Great Expectations
Ratings472
Average rating3.5
Dickens at his best.
Wemmick's wedding - an absolute delight.
My only regret is that it took me so many years to finally read this book.
Obviously on the technical aspect it's a 4 but on the entertainment level it's a 2 1/2 — BUTTT it was so worth it for this quote: “Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.”
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.
To be totally fair this is one of a bunch of high school reads, maybe that ain't the best environment for this (certainly ain't for much literature) but I wasn't into it nearly as much as I'd hope. It's decent enough, definitely deserves its acclaims but eh. Open to giving Dickens and/or this book another shot sometime but this kind of coming-of-age tale is not my cup of tea.
A ver, yo sé que seguro que la original es mejor pero es que esta edición es un aburrimiento sin sentido. El Pip se contradice y lo miman. Vamos, él no hace nada y los demás le salvan el culo. Una caca vomitiva
i wish i didn't have to rush reading it, hope i'll get to re-read it properly one day
I'm so happy to be done with this book! It was a bit confusing and not something I was used to. If I wasn't reading this with my school I probably wouldn't have understood a lot. I guess it's reminder that I need to slow down and focus when I'm reading.
I believe this book has convinced me to discontinue reading books that were originally published as a serial. You get the feeling that the story is longer than needed to keep the reader hooked to its original artificially expanded publishing schedule.
Compare a 10 episode season of an HBO or Netflix show with a 22 episode Network show. Some of the story is filler due to contractually obligated demands to fill slots in a schedule, or columns on the page to keep the interest of an audience that can attract advertisers.
3.5 stars!
I'll try to keep things short. First of all, it should be known that I am not at all a fan of “old” literature. I'm more of a modern-times-fantasy/romance/humor sort of book gal. So when I first started this book...it hurt. It actually physically hurt. Things were moving so slowly. I did NOT like the main character; I found him rather annoying. I found his whole surrounding situation tiresome and frustrating, and waited ever so patiently (not) for his situation to surely change for the better. And when it finally did, I was still rather irritated with the main character: he spent money unrepentantly, he was heedlessly rude and ashamed of Joe and Biddy, and he still loved that WITCH Estella (this review shall decidedly be PG, but I have called Estella worse in my real life rants).
However, things started to become increasingly interesting around the half mark of the book (thank the heavens). Mystery was abound. Some new noteworthy comrades were made. The character himself finally seemed mildly tolerable (however, Estella and Miss Havisham...never changed).
Then things REALLY picked up towards the end. Villains were popping up. Pip was in 24/7 stress due to everything basically falling down around him. So when he eventually returns home with the intent of settling down and living a more peaceful and satisfying frugal lifestyle...what basically amounts to a literary bomb exploded in his face. It was astounding! It left me, using local vernacular, HELLA SHOOK, BRO. And just when there were only 10 pages left, and I thought things just HAD to get better for Pip...and then there were only 7 pages...and then 5...which was basically when my meltdown started. I simply could not bear for the title to deceive me so fully. However, Charles Dickens saves the day. I did a background check on Dickens prior to reading this. Perhaps it was because Dickens could relate with Pip's poor background or his despairing situation. Either way, it seems he could not bear for Pip's story to end so tragically. Dickens thus finishes on a mildly maddening note which makes the audience question whether or not Pip ever achieved his one true wish.
However, that ending just cannot make me forget about those agonizing first 270 pages where things were moving as quickly as glaciers. Yes, I suppose Dickens may have done intentionally so that everything gradually (very, VERY gradually) builds up, but...this was just too much. I'm sorry (not really).
I'm glad I re-read this. It was significantly better than I remembered it, and I quite enjoyed it.
This was a 1-star for 90% of the book but I did enjoy it by the end. It was probably partly from relief for having finally finished.
Oof, this was a little bit painful. I'm not sure if it was because I was already basically familiar with the story, or because I found Pip's obsessive love for Estella a bit annoying, but I struggled through the first 2/3 of this novel. Once we started understanding Magwitch's story (around the last 1/3), things picked up and I finished the remainder of the novel quickly. I understand reader's love for the novel as a whole, but I was really only excited by the resolution.
Such a surprisingly wonderful book. I think it takes some serious talent to make a hard criminal into an endearing and deeply rich character. The transformation of all the characters was inspiring. I can't seem to make up my mind about which ending I like better. The original ending fits, but who can't help but enjoy the happier one he ended up putting in its place?
I'm very glad I took the time to read this book. :)
That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But, it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.
I hated this book in HS, but loved it the second time round. It took me about six weeks to read because I've been so busy, but my interest never flagged and it read well despite the slow pace (no surprise there I guess).
Everywhere I went while reading this book, I heard, “You're reading Great Expectations? I love that book! It's one of my favorites!” Which led me to have great expectations about it.
Of course, now, after finishing the book, I see where having great expectations can lead...how one could and should find happiness in one's own backyard or enormous TBR stack...
I've given away the plot here, but this book is so much a part of American high school life that I can't be giving away much. How did I get through high school without reading it? My hs English teachers chose the heartbreaker, David Copperfield, so it's not my first Dickens. I can see that Dickens can tell a story. Who wouldn't love this book? It's the Harry Potter of its time.
“According to my experience, the conventional notion of a lover cannot be always true. The unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me, than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection.”