In the past half an hour I have finished reading Great Expectations. I am not sure what my own expectations were of this book before I started reading it. I remember watching the film when I was much younger and being scared half to death by Magwitch and the weirdness of Miss. Havisham. But reading the book I found to be an entirely different experience. Pip as narrator and central character to the novel provides an attraction to an otherwise rather dark story. The character himself may have many faults but his open and lovable character makes him all the more endearing to Dickens' readers. Any doubts I may once have had about reading Great Expectations have been firmly locked away, thanks to Dickens' creation of Pip, along with Estella, Herbert, Joe, Magwitch and the chilling, mysterious Miss. Havisham.
I may once have had doubts about Dickens himself, about his ability to write. I wondered whether he really was as great as his Victorian companions: Bronte, Bronte, Eliot and Hardy. But again these doubts have been put to rest because of the magesty with which he unravels Pip's great expectations. Pip is a wonderful creation. And through the trials and tribulations put before him, Dickens' readers are able to feel for him and grow closer and closer throughout the novel. By the end I just wanted to give him a great big hug.
Estella, well known for her beautiful looks but icy glare, grew on me more than I ever thought she would. Perhaps because she was just an object to be used for revenge for Miss. Havisham, and as a result she turned away Pip, who really loved her, and led a life of misery for many years. I couldn't help but feel extremely sorry for her.
Miss. Havisham and Magwitch, I feel, add an extra bit of power to an already great novel. Both are intriguing and strange and with Pip's narration Dickens' readers are able to understand their somewhat odd ways.
All in all a great read which exceeded my expectations.
I may once have had doubts about Dickens himself, about his ability to write. I wondered whether he really was as great as his Victorian companions: Bronte, Bronte, Eliot and Hardy. But again these doubts have been put to rest because of the magesty with which he unravels Pip's great expectations. Pip is a wonderful creation. And through the trials and tribulations put before him, Dickens' readers are able to feel for him and grow closer and closer throughout the novel. By the end I just wanted to give him a great big hug.
Estella, well known for her beautiful looks but icy glare, grew on me more than I ever thought she would. Perhaps because she was just an object to be used for revenge for Miss. Havisham, and as a result she turned away Pip, who really loved her, and led a life of misery for many years. I couldn't help but feel extremely sorry for her.
Miss. Havisham and Magwitch, I feel, add an extra bit of power to an already great novel. Both are intriguing and strange and with Pip's narration Dickens' readers are able to understand their somewhat odd ways.
All in all a great read which exceeded my expectations.
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