Great Expectations

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It's a hit!

What an excellent novel. I had the benefit of going into the story having heard nothing about it except vague hints about the creepiness of Miss H... (show more)

What an excellent novel. I had the benefit of going into the story having heard nothing about it except vague hints about the creepiness of Miss Havisham (which didn't nearly do her justice, by the way), so every plot twist was a legitimate twist for me. In that way, I had an experience roughly similar to one a reader in the 1860's might have had.

Conveniences aside, this is one of the most well-plotted works of fiction I've ever read. While certain chapters can drag a bit (almost inevitable in such a long novel), you can basically assume that by the next chapter (if not the end of the one you're on), the action will pick up and the plot will thicken. So you have wonderful pacing to go along with the wonderful plotting.

This is Dickens at his best, if you ask me. I suggest it highly to everyone, with the caveat (as others have mentioned) that you find a version with both the "original" ending and the published ending. You really have to decide which one you think fits the novel better, and why. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

Slow-moving, whiny boys, and repentant convicts. A recipe for disaster. My first Dickins book, for which I had "great expectations", was, in fact, ... (show more)

Slow-moving, whiny boys, and repentant convicts. A recipe for disaster. My first Dickins book, for which I had "great expectations", was, in fact, a great disappointment. The beginning was captivating, an explosion of an introduction, but was soon a downfall. A poor boy who, all his life, wished to be with the wealthy class, receives an inheritance from a mysterious person. And, although he learns how to behave from and elderly lady and falls in love with her granddaughter, he still finds things to complain about. Finally, he finds out who his benefactor is, and is shocked. Fairly good plot, horribly written. Dragging narrations, dull dialogs - read only in desperation. (show less)

 

 

by Emily Urban

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  3/09: I've put off reading this work for years and finally decided to dig into like it was a chore. It ended up being anything but--a true delight, indeed. Dickens is simply a great author. Perhaps a few too many coincidences abound here to truly momentarily suspend disbelief, but not too bad. The characters are excellently portrayed and true to themselves. The plot is masterful and rarely hits a slow spot. The novel truly is a great work for when it was written and stands on its own e... (show more)

  3/09: I've put off reading this work for years and finally decided to dig into like it was a chore. It ended up being anything but--a true delight, indeed. Dickens is simply a great author. Perhaps a few too many coincidences abound here to truly momentarily suspend disbelief, but not too bad. The characters are excellently portrayed and true to themselves. The plot is masterful and rarely hits a slow spot. The novel truly is a great work for when it was written and stands on its own even today. I love how Dickens refuses to spare the reader the full range of human emotions here. While he is pitiless towards the protagonist, many supporting characters are rewarded their dues. This dedication to keeping the reader on his toes is what makes "Great Expectations" such a page-turner. All readers should read an edition that offers both the original and published endings. Recommended for all. (show less)

   

   

  by Brett Larsen on Mar 31, 2009 at 09:06PM

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  My esteem of Dickens as an author of incredibly diverse talent increases with every novel of his I read. Not so much read, as (invariably, by the end) voraciously devour - there's something about his turns of style and sharp perceptions of character that is just delicious. The more I read, the more I also appreciate that in spite of his vicious turns of critical writing against 'the system' and the structures and institutions of human society, there is beneath that a rich, solid belief in the... (show more)

  My esteem of Dickens as an author of incredibly diverse talent increases with every novel of his I read. Not so much read, as (invariably, by the end) voraciously devour - there's something about his turns of style and sharp perceptions of character that is just delicious. The more I read, the more I also appreciate that in spite of his vicious turns of critical writing against 'the system' and the structures and institutions of human society, there is beneath that a rich, solid belief in the human spirit and the greater Good - you can see the contrived plot twists as the excessive moralising of Victoriana, I suppose - but I don't; I think they reflect genuine and deeper truths Dickens perceived in the world around, and the world beyond.

  The plot is delectable - I'm *so* glad I've never seen any low-quality film/tv adaptations of the great man's work; it's so wonderful to be able to turn the pages not knowing what's coming. Even so, you *do* know what's coming somehow; there's something about Dicken's narrative style, and the sense of doom and destiny interplaying in his leading characters, which makes those otherwise improbable plot-twists somehow almost inevitable, and so satisfying when they finally come - the ending choked me up; (they always do!) and I for one have to read an optimistic tone into those closing lines - George Bernard Shaw be darned! ;o)

  enjoy - it's a wonderful read. (show less)

   

   

  by Michael Strickland on Mar 02, 2009 at 08:35PM

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