It's ironic, really, that the title of this so-called ‘classic’ is ‘Great Expectations’, because mine were stupendously dashed, I’m afraid.
Having heard so much about this Victorian author, the height of my expectations met Everest. I’m afraid they come to hit Earth with a great big bump; if I ever come to read any more works by this novelist, my expectations will be so low that I’ll be able to trip over them.
Never before have I realised just how bad a story can be.
In this review, I will begin with the positive points, which I cannot deny, there are plenty. In my opinion, Charles Dickens’ individual style is terribly incomparable to that of other authors, and for that, I commend him. It would be ludicrous to suggest that this particular aspect of the novel is anything less than extraordinary. It is my belief that there is much to be learnt from the dialogue of Dickens.
This impressive narrative style, ridden with adjectives and uniqueness, also makes it’s way into this novel’s characterisation. The way in which Dickens introduces Magwitch, an escaped convict is most memorable and anyone who wishes to read this novel can learn a lot from this style. Dickens snubs the fundamental rule of the English Language that is to refrain from using the word ‘and’ ad infinitum in that particular passage. This is displayed in the following extract from it:
‘A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head.’
This method of character portrayal is shared not by any other author. The mental image and the effect in which it has on the reader is outstanding.
However, from this point onwards, my criticism begins to take the slippery slope down to negativity. I feel that this novel’s themes and it’s basic storylines are what I could only describe as the proverbial crap that I would expect to read from my almost illiterate five-year-old cousin, for this novel’s best of the aforesaid consists of the sorry tale of Philip Pirrip- or Pip- an orphaned child. Pip stumbles upon convict in graveyard. Pip feeds convict. Pip receives a request to visit rich, old, mad and dumped-at-the-alter Miss. Haversham and Estella, her scheming accomplice and adoptive daughter who together aim to reek revenge upon the entire male population for Miss. Haversham’s big let-down. Pip then gallivants off to London, assuming that his benefactor for this deed is Miss. H. Although there’s not much to spoil, I won’t spoil it anyway, but there is more than one feeble twist to this story. The ending is hot for Miss. Haversham, Pip and Estella, but cutting for Magwitch.
I think that the storyline is weak to say the least. Very weak.
It is my conclusion that this novel was written in Victorian times to display a very Victorian message, if you like, one that is not relevant to modern day society. It explores many avenues for it’s characters. Practically everyone of the characters breaks some type of stereotype, from Mrs. Joe Gargery, Pip’s sister with whom he lives, to Magwitch, who turns out not to be that bad after all. This also suggests that a book shouldn’t be judged by it’s cover. Or, indeed, it’s title.
I have come to expect more, much more from other authors, such as Martina Cole, and it is for that reason that I have rated this classic with only one star. I was tempted to give it two, for it’s excellent linguistic practice, but I am here giving an opinion about how it is entertaining for a potential reader, and I’m afraid that in my opinion, it just isn’t.
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I've never sat down and rwad Dickens but one ting hewill be reembetred whilst modern authors are swept aside
SueMagee 03.02.2004 11:20
It bored me I'm afraid. I think Dickens is grossly over-rated.
Mattroberts 03.02.2004 09:08
I can honest and truly see where you're coming from. This is the only Dickens novel I like (even though, "like" isn't a word I'd use to describe it, really). I think Dickens is a talented author, but not for everyone. I really don't se the fuss, and I think if you don';t see the fuss you don't enjoy the novel. I think it rightly deserves it's "classic" label, though, Matt x
A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict in a graveyard on the wild Kent marshes; a ... more
summons to meet the bitter decaying Miss Havisham and her beautiful cold-hearted ward Estella; the sudden generosity of a mysterious benefactor - these form a s...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Great story that offers so much to the reader that they won't want to stop until it's over Disadvantages: May miss parts of the audio and story
Feb 2nd, 2004
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