What do you think?
Rate this book
Great Expectations (Penguin Classics) by Charles Dickens (16-Feb-2004) Paperback
Unknown Binding
14 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Charles Dickens
12.7k books31.3k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 31, 2024
omg that took so long but the ending!!! so worth it !!!
January 18, 2024
Review for My own personal reflection...
A year ago I tried to read this book but gave up after 100 pages. It seemed so sad. This time around I was able to engage in the story and stick it out and I am glad that I did. It's still a sad story, as the main character, Pip, has a hard life. Even when good fortune seems to find him, his trials and hardship do not end. Despite Pip's circumstances, this book is very funny and I appreciate all the interesting characters and humour. One of my favorite characters was probably his friend's father, whom they called "the Aged." This story has a redeeming quality about it, as Pip learns the hard way what really matters in life. It has a happy and hopeful ending.
A year ago I tried to read this book but gave up after 100 pages. It seemed so sad. This time around I was able to engage in the story and stick it out and I am glad that I did. It's still a sad story, as the main character, Pip, has a hard life. Even when good fortune seems to find him, his trials and hardship do not end. Despite Pip's circumstances, this book is very funny and I appreciate all the interesting characters and humour. One of my favorite characters was probably his friend's father, whom they called "the Aged." This story has a redeeming quality about it, as Pip learns the hard way what really matters in life. It has a happy and hopeful ending.
Read
April 16, 2024Such Novel! Very formula? Helped establish the formula. Three act structure, suspense, cliffhangers- the hallmarks of Dicken’s publishing it in parts in a magazine. Had the early 1800’s london vibes I was after. Portrait of what money does to a life- Pip is elevated to a whole other caste, his benefactor obsessed with him being a ‘gentlemen’. The ‘Finches of the Grove’ are a fun satire or the ‘gentlemen’- belligerent fellowship. Pip leaves his people in the dust with his elevation, leaving them with false promises- prefer original ending. Joe is the best.
June 27, 2025
Classic as remembered.
December 4, 2025
I believe I am now a Dickens fan. last year I read dombian's son, which was awesome. This one is better.
December 31, 2025
One of the classics that was recommended to me. Great characters that are surprisingly modern for the 19th century. Starts of slow but once you hit the parts two and three it picks up speed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews