other things that truly matter.
Great Expectations reviewsI have to say, the book was both educational and thought-provoking. After finishing it, I realized that it's really a coming-of-age story about a young man's journey to self-discovery. However, there were times when I found it really dull, especially at the beginning.
But Dickens is a masterful storyteller, and he has a great sense of humor, which made the story more enjoyable. I loved how he wrote about the characters without judging them or trying to sugarcoat their flaws. Instead, he gave readers the freedom to form their own opinions and make their own judgments. What I didn't expect, though, was the sad ending. Apparently, Dickens had planned a more tragic conclusion, but he eventually decided to spare his readers the pain. I guess it's always nice to believe in the goodness of people and the promise of a brighter future.
Overall, the ending left me feeling a bit melancholic, and I even got a bit teary-eyed. Not that I was sobbing or anything, but there was definitely a sense of sadness lingering inside me.
Atmosphere of the bookThe book takes you back to 19th-century London, and you get a glimpse of how people lived back then. You can imagine how the poor and wealthy classes interacted, how they moved around, and how they communicated with each other. It's fascinating to learn about their daily lives, their struggles, and their social norms.
One thing that struck me was how they used to travel, send messages, and write letters. It's amazing how people managed to adapt to their circumstances and make the most of what they had.
The author also gives you a vivid description of what London looked like back then - a drizzly, gloomy, and somewhat depressing place. But, in a way, it fits the mood of the book.
Author's style and languageAt times, Dickens gets a bit too detailed with some of the minor aspects of the story, which made it hard for me to stay engaged, especially in the beginning. However, he's a great storyteller, and his sense of humor is contagious. I found myself chuckling at some of the witty remarks and clever observations he made. It's like he's having a conversation with you, and that's what makes the story so enjoyable.
Characters in the bookThe book has a large cast of characters, and Pip is, of course, the main protagonist. I won't repeat everything I said about him earlier, but I did want to mention some of the other interesting characters. There's Pip's sister, who's a bit of a wild card; Pumblechook, the man who's always trying to spin things in his favor; Miss Havisham, who's had a major grudge against men; and the deaf old man, who's treated with great respect by his son. There are many more, each with their own unique personalities and quirks.
But there were some characters that won my heart – Biddy, Joe, and Herbert. At first, I thought Herbert was a bit of a snob, but as I kept reading, I found myself really rooting for him and was thrilled to see how things turned out for him. I was also happy for Biddy and Joe, even though I had initially thought things would go down a different path. It's great that the author didn't forget about Joe, considering he deserved it.
FINAL VERDICT
In the end, despite the slow start and the long read, I'd still recommend 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens to anyone looking for a classic English novel.
Thanks for reading my review! Hit the like button and leave a comment below!
Check out my profile for more reviews and recommendations: my profile.
Also, be sure to check out my other reviews:
The Dyatlov Pass Incident. Anna Matveeva
The Tenth Hour. Michael Connelly
Letters from Skye. Jessica Brockmole
Take care, and happy reading!
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is this a good book for beginners?
Not necessarily, as the writing and themes can be dense and challenging for some readers. However, if you're interested in historical fiction and are willing to put in the effort, it's definitely worth a try.
What's the story about?
The story follows the life of Pip, a young man who's trying to navigate the complexities of adulthood and class in 19th-century England.
Are the characters well-developed?
Yes, the characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with some truly memorable moments.
Is this a quick read?
No, the story can drag on at times, making it feel like a chore to get through.
What's the atmosphere like?
The atmosphere of 19th-century England is vividly captured, making you feel like you're right there with the characters.
Is this a good book for fans of classical literature?
Absolutely, as the writing and themes are quintessentially Dickensian.
What are the themes of the book?
The themes of class, identity, and redemption are timeless and thought-provoking.
Is this a good book for readers who like a fast-paced story?
No, the pacing is uneven, with some sections feeling rushed and others feeling like they're dragging on forever.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Pip, a young man who's trying to navigate the complexities of adulthood and class in 19th-century England.
What's the historical context of the story?
The story is set in 19th-century England, during the Industrial Revolution. The historical context is well-researched and adds depth to the story.
check_circlePros
- •The atmosphere of 19th-century England is so vividly captured that you'll feel like you're right there with the characters.
- •The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with some truly memorable moments.
- •The writing is beautiful and evocative, with some truly stunning descriptions.
- •It's a total game changer for anyone interested in historical fiction.
- •The themes of class, identity, and redemption are timeless and thought-provoking.
- •The story is full of unexpected twists and turns that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
- •The characters' development is impressive, with some characters undergoing significant changes throughout the story.
- •The historical context is well-researched and adds depth to the story.
- •The themes are relevant even today, making it a great read for modern audiences.
- •The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, even for readers who aren't used to 19th-century English.
- •The characters' relationships with each other are complex and multi-faceted.
- •The story is full of symbolism and metaphors that add depth to the narrative.
cancelCons
- •The story can drag on at times, making it feel like a chore to get through.
- •Some characters are just plain crazy, making it hard to relate to them.
- •The pacing is uneven, with some sections feeling rushed and others feeling like they're dragging on forever.
- •The themes can be heavy-handed at times, making it feel like Dickens is hitting you over the head with his message.
- •The writing can be dense and hard to follow, especially for readers who aren't used to 19th-century English.
- •The ending feels a bit abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered.
- •Some plot twists are predictable and take away from the overall impact of the story.
- •The characters' motivations can be unclear at times, making it hard to understand their actions.
- •The story can be slow to start, making it hard to get invested in the characters and plot.
- •The themes can be overwhelming at times, making it hard to keep track of what's going on.
- •The writing style can be overly descriptive, making it feel like you're reading a history book rather than a novel.
