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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
3.5. At the end of the day this is a pretty timeless tale about a young man who discovers, over the course of his coming of age, that money can't buy manners or class. As Pip navigates his changing circumstances, he also discovers how certain types of money (inherited) are acceptable and open many doors, whereas other types of money (earned through work) are unacceptable and provide less social status. Those with inherited wealth have their eccentricities overlooked, while those with earned wealth are not forgiven by society no matter how hard they work.
Pip undergoes a transformation of ideals throughout the novel. As he gains social status, he loses his original moral framework. He shuns Joe and Biddy in favor of Miss Havisham and Estella, because Joe and Biddy are poor and uneducated, albeit more morally good than Miss Havisham and Estella. Towards the end of the novel, Pip very tangibly atones for his moral sins, saving Miss Havisham, becoming ill, letting go of some of his wealth, and returning to Joe and Biddy. He finds redemption in the return to his original work with Joe, and in eschewing London society.
While I enjoyed the themes of the book and found their execution interesting, the other aspects of the book were weak in comparison. The plot was engaging at points, but would go through long bouts of tedium before it picked up again. The characters were likable enough, and I was rooting for Pip, but I didn't feel especially strongly about anyone. I also thought that while Pip was redeemed, Estella was not. The abuse she underwent at the hand of her husband, while technically a type of suffering in exchange for redemption just like Pip undergoes, was played off as a just and inevitable punishment for her bad moral behavior. From a 21st Century lens, of course, spousal abuse is never a just punishment, and I don't think it is from a 19th Century one either. Estella's transformation, therefore, was incomplete in my eyes, and the suffering she did undergo was unjust.
One final thing. I really didn't buy the love story between Pip and Estella. Chapter 44 has one of the most beautiful, masterful love confessions I have ever seen, and it's a damn shame it was the only time I was convinced of the romantic love in the book.
Pip undergoes a transformation of ideals throughout the novel. As he gains social status, he loses his original moral framework. He shuns Joe and Biddy in favor of Miss Havisham and Estella, because Joe and Biddy are poor and uneducated, albeit more morally good than Miss Havisham and Estella. Towards the end of the novel, Pip very tangibly atones for his moral sins, saving Miss Havisham, becoming ill, letting go of some of his wealth, and returning to Joe and Biddy. He finds redemption in the return to his original work with Joe, and in eschewing London society.
While I enjoyed the themes of the book and found their execution interesting, the other aspects of the book were weak in comparison. The plot was engaging at points, but would go through long bouts of tedium before it picked up again. The characters were likable enough, and I was rooting for Pip, but I didn't feel especially strongly about anyone. I also thought that while Pip was redeemed, Estella was not. The abuse she underwent at the hand of her husband, while technically a type of suffering in exchange for redemption just like Pip undergoes, was played off as a just and inevitable punishment for her bad moral behavior. From a 21st Century lens, of course, spousal abuse is never a just punishment, and I don't think it is from a 19th Century one either. Estella's transformation, therefore, was incomplete in my eyes, and the suffering she did undergo was unjust.
One final thing. I really didn't buy the love story between Pip and Estella. Chapter 44 has one of the most beautiful, masterful love confessions I have ever seen, and it's a damn shame it was the only time I was convinced of the romantic love in the book.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Classic tale of poor and kind Pip who comes into some money by an unknown benefactor that inspires his Great Expectations. Themes of moral standing of folks with money and those of lesser means, moral and psychological growth, nature vs nurture influences, prejudice.
Having read this story a few times I will never, ever for the life of me understand 2 things that involve Pip:#1. his intense love for Estella. The only thing about her that is attractive is her physical appearance. She is haughty, proud, arrogant and so cruel to Pip. I know that we are lead to believe this is due to Mrs Havisham's influence and I get that part of her allure is because she represents an unattainable angel of grandeur. However, at the end he is supposed to be in his 30s, not a boy so he hasn't grown up yet when it comes to romantic maturity? At the end when she has been beaten and broken by her marriage, is when she is humbled. I don't particular like how this message sits. The nastiness was beaten out of her and she got a reality check? I would rather her character had evolved due to a combination of life's obstacles, personal maturity and not solely by being married to a man that was a brute. She is just awful. It doesn't make sense to me that someone like Pip would be so steadfast in his love for her #2. how Pip decides he's going to make a romantic play for Biddie. I was all for Biddie and Pip ending up together until I realised that Pip didn't give a hoot about her. We realise this after she marries Joe and in whiplash fashion Pip is back in love with Estella. Yes, I get he is happy for two people he loves but not even a second of disappointment? Really? So what growth has he done here? Shows he had zero feelings for Biddie so why pursue her? If she had said yes and married him, he would be false; perhaps they did have a fine life together, that would unravel when he bumps into Estella. Either way it's bad intentioned and considering it's at the end of the book, leaves a bad last impression of our "hero". I was hoping he would return to the sweet, earnest, little boy he was but with a backbone that would have not only been self assured and no longer fickle in his romantic feelings but had moved on from the shallow, baseless love for Estella.
Biddie, uncle Joe and Herbert are my favourite characters; just have admirable traits and moral compass; this is where I feel like books in characters offer so much in reflection of society and despite circumstances that may never change, you can still be a good human to someone in need. They always made me smile.
Having read this story a few times I will never, ever for the life of me understand 2 things that involve Pip:
Biddie, uncle Joe and Herbert are my favourite characters; just have admirable traits and moral compass; this is where I feel like books in characters offer so much in reflection of society and despite circumstances that may never change, you can still be a good human to someone in need. They always made me smile.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Deportation
The characters are so amazingly conveyed that’s it just makes it easy to absorb their emotions and love them.
Charles dickens use of vocabulary is meticulously thought out and yet it amazes me how perfect each new I learn word ties into its use in the sentence perfectly. A pure genius he is.
Also, so many of his sentences could make legendary quotes.
Concepts in the book:
Life’s purpose and desire for greatness through Pip,
blind, life-long love through Pip in Estella,
good heartedness in Joe and Biddy,
Value of friendship in Herbert,
Revenge obsession, sunk cost fallacy and parentification in Miss Havisham,
All are at the heart of the book, and many make you warm up as you read it. Yet there’s times where you feel sad, not overwhelming sadness, but a hollowness.
So many lessons to be learnt and relatable themes throughout the book that you might not pick up if you read this book growing up.
Can be a tricky read at times, as although the writing is rich and intricate, it is can be dated and complex. Archaic may be the term I am looking for.
4/5. I would recommend for all to read. Liked it a lot personally as many themes felt relatable to me.
Cons: Just felt like the character list was small at times, even though this could be seen as a plus as you get to know them more. And idk it was just missing something I can’t put my finger on. Maybe not such a basic ending? (Let me know your thoughts)
p.s. Joe and Herbert are two of my favourite characters ever. (I don’t care if they are too good to be true, Dickens makes me believe they’re real)
Charles dickens use of vocabulary is meticulously thought out and yet it amazes me how perfect each new I learn word ties into its use in the sentence perfectly. A pure genius he is.
Also, so many of his sentences could make legendary quotes.
Concepts in the book:
Life’s purpose and desire for greatness through Pip,
blind, life-long love through Pip in Estella,
good heartedness in Joe and Biddy,
Value of friendship in Herbert,
Revenge obsession, sunk cost fallacy and parentification in Miss Havisham,
All are at the heart of the book, and many make you warm up as you read it. Yet there’s times where you feel sad, not overwhelming sadness, but a hollowness.
So many lessons to be learnt and relatable themes throughout the book that you might not pick up if you read this book growing up.
Can be a tricky read at times, as although the writing is rich and intricate, it is can be dated and complex. Archaic may be the term I am looking for.
4/5. I would recommend for all to read. Liked it a lot personally as many themes felt relatable to me.
Cons: Just felt like the character list was small at times, even though this could be seen as a plus as you get to know them more. And idk it was just missing something I can’t put my finger on. Maybe not such a basic ending? (Let me know your thoughts)
p.s. Joe and Herbert are two of my favourite characters ever. (I don’t care if they are too good to be true, Dickens makes me believe they’re real)
Disliked it the first time around, 2 or 3 years ago, but I loved it now. I'm not sure what had changed in the interim -- my housemate suggests that it might be accumulated life experience, but I have no idea what I've picked up which would make me suddenly start appreciating Dickens more. Maybe once I already knew the gist of what happens, I could fly through the text and pick up more on the unabashedly fun and witty bits--? I don't even know.
Either way, it's a good read, and I can definitely see why it's such a classic. The changed ending is interesting, too -- I can't quite decide which one is 'better'.
/being vague, avoiding spoilers
Either way, it's a good read, and I can definitely see why it's such a classic. The changed ending is interesting, too -- I can't quite decide which one is 'better'.
/being vague, avoiding spoilers
A literary masterpiece. Definitely my favorite of Dickens. This was an amazing story with a powerful lesson behind it. Reading about Pip and his coming-of-age journey was not just enjoyable, but also thought-provoking. Pip is one of my favorite protagonists ever, because of how realistic his wants and wishes were and his moral development was satisfying to see through to the end. Aside from him, there were numerous likable and memorable characters such as the loyal friend Herbert, the generous (true gentleman) Joe, and the unique (so-called) villain of the story Miss Havisham.
“You are in every line I have ever read.”
There was something bittersweet about the story, the relationship between Pip and Estella, The Convict's storyline, and the ending in general. It makes me sad somehow but I still loved the cautionary tale of this book.
“You are in every line I have ever read.”
There was something bittersweet about the story, the relationship between Pip and Estella, The Convict's storyline, and the ending in general. It makes me sad somehow but I still loved the cautionary tale of this book.
Well, I tried this for a second go and did make it further this time (up to page 340), but I just can’t continue. I’ve been forcing myself to try to read 1-2 chapters a day, but it’s a chore. I still think the first half is far better and exciting compared to the 2nd half. It is sooo boring. And I really dislike where the plot is going the more I read. I guessed who Pip’s benefactor was easily.
adventurous
reflective
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:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes