Great Expectations: (Charles Dickens) 1860 Classic

by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations, a renowned novel written by Charles Dickens in 1860, is a coming-of-age story and a celebrated work of Victorian literature. The narrative revolves around the maturation and personal growth of a young orphan named Pip. Initially released in serialized form in the weekly publication All Year Round from December 1, 1860, to August 1861, the novel was later published in three volumes by Chapman Hall in October of the same year. Dickens had originally intended the story to be twice as long, but due to constraints imposed by the publication's management, the length of the novel had to be limited. Despite its brevity, the book exhibits a dense and concise writing style, which is uncommon for Dickens. G. K. Chesterton remarked that it was written during the later phase of Dickens's life and fame. Great Expectations is the second-to-last completed novel by Dickens, preceding Our Mutual Friend. The story is primarily set in the marshes of Kent and London during the early to mid-1800s and includes some of the most memorable scenes in literature. One such iconic scene occurs at the beginning of the novel, as the young Pip encounters the escaped convict Abel Magwitch in a graveyard. Immerse yourself in the brilliance of Charles Dickens by obtaining an original 1860 edition of Great Expectations.

408 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2023

About the author

Charles 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)

Reviews

[Jimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read two other Dixkens books: A Tale of Two Cities (which I loved very much) and A Christmas Carol and other Christmas short stories. I have never read anything else, although I dislike the musical Oliver and I liked the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood
People talk about Great Expecations as if it is brilliant, and I can tell you I never saw the movies or TV shows of any of his other works.
Great Expectations was kind of a great disappointment, to be honest. Not that it was bad or anything, but it just lacked heart. U found no one except Joe, Biddy, Mr. Jaggers assistent. and Herbert to be wonderful and everyone else, including Pip to be totally unlikable.
If the protagonist is kind of a fluffy, selfish as...why read the book?
I slogged through it because I liked the historical aspects interesting, along with the verbiage of the writing.
I guess it is worth reading, but I'm not sure I can take another 500 page Dickens novel . . . At least not for long while.