Reviews

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

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becandthebooks's review against another edition

4.0

This is my first Charles Dickens novel and will not be my last. I was quite apprehensive going in this book, I've heard that some of Dickens work can be drawn out due to the way writers were paid back in the day, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this!

We follow our protagonist Pip as he grows up with great expectations to become a "gentleman", whatever that may mean, however, in this context it was to have money, property and a certain lifestyle. A gentleman in this time was not a blacksmith, for example, as portrayed by Pip's loving and kind brother-in-law Joe.

However, after having his dreams granted by way of a mysterious benefactor, Pip's story goes awry as we met a wide variety of characters along this journey. The growth that Pip experiences not only changes his expectations, but also shows him that not all "gentleman" are indeed gentleman. “I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape.”

In the end, Pip realises what he had all along and changes the expectations of his life. He settles into a more modest and honest existence and doesn't wish for more than he is capable of having. “There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth.”

The novel is written as a reflection on Pip's life, kind of like a memoir at times. He is hilariously sarcastic and honest and as he is reflecting on what has passed, he imparts the wisdom he has gained. “So, I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me.”

cyprille's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

samharnold's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Dickens is famous for picking an institution and showing what is wrong with it throughout his novel. Great Expectations is definitely an attack on patronage, as we see through Pip's journey that it does not always provide the results anyone hoped for.

In the 1800s, patronage was a practice in politics, the arts, and academia. It involved wealthy individuals providing financial support or favours to those needing assistance. In Great Expectations, Pip is given patronage from a mysterious benefactor to become a gentleman.

Pip is such an interesting character, and we see him grow throughout the novel. There were times when I loved him and times when I wanted to reach inside the book and give him a slap.

Dicken's is unbeaten in classic literature at writing from the child's perspective, and this book shows him at his best. When Pip returned from Miss Havisham's house he takes refuge in a series of outrageous lies, lies that we can imagine our own child spouting.

One of the passages that most affected me in the book is at the beginning when Pip imagines what his parents look like from the slope of their writing on their tombstones. This powerful image of a young boy who never knew his mum and dad.

When you think you want to love Pip better, you see the other side of him when he becomes ashamed of Joe Gargery and his common ways. This view of the working class is something I have questioned whether Dickens felt himself.

Great Expectations is an engaging novel that is hard to put down. Typically it shows the flaws in patronage and the class system of the Victorian ages, but over all it is a study of human nature that transverses the decades. It is undoubtedly one of my top 3 Dicken's books.

thereadingmum's review against another edition

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4.75

This is still my favourite Dickens even though he lost me a bit in the middle when Pip began his career.

If you only ever read one Dickens novel, this should be the one. Preferably with the Gwyneth-Hawke movie soundtrack on in the background.