Great Expectations (Penguin Classics)

It is impossible to exaggerate the satisfaction this book gives to its reader and the power of its deep human sympathy. If you were to read only ten books in your lifetime, Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS should be one of them.If you were to listen to just one audiobook in your life, Frank Muller's narration of Great Expectations should be it. One of the most complimentary things that can be said of such a performance is that it leaves you feeling that the work can be read only in that way. Muller accomplishes this, with the curious and endearing twist that Pip's own narration comes with an American accent, while all others speak in the unforgettable idiom of their place among the English classes and subclasses. Muller on Dickens is a triumph that even Dickens would have applauded.Now, for the book. The personae will stay with you forever. Pip himself. The deeply generous Joe Gargery. The immortally beautiful Estella, her heart in the end made soft through suffering. Miss Havisham, too terrible to believed but in the end redeemed from her lake of bitterness, if her cry, 'What have I done?!' is to be taken innocently. Wemmick and the Aged P, then - belatedly, Miss Skiffens the gloved. Herbert, then Herbert and Clara.Jaggers, about whom one is left to ponder, 'Who *is* this man?'Dickens and Muller are at their best with scoundrels. Expectations provides them no shortage of villains upon whom to practice. Pumblechook. Bentley Drummle. Old Orlick. Compeyson, about whom the best thing said is that he has drowned.Dickens' keen eye for the glory and the pathetic depths of humanity is almost unparalleled in English literature, with apologies to his critics. He knows that there are Gargeries and Biddies and Herberts. He understands this without for a moment denying the hell in human hearts that is comprised by the likes of Pumblechook with his false respectability and Orlick with his violent, drooling hatreds.He has comprehended that heaven - if he believed there is such a place - is likely populated by people surnamed Havisham, Jaggers, and Magwitch, who perhaps dance the more vigorously for having been much forgiven.Yet writing *about* Dickens and his worlds takes time that could be spend on reading Dickens and of his worlds.For that you'll need to pick up Great Expectations.

Pip, the main character in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, writes the story in first person as a middle aged man looking back on his life. Pip's parents die when he is young making him an orphan. Pip is "brought up by hand" by his sister, who treats him with scorn. His sister's lack of love, however, is tempered by her husband Joe, a blacksmith. Joe is a simple, uneducated man and Pip's only "friend" during childhood. Pip commiserates with Joe about his sister's verbal thrashings, trying to make the best of his unhappy upbringing.Early in the story, Pip has an encounter with a convict in the cemetery among the marshes near his home. Unbeknownst to him, this man would be the source for his "Great Expectations" later in life.One day Pip is invited to the home of Ms. Havisham. Ms. Havisham is a single, eccentric, old woman who stopped living in the real world many years earlier when she was spurned by her lover on her wedding day.Ms. Havisham has adopted the beautiful Estella, and from the moment Pip meets her, he is infatuated with her beauty. Estella represents wealth, education, success, and opportunity--things Pip values but thinks he will never have.Dissatisfaction within himself grows as he wants to be more in life than a partner with Joe in the forge. Pip becomes unhappy not only with himself, but also with Joe, who represents what he does not want to be--uneducated and simple. Failing to appreciate Joe's moral character, Pip's world view begins to change as he sees education as something to be attained--the sure way out of his wretched life and the means by which he could woo the object of his unmerited affections, Estella.Pip's life changes dramatically when he is visited by a well respected and fiercely admired lawyer, Mr. Jaggers, who brings him an unusual message. Mr. Jaggers tells Pip he is to receive "Great Expectations," but the benefactor is to remain anonymous until and only if they choose to reveal their identity. Pip mistakenly assumes the benefactor is Ms. Havisham, and the manipulating, self serving woman does nothing to dissuade him from his incorrect assumptions.The story takes Pip to London where he lives a life of excess and discards many virtues from his childhood. He no longer wants anything to do with Joe and believes his future course has been immutably set--that he is to marry the beautiful Estella. He shares his indulgences with his new friend, Herbert, whose acquaintance he had made years earlier at Ms. Havisham's place. The two of them rack up excessive debt as Pip sees himself as "a man in waiting" for all his fortunes to come to pass.Things are not what they seem, however. It is eventually revealed that the benefactor is not Ms. Havisham but the convict, Mr. Magwitch, whom Pip had met in the cemetery many years earlier when he was a young, impressionable boy.Pip is confronted face to face with the despised convict, hounded by the remembrances of him torturing him in the cemetery, dreams that lingered, causing him much consternation. But now he has to accept the undeniable truth that his turn of fortune is not because of Ms. Havisham's provision, but the despicable convict's desire to make him a gentleman. The convict wants his life to be redeemed for something good and chooses Pip to be that vehicle.Through a series of events, Pip acknowledges the inexcusable way he has treated Joe and wants to make amends. Before he can accomplish this, however, other happenings complicate his life. The convict, now in England, needs Pip's protection. Pip must make a way for Magwitch to leave England without being discovered.While Pip hides him with a trusted friend, Pip comes to realize that the convict he had earlier despised has more redemptive qualities than Pip has within himself. As he makes provision for the convict's escape, Pip sees Magwitch change for the better, and in so doing, Pip also changes. Instead of hating the convict, Pip grows to love him. The self centeredness of Pip's indulgences is replaced with care, not only for the convict, but in growing degrees, for others.In the process of trying to escape, the convict is attacked by his long-time archrival and enemy. As a result, Magwitch is severely injured, discovered by the authorities, put on trial and convicted, but dies from his injuries before his death sentence can be carried out. Magwitch's estate is turned over to the authorities to make restitution for past wrongs. Pip is left penniless and obligingly accepts that his Great Expectations and source of income have dissipated into nothing. Meanwhile, Estella marries someone else--a man whom Pip despises.A few years earlier, Pip had secretly made arrangements for his friend Herbert to have a small expectation out of his "Great Expectations," amounting to a sizable sum of money. When it becomes known to Pip that he will lose his "Great Expectations" to the authorities, his only thought is for his friend. Pip returns to visit Ms. Havisham and requests, in a show of repentance for the wrongs she had done to him, a sum of money that Pip could again secretly provide to Herbert.Herbert wisely uses this money to successfully buy into a business venture. He later marries and moves overseas in his business pursuits--none of which would have been possible without Pip's anonymous provision to Herbert.Pip credits this as the only redeeming thing he has accomplished, reflecting on all the other things he did or didn't do that could have been used for good.Pip falls ill following the death of his convict friend, Magwitch, and Joe comes to England to care for him until he is well. Joe surreptitiously leaves early one morning when Pip is sufficiently recovered, and when Pip wakes up, he discovers Joe has paid off all his creditors. Pip immediately returns home in penitence to confess to Joe all his past wrongs, realizing that Joe is a better man than he. He recognizes in his now humble state that his "Great Expectations" deceived him into using it as a source of pride against Joe.Upon arriving home, Pip's expectations are not what he envisioned. His sister who raised him by hand has long since died as a result of an attack on her by the evil Orlick. His childhood friend and confidant, Biddy, has just married Joe. In the end, redemption works its way for good. Joe and Biddy are happily married and the sore memories of Pip's sister are forgotten.Pip returns to London and within a month, leaves England and joins Herbert's firm, Clarriker and Company, overseas. Pip lives abroad with Herbert and his wife, and after successfully making partner, eleven years later, returns to his boyhood home in England. He discovers Joe and Biddy now have a son who reminds him of himself.Before bidding Joe and Biddy a final farewell, Pip makes one last trip to the Havisham place, the old woman having died many years earlier. Pip discovers Estella in the garden, a chance meeting since she no longer lives there. The old house and brewery have been torn down and sold off except for the garden enclosed by the ivy covered wall.Years of a stormy, failed marriage have softened Estella's vindictive, prideful nature, and she confesses that "suffering has been stronger than all other teaching and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be."The reader is left to ponder whether Pip and Estella ever marry because Pip says, "I saw no parting from her."In the end, Pip learns much about what matters--wisdom he would not have possessed if he had stayed working at Joe's forge. As a middle aged narrator looking back, there is sadness but sweetness about what he has lost because of what he has gained. Perhaps the reader is the real winner, having seen redemption on so many levels within each character. In the end, if we are honest, we can identify these shortcomings in ourselves. If Pip can work out his "Great Expectations" to bring redemption, perhaps we can, also--that is, again, if we are honest. Our sinful nature will always be there, but if we look for good, God will not disappoint us. Maybe "Great Expectations" will not only find us, but redemption will be there, too, just as it was in Pip.

Loved this book, Beautifully written.This is a forever classic, i will read more of his work, life was different back then..

I am not attempting to review a Dickens’ writing here-it was analyzed and praised by thousands of scholars.Instead I want to praise the narrator, Michael Page.He is a true narration genius, talking in multiple distinctly different voices and creating, sometimes sinister and sometimes grotesque, atmosphere all by himself.So even if you know the book, this audio version is definitely worth listening to.The book itself is also great, it passed the test of time in flying colors and can easily amuse contemporary readers with it’s half-absurd situations and a parade of weird characters. But even more amusing is its audio version..Since there are multiple versions of this book and of it’s audios I am attaching image of edition that I got. It came included with free Prime book. But when I checked recently the different audio version was included with the same book. So I am pasting below a link to the audio version I am talking about (put this link directly as an address into your browser rather than searching Amazon page).https://www.amazon.com/Great-Expectations-AmazonClassics-Edition/dp/B073ZLF78Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=great+Expectations+Page&qid=1618720926&s=audible&sr=1-1It is a part of Amazon Classic Editions, which I love. There are so many old friends there and so many surprises. Like surprise of me discovering that despite being familiar with the title I never read the “Great Expectations”.

The idea is deep and very Christian. The writing and language are masterful. The plot is complicated and engaging. Highly recommended for everyone.

Bueno

I am a secondary school English teacher. I was sick of squinting to read the tiny-fonted Wordsworth Classic edition whilst also trying to keep one eye on the pupils. A pupil would make a sound, so I would look up and instantly lose my place. I was also fed up of having to fight to make the small font visible under the visualiser. This book is brilliant! The font is size 18 and the line spacing is plenty big enough for annotations, should you decide to add them. There are only two disadvantages. The first is its lack of page numbers though I read ahead and add sticky notes on key pages anyway. Secondly, it is a BIG book but, so long as your desk is clear and tidy, that should not be an issue. Both my pupils and I think this book is great.

Received The Book Today 2nd June Along With Other Two Charles Dickens Book...All Book Very Nice Very Gud Quality At Gud Reasonable Price...Thanks❤🙏🌹

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. Every time I start reading this book again, I realized I forgot how much I love it. In the first place, the setting is excellent. Dickens is a master at creating mood by his setting. And then there are the characters.- Pip. As a kid he’s so pathetic and appealing, but as soon as Estella appears he gets just so mean to Joe and Biddy. He is good to Herbert, and Miss Havisham, and towards the end to Magwitch, but for the most part he’s just silly and weak and stupid. However, he did have a good deal of love and good in him at times, so overall, I like him, but I can’t respect him or love him until the end, where he becomes a good, strong man.- Joe. I love Joe so much. What a MAN he was! I never before realized the reason he allowed Mrs. Joe to rule him and beat him & Pip, but this time I got it and I almost cried. Poor dear Joe, trying so hard! And then his explanation for why he didn’t interfere with Pip & Mrs. Joe… and his complete acceptance of the Magwitch & Pip affair in the marshes… and just all his speeches! He’s just so full of goodness and wisdom and love. <3- Miss Havisham. The woman was crazed by betrayal and intense hurt. You can’t hate her for what she did. She was good and kind when she could be, and her repentance was genuine.- Estella. She was proud and cold and hard, but somehow you could see that was all she knew and all she could be, because of Miss Havisham. On her own she would have been, or could be, such a warm, loving woman. I like to think Pip won her in the end, after his years of unswerving adoration. I think she made him a good wife. <3- Magwitch. At first, Magwitch is coarse and brutal and frightening. But when you find who he is, you can’t help loving the poor man. Had he had help at any time in his career, he would have turned into a good man. Even as it was, he had a kind heart and a sort of quiet trust in God. His story is heartbreaking and such a good reminder not to judge by appearances, and to give help whenever we can to those who struggle with the law. Compeyson, on the other hand, is pure evil, and so is Orlick.- Jaggers. I can’t love Jaggers. He is a little too close to the wrong side of the law for my comfort. He also terrorizes everyone. He does have some good in him, though, and I think he could have been a good man if a woman had loved him and helped him. Wemmick is a humorous, shrewd character whom I hugely enjoyed, especially with his Aged (whom he treated so well! <3).- Herbert is a dear, and that’s all to be said of him. <3 He deserved his Clara. The Pockets were all so funny, although a little annoying. Mrs. P. was an idiot and Mr. P. was a very weak man. Startop was great. Biddy is a darling. Mrs. Joe was awful, but I wish we knew why she was like she was though. Mr. Pumblechook and Mr. Wopsle are hilarious. Pumblechook is an old fraud and I despise him, but Wopsle is just an amusing idiot. The Hubbles are minor but amusing parts as well. Though I can’t understand why on earth they all ganged up on Pip that way.The plot is really the slow revelation of all these characters. It’s intriguing. Also at times exciting and at times relaxed, very often funny, sometimes sad, other times reflective. Dickens is a master at weaving threads together and Great Expectations is a great example. Overall, I think the theme of the book is “don’t judge people by what they are, but who they are,” and it teaches this very well.A Favourite Quote: “I had little objection to his being seen by Herbert or his father, for both of whom I had a respect; but I had the sharpest sensitiveness as to his being seen by Drummle, whom I held in contempt. So, throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.”A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “The best light of the day was gone when I passed along the quiet echoing courts behind the High Street. The nooks of ruin where the old monks had once had their refectories and gardens, and where the strong walls were now pressed into the service of humble sheds and stables, were almost as silent as the old monks in their graves. The cathedral chimes had at once a sadder and a more remote sound to me, as I hurried on avoiding observation, than they had ever had before; so, the swell of the old organ was borne to my ears like funeral music; and the rooks, as they hovered about the gray tower and swung in the bare high trees of the priory garden, seemed to call to me that the place was changed, and that Estella was gone out of it for ever.”A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I had observed at church last Sunday, when I accidentally held our Prayer-Book upside down, that it seemed to suit his convenience quite as well as if it had been all right. Wishing to embrace the present occasion of finding out whether in teaching Joe, I should have to begin quite at the beginning, I said, “Ah! But read the rest, Jo.”“The rest, eh, Pip?” said Joe, looking at it with a slow, searching eye, “One, two, three. Why, here's three Js, and three Os, and three J-O, Joes in it, Pip!” …“How do you spell Gargery, Joe?” I asked him, with a modest patronage.“I don't spell it at all,” said Joe.“But supposing you did?”“It can't be supposed,” said Joe.

A great classic from the Victorrian master (Charles Dickens) in a beautiful and low-priced paperback edition from Oxford World Classics!