Set in Victorian London, "Great Expectations" introduces audiences to the orphaned boy Pip, who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband, Joe. While out in the marshlands, Pip runs across a convict who has escaped from Newgate prison. The felon still has irons on his leg, and he needs a file and food to help him continue his escape, although his escape is short-lived.
Pip goes to work for an eccentric spinster who dresses entirely in white, Miss Havisham. The wealthy Miss Havisham wants Pip to be a friend and playmate to her niece, Estella. Pip thinks that Estella is beautiful, and she quickly wins Pip's heart. Estella is prideful, vain and shuns the affections of the young lad.
As the novel progresses, Pip's future comes into play, and an unknown benefactor helps Pip improve his lot and place in society. Full of twists and turns, mysterious, unknown entities and the romance that only a Victorian novel can bring, it is little wonder that this novel remains one of Dickens' most endearing creations.
Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in Portsea, England into a relatively well-to-do family, or at least they were at the time of Charles's birth. However, like Mr. Micawber in David Copperfield, Charles' father was not very good at managing his finances. As a result, he was placed in debtors' prison in London, a location that shows up in "Great Expectations" as Newgate prison. While his father was imprisoned, Charles was forced to work at a very young age in a factory, thus laying the groundwork for many experiences covered in some of his best-known novels.
Dickens gained considerable popularity both in England and in the United States. He made frequent tours to promote his works. Most of his novels were put out in serial form.
Most critics agree that "Great Expectations" is Dickens' best novel. "David Copperfield" remains a favorite, and "A Tale of Two Cities" is widely assigned in high schools despite its serious subject matter.
"I read this for the first time when I was in high school but I didn't really remember this book. I found this time through that the novel had so many themes that related to modern day life, like trying to fit in somewhere you don't feel like you belong, that aren't always as easily relateable in other Dickens novels. I felt like the book had a good flow to it, was easy and enjoyable to read, and that the story and the characters lacked maudlin sentimentality that Dickens frequently lets pervade his stories and particularly his female characters."
— Cheryl (4 out of 5 stars)
“Great Expectations is a masterpiece.”
— The Atlantic“Observe how finely the narrative is kept in one key. It begins with a mournful impression—the foggy marshes spreading drearily by the seaward Thames—and throughout recurs this effect of cold and damp and dreariness; in that kind Dickens never did anything so good…No story in the first person was ever better told.”
— George Gissing, English novelist“Considered by many to be Dickens’ greatest work, this is a timeless story where vindictiveness and guilt clash with love and gratitude…enriched by a cast of unforgettable characters, from the orphan Pip to the convict Magwitch and the bitter Miss Haversham.”
— Barnes&Noble.com“Unlike many nineteenth-century novels that rely upon the stale plot device of a surprise legacy to enrich the fortunate protagonists, Great Expectations probes deeply into the ethical and psychological dangers of advancing through the class system by means of wealth acquired from the toil of others.”
— Masterpieces of World Literature" Though it is expertly written, and has some interesting moments, Great Expectations is boring for most modern readers. It hasn't aged well. Still, it is a classic, and you should expect it to be in a classic style while reading it. "
— Joey, 2/15/2014" I thoroughly enjoyed this classic. I can't believe they make young people read this. So many references may be list without "life experience". The dialect and old country way of speaking took some time to get used to but after the halfway mark it moved fairly quickly. So glad I read this. "
— Angie, 2/13/2014" This is just horrible... This book was so slow and boring it's unreal... I've had this book since January and really all the chapters are fucking stupid. Can't believe we have to write a book report on this shit here. All copies of this book needs to burned and never to be read again! 0 stars for me >:(~! "
— Mimi, 2/13/2014" Same as always good story but too wordy. "
— David, 2/11/2014" What great classic novel ! Read it lots of times but not satisfied . Still gonna read of again. Hats off to Charles Dickens = ] "
— Maitri, 2/7/2014" I liked it the best of all the Dicken's novels I've read. It seems more mature than say Oliver Twist where the main character was high-born all along and ends up taking his place in society. It has an appropriate ending with hope but not with all problems solved but with Pip and Estrella maturing. Many of the most sympathetic characters are low-born unlike Oliver Twist. In fairness in Hard Times it is the same and obviously its what Dickens is reknowned for but in this book the characters are also realistic. "
— Jer, 1/18/2014" I adore Dickens. It's amazing how the reader can connect to characters written so long ago. "
— Lauren, 1/14/2014" This book had an incredibly slow beginning but by half way through I was hooked. I can see why it is a classic and one of Dickens finest novels as it surely transcends time. "
— Alicia, 1/13/2014" Can't believe I only read this just now. "
— Tom, 1/8/2014Charles Dickens (1812–1870) was born in Landport, Portsmouth, England, the second of eight children in a family continually plagued by debt. A legacy brought release from the nightmare of debtors’ prison and child labor and afforded him a few years of formal schooling. He worked as an attorney’s clerk and newspaper reporter until his early writings brought him the amazing success that was to be his for the remainder of his life. He was the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era, and he remains popular, responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic characters.
John Gray, PhD, is the bestselling relationship author of all time. He has written more than fifteen bestselling books, including Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, one of the bestselling books of the last decade. In the past two decades, over forty million Mars Venus books have been sold in over forty-five languages throughout the world. An expert in the field of communication, Gray’s focus is to help men and women understand, respect, and appreciate their differences in both personal and professional relationships. He has appeared on Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, the Early Show, the View, Politically Incorrect, Larry King, and other programs. He has been profiled in Newsweek, Time, Forbes, USA Today, TV Guide, People, and New Age Journal, among other publications. In addition to being a certified family therapist, Gray is a consulting editor of the Family Journal and a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. In 2001 he received the Smart Marriages Impact Award.