Charles Dickens Great Expectations

When I was much younger I used to enjoy reading the Classics. This summer I decided that I don't read enough, and have made it my task to read as much as I can over the summer break. For light reading I have read a couple of Sidney Sheldon's books, a biography about Oliver Reed and a great classic Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I found Kate Aidie's autobiography in a charity shop, this will be my next read.

Great Expectations is the story of Pip. At the beginning of the story Pip is a young boy living with his sadistic sister and her gentle husband Joe. Pip runs into a convict in the graveyard near his home. He steals food from the larder of their home for the starving convict.  This is a secret that he fears to disclose, and never does disclose, because of his sisters vicious temper, and the disappointment it would cause his brother in law Joe.

Throughout the story there are numerous colourful characters, the narrative follows Pip's misunderstandings  and misinterpretations of events until the effect of all the people in his life, lead him to the realisation that his life is dogged by guilt at his own arrogance and stupidity. The final three chapters are incredibly touching and sad as he realises what he has done, and how badly he has treated the people in his life who deserved his love and loyalty. Pip atones for his foolish behaviour and tries to put the wrongs, right.

Great Expectations is a timeless narrative that is as relevant today as it was when Charles Dickens wrote the work. Once I had started reading it, I couldn't put it down, and at the end, I was sorry to have finished it.


http://www.archive.org/details/GreatExpectations1946e