Havisham

by Elle Machray

Charlotte Havisham has a secret.

She's been underestimated for too long: by her former fiancé, Compeyson; by her family; and by society.

But now her true heart's desire is within reach for the first time. And she will stop at nothing to get it.

This is the story of Miss Havisham as you've never heard it before.

And she will exceed all expectations.

A thrilling and immersive historical novel, Havisham is a queer feminist reimagining in which Dickens' most infamous female character tells her side of the story at last.

Genres: Historical, Lesbian, Historical Fiction, Queer, Adult, Fiction, LGBT

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2026

Reviews

[Gawain_the_Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The easiest five stars I have given a book ever!

From the cover, and the first page of the book right to the end this book is amazing, inventive, astonishing, exciting and unexpected - it is a real delight to read!

Miss Havisham from Charles Dickins’ Great Expectations decides after years of seclusion, and on discovering Molly Green trying to find and steal a letter from Dominic Compeyson (the man who jilted her at the alter) - on revenge!

Compeyson ruined Charlotte’s life, stole the brewery that was her inheritance and then ran her life’s work into the ground!

Charlotte starts scheming … some things go her way, some don’t, but the ride she takes races along with fizz and crackle - buckle up for a great summer read!

My only minor gripe was the epilogue which whilst I can understand why it was added (to round the melding of Great Expectations and Havisham out completely …. even down to the last line!) it was in my view not really necessary. It felt like an editor’s addition not necessarily where the author wanted to end ….. however I could be wrong!

I was honoured to read an uncorrected proof, and when it comes out properly, I will be recommending it left, right and centre! The only other books I do this with regularly are Nell Stevens’ Briefly, A Delicious Life, anything by Daniel Silva, and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune - joining these modern classics as far as I am concerned is VERY well deserved!

[rachel x]

"A thrilling and immersive historical novel, Havisham is a queer feminist reimagining in which Dickens' most infamous female character tells her side of the story at last."

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, there was a lot to like about this book. The writing style is clean and fresh, very easy to read and engaging. The plot was quite interesting and had some good twists and turns in it. Unfortunately, I just don’t think it was the book for me. I appreciate this is a reimagining of Great Expectations but names aside a lot of the characters didn’t feel massively recognisable to me. Some of the pacing was off – some plotlines felt rushed and heavy-handed, others were too subtle. The ending wrapped everything up nicely but quite quickly.

I could see the appeal of this book and the writing itself is so solid – it’s very readable – but I wasn’t wholly convinced by it. I think if you enjoy literary retellings of this type then this might work for you, but this was a first for me and ultimately it just wasn’t my kind of book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes:

Warnings: Violence, intimate partner violence, controlling and coercive behaviour, gaslighting, miscarriage (in past), use of drugs, non-explicit on-page sex, attempted child abuse, murder, death of a sibling, apparent suicide, incarceration, blood, grief..

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Havisham!

I really liked the idea of a queer, racially diverse prequel to Great Expectations that focused on two of the story's most interesting characters — Miss Havisham and Molly. Their backstories are dramatic and Gothic, and so I was really excited to read a book where they take centre stage. But while I appreciated all the Easter eggs in this novel, along with the focus on recovering from coercive control/intimate partner abuse, I'm sad to say that the execution just didn't do it for me.

First, it's worth mentioning that this retelling isn't at all compatible with Great Expectations. In fact, at the very end of the novel, it undoes 90% of Great Expectations and instead has a twenty-year-old Estella choosing to marry Pip. The author's acknowledgements say that her editor encouraged her to rewrite the ending to make it happier, and while I'm sure some readers will appreciate that, it didn't work for me. It's not that I dislike loose retellings; for example, I loved Kat Dunn's Hungerstone. But, because this wasn't clear until the very end of the novel, it made for a really strange reading experience. I kept wondering how we were going to see this novel's Miss Havisham turn into Dickens' version of her, and so when the epilogue tells us that this won't actually happen, it made me feel cheated. I wish this had been made clearer earlier on.

I also didn't feel as grounded in the time period as I would have liked. It's clear that the period was well-researched, but some of the dialogue felt far too modern. I frequently recognised popular phrases from relationship influencers and wellness influencers, and this broke my immersion every time. I wish the phrases had been reworded, so that even if the ideas has remained the same, the dialogue would have felt more period-appropriate.

Plus, I found the book was prone to telling me how to feel about characters, and particularly about the sexism they face, in a way that read like a set of inspirational quotes on social media. Don't get me wrong, I love feminist books. But I find it more impactful when this is shown through characters' emotions and experiences rather than having the narrator telling me how to interpret everything.

I also felt that some of the plots seemed to stagnate; some issues were solved far too easily; and sometimes the book seemed to brush over really important, traumatic things to focus on things that seem unimportant. For example, we spend a lot of time on the brewery's struggles in the first half of the novel, but that storyline almost disappears in the second half. We also spend a lot of time on a bizarrely complex event to humiliate an abusive partner, which I guess was meant to be empowering but just felt unrealistic, overly convoluted, and extremely dangerous for all the women involved. And then in contrast, the book doesn't spend a lot of time on Molly finishing the book with 30 months in Bethlam, away from her daughter, forcibly medicated, and the impact on her mental health and sense of self. I almost felt angry on Molly's behalf: her story is honestly more traumatic than Miss Havisham's, and she deserved to have that recognised. There wasn't enough of an acknowledgement of how much she suffered because of, among other things, Miss Havisham's plotting.

Even though there's a lot that didn't work for me, I still want to acknowledge that I love reading about queer, diverse people having historical adventures while falling in love. And I think this could be a fun read if you aren't bothered about the way the book deviates from Great Expectations or sounds at times quite modern.

I also had a much better time with Elle Machray's debut novel, Remember, Remember, so I'll look out for other books by this author.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperNorth for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

This was a pre-order I unfortunately had to cancel due to money issues and so I was delighted when HarperNorth send me an early e-copy.

I haven't read Great Expectations since my childhood, and yet this is the third book based on it I've read in two years, courtesy of Barbara Havelocke's Estella series. And what they have managed to do is make me desperate to re-read it. So once I can dedicate some time to it, I'll definitely go back to it.

I don't generally compare books but given the almost identical topics, I felt it was appropriate. I preferred Barbara's Estella books more (although I do know they were more about Estella and not Miss Havisham but they do exist in the same world) because they let the reader in more. Having said that, this is fabulous, absorbing, funny at times, sad, frustrating, and a joyous...I was going to say 'retelling' but I don't see it as that, it's more an addition.

Elle's novel Remember, Remember was such an epically wonderful book that I've been looking forward to her next book ever since. And she's joined the world of Dickens, and as a Dickens collector, this promised a lot.

I won't compare it to Remember, Remember because that was based on a true story whereas this is based on fiction. But there are definitely similarities in her writing. She creates such vivid, instantly likeable (even if they're not meant to be) characters.

The world building in this is wonderful. Yes, Dickens has laid a lot of the ground work, but she's managed to honour that but create something of her own.

On the whole, I'm not usually a fan of when authors take a much-loved story and flips it for a more feminist voice. Let me explain. I don't dislike them when they're needed. But I do find at times that people do that just to tick a box and it's not really necessary and it doesn't really work. But let me say now, this is not like that. This is it's own beautiful story that definitely has its place among the Dickens adaptations. It also gives us a chance to hear the untold story of someone who, quite frankly, had quite a large role in the original but it was more of a silent role, and I found that interesting.

It is slow in places, yes, bits with maybe too much description instead of character or plot. But it didn't impact my enjoyment of it. Some bits are slower, yes, but some bits faster and overall I think she's got the balance just about right. I never felt bored and nor did I feel rushed.

I find in Machray's Miss Havisham, she has found her inner power, and she's written it in a way to speak to her readers. I can only speak as a female reader, but it's like she's handing that power over to us, reminding us of our power. And I got that feeling within the first couple of chapters which was impressive.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

HAVISHAM is a very interesting book to try and review. It doesn't really work as a re-imagining of Dickens because it doesn't give an explanation for how we meet the Miss Havisham we get in GREAT EXPECTATIONS - because we never end up with that Miss Havisham. We somewhat start with her, but by the end (when GREAT EXPECTATIONS would start), this book's Charlotte Havisham is happy and hale, not bitter and manipulative. And yet, if this had been just a historical novel without the connection to GREAT EXPECTATIONS, it wouldn't work as well as a pitch (and so probably wouldn't have ended up being published). That is the paradox inherent in this sort of book, a retelling that entirely rewrites a character's being.

This is why I think I struggled with getting into this book - I was aware that the book had two options: 1) end in misery and all ruined, in order to get us to the Miss Havisham of GREAT EXPECTATIONS or 2) completely ignore the character Miss Havisham is in that novel in order to deliver a less depressing option. And I didn't feel like I particularly wanted either. (Also, why would Magwitch give Pip his money in this version of the tale when he has Estella?)

If you are able to disentangle this book from Dickens and everything you think Miss Havisham should be and instead think of this as a story about a woman name Charlotte who is deeply wronged with few recourses thanks to Victorian laws, then this book is great. It's about found family and fighting against a world that wants to call you mad and dismiss you for being a woman with a mind. It's about getting revenge on the men who have decided to exploit you. It's about love in all its forms - parents and children, lovers, family of choice and blood. It's about women making their own paths.

I liked that it looked at the wealthy industrial class. Some of Charlotte's friends have it from historic routes (one friend can trace her line back to the crusades), but Charlotte comes from a family of businessmen. This is an era of (a select few) able to get very wealthy through industrial processes and the brewing business is not one I had thought overmuch about but was fascinating to read about.

I liked that both Charlotte and Molly get to narrate. It is ultimately Charlotte's tale and she narrates the most (with Molly coming in from the second act.) They have very different perspectives on life but also similar wounds that draw them together, but also provide a barrier to overcome for a relationship. They're wounds that are as much about being able to trust themselves as the other.

[Helen Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel focuses on Miss Havisham and Molly giving them dramatic, gothic backstories. While inspired by Great Expectations, the novel is not a retelling but a reimagining of the characters, so don’t expect to see it as a prequel. This did mean that I spent some time while reading wondering how the two books would morph together but once immersed in the book I chose to separate the two and simply enjoy this new story. Good job because in the epilogue the author tells us quite clearly that synching the stories won't happen. I wonder if that could have been revealed in a prologue and saved my aching brain in the first third of the novel. I enjoyed Machray’s prose style and her research of the period seems thorough. However, occasionally I wanted her to step back from her writer role and just let me interpret the story rather than have events and feelings overly explained, pointing out how I should feel about the circumstances and sexism that the characters experienced.

Careful some spoilers ahead!

I found the brewery information fascinating and loved that Havisham was so involved and interested. I was sorry to lose this thread of the story somewhat in the last third of the book. Havisham’s character was well-drawn and her relationship with Molly was sensitively developed. Molly’s life was traumatic, her interactions with Magwitch and life in Bethlem. Although I was glad of the true love and sense of identity she found, I did feel that Havisham had a lot to answer for having put her at risk so often throughout the story. I enjoyed the mending of Havisham’s relationship with her brother and adored and admired Jaggers.

I found the epilogue almost unnecessary and wonder if it was part of Machray’s original draft. She mentions in the acknowledgements that her editor encouraged her to rewrite the ending to make it happier. Perhaps some readers like a ‘tidying up’ but I didn’t need everything tidied and explained. The stronger sense of a future happiness lay perhaps even earlier in the novel, omitting the final scene with Compeyson on the moor. What an emotional ending in the scene with Molly and Havisham – “…but this hand, this weight, is the most certain thing between them.” At this as a final line to the novel, I would have closed the book happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

[katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! My fascination with Miss Havisham aged 14 is what made me realise I wanted to study English Literature, and kickstarted my love for the “fallen woman” trope that I eventually wrote my dissertation about. Because of this, I was so intrigued to see how Ella Machray would reimagine her story, and she did not disappoint!

Havisham is a feminist retelling featuring a sapphic slow-burn love story. It reimagines Charlotte Havisham not as a tragic figure doomed for all eternity, but as an ambitious, passionate woman who fell victim to the patriarchy and was mistreated by men, before ultimately finding the strength to pull herself out of the role society tried to force her into and live her story out loud.

One of my favourite parts of the novel was the found family Charlotte ended up surrounded by. Although she faced yet more tragedy, she went from feeling alone and miserable to surrounded by love all its forms. The themes of motherhood were interestingly handled with both her and Molly, but I would have loved to see more of the impact of their life and the events of the novel on Estella too. The love story between Molly and Charlotte was beautiful, I only wish there had been room to develop it even more within the text as the narrative required them to be apart for large sections of the novel, but I really believed in their relationship and was hoping for them to get their happy ever after.

I did feel some parts were quite slow in pace, particularly towards the end as I found myself wanting to wrap up the Compeyson, Magwitch and Arthur storyline and get back to Charlotte and Molly, but the more eventful chapters more than made up for it! The ending, though potentially subversive for fans of the classic Dickens work, was moving and beautifully done. Overall, I really enjoyed Havisham and would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys feminist retelling of classic stories!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Havisham is a gorgeously sharp, quietly furious reclamation of one of literature’s most misunderstood women—a story that slips the dust sheets off Dickens’ infamous bride and lets her speak in her own voice at last. What emerges is not the brittle caricature we think we know, but a woman shaped by desire, ambition, and the bruising weight of a world determined to keep her small.

Charlotte Havisham is written with such vivid interiority that you can feel the pulse of her longing and the slow, exquisite burn of her rage. The novel traces the familiar outlines of betrayal—Compeyson’s charm curdling into cruelty, the family’s clipped expectations, society’s relentless policing of a woman’s hunger—but it does so with a modern, queer, feminist sensibility that makes the story feel startlingly alive. There’s a delicious pleasure in watching Charlotte refuse to stay in the role assigned to her, in seeing her intelligence and cunning sharpen rather than collapse under heartbreak.

The historical setting is immersive without ever feeling heavy, the prose rich with candlelit tension and the quiet ache of thwarted possibility. And as Charlotte’s world narrows, her voice only grows more compelling—wry, wounded, and unashamedly ambitious. The novel doesn’t ask us to pity her; it invites us to understand her, to sit with the complexity of a woman who refuses to be neat or palatable.

What makes this retelling sing is the way it honours the gothic tragedy of Miss Havisham while giving her agency, desire, and a story that belongs wholly to her. It’s atmospheric, emotionally charged, and wonderfully subversive—a portrait of a woman who has been underestimated for far too long, stepping into her own legend with teeth bared.

A beautifully wrought, immersive reimagining that lingers like smoke.

My thanks to Elle Machray, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This queer and feminist perspective of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations puts Miss Havisham at the head of the story and asks, ‘what if Miss Havisham’s story does not begin and end within Satis House?’. The overarching theme is the women of the novel reclaiming their agency within the patriarchal society of 19th century London. We see how men attempt to manipulate and control women, but in this story they get the opportunity to fight back and write their own story. It also sensitively explores themes of domestic abuse and its impact on the lives of women subject to it. There is a strong emphasis on found family which is always a trope I enjoy.

I appreciated that, despite Charlotte being a strong willed character, her struggles and heartbreak are not diminished. We see her, as well as other women in the novel, experience emotional vulnerability and mental distress; they are not ‘perfect’ women, which makes them all the more interesting. Likewise, it reminds us that the so-called ‘mad’ women of the time have an identity and story behind them, with multifaceted experiences. Women at the time were so often subjected to scrutiny for being too emotional or reactive, and we get to see behind the curtain of ‘madness’ to the reality.

I really enjoyed this feminist perspective on Miss Havisham’s story, and especially that it had queer themes! I found the pace a little slow at times but this did not take away from my enjoyment; as events began to unfold I was invested and needed to know whether Charlotte would get her revenge, and possibly a happy ending.

Thank you to HarperNorth and NetGalley for the digital ARC and opportunity to review.

[Niniane · Rating 3 out of 5]

To begin with, I haven't read the original book. But I researched the plot and the characters in order to understand it better.

And I must say: I love what the author did with this story. She turned it on its head and it was lovely. The themes of trauma, abuse and breaking the cycles were cathartic. Love isn't pain. Children don't have to suffer from their parents' mistakes. People aren't defined by the abuse they suffered. A good life is still possible.

I see no issue with reclaiming such stories and giving them a hopeful twist. Turning them into instruments of healing is a powerful act. Because it is something we need to hear and see.

I love the fact that Charlotte and Molly raised Estella together! Yes, even back then there were happy lesbian couples. It's very important to say it, especially given how the Franchaela storyline in Bridgerton was received. People want happy endings, but not for the lesbians it seems.

So why the 3 stars? First of all, the style was very direct and the story lacked emotional impact. The dialogue felt clunky. Yes, it was satisfying to see the women take their revenge. But they pay it dearly at some point. That's really a mixed message here.

Also, Charlotte had strong moments, but Molly was only defined by the abuse she had endured. Her stay at the mental ward was handled in a particularly callous and insensitive manner.

In conclusion: I loved what this book did, but I didn't fully like how it did it.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Havisham exceeded my expectations!!

As a huge Dickens fan, I was very intrigued to read this and it did not disappoint!

The classic Great Expectations saw Miss Havisham, a jilted bride, left in her own self pity and sadness, in the grandeur of Satis House, frozen in time with no will to carry on.

Enter Elle Machray and now we have Charlotte Havisham's own story and her quest to right wrongs and prove she is not what people assumed her to be. If you like strong female leads, justice, strength - and a bit of revenge - then this is the book for you!

This is a brilliant story, bringing Miss Havisham to life and showing us what happened long after Dickens had written his final words for her.

With familiar characters, Jaggers, Magwitch and Compeyson to name a few, I found something comforting from the original Dickens story, but this is not a rewrite - this is a new story, moving on from where the characters were left. It lets you into a brand new world, following their past experiences, showing what can happen long after you think you've said goodbye to classic characters and the author has written this one beautifully.

I often wonder what might have been for characters when I finish a book and Havisham is such a brilliant example of life after a story ends.

I have no hesitation in recommending this.
Out now!


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NetGalley e-ARC

[Trina Persyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for Havisham, and I enjoyed it even more than I expected!

I read Great Expectations as a child, and while I’ve completely forgotten most of it, the character of Miss Havisham has always stayed with me. This isn’t a direct prequel, but it stands strongly on its own whilst still honouring the original source material.

This queer, feminist retelling explores Dickens’ enigmatic Miss Havisham, giving her depth, agency, and the revenge she deserves !!

I loved how natural the progression of Charlotte and Molly’s relationship felt. It wasn’t love at first sight, so their feelings felt like a natural development. The yearning levels are perfect !!! And it’s a slowburn which feels SO worth the wait.

I will also say I related a lot to Charlotte’s character from an autistic perspective, not sure if this was intentional, but it made me love the book even more.

Elle Machray has a beautiful style of writing; it feels almost like a classic but flows as well as modern day. You can really feel the depth of research and passion on every page. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperNorth & Elle Machray for gifting me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kirsty Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by Havisham from the start, with a narrative so immersive I felt like I was watching a screen adaptation unfold. Molly Green is tasked with stealing a letter from Charlotte Havisham, but what unfolds is a tale of revenge, ambition, and self-discovery.

Elle Machray's descriptive writing brings Victorian-era England to life, particularly the atmospheric brewery settings. The character development is impressive, especially considering the characters' complex histories. Charlotte's voice is powerful, revealing how Compeyson's manipulation led to her heartbreak.

This book reimagines Miss Havisham as a dynamic, passionate figure who refuses to be defined by societal expectations. The slow-burn of Charlotte and Molly’s relationship feels just perfect. It feels very natural, and the yearning is top tier.

Machray tackles tough themes like domestic abuse, societal injustices, and queer love with sensitivity, making the story both thrilling and thought-provoking. It's a must-read for fans of classic literature, feminist retellings, and sapphic romances.

This book is inventive, exciting, and hopeful and, has been added to my list of ‘forever recommending’.

Thank you to the author, Elle Machray, and Harper North for the advanced proof copy.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Great Expectations and work in a school so this is widely read. I was pleased when NetGalley asked me to review.

Miss Haversham is a character who I always thought it would be good to know this lady before the jiting at the alter, the bereavement of this by being surrounded by the decaying wedding breakfast in the wedding dress she was to be married in.

Ellie Machray has interpreted this bitter and twisted lady as we know (and who could blame her at this time) into an ambious lady with desire but living in a mans world during the victorian era. The story highlights the deep betrayal of Compeyson. This is a woman who has to conform to society or she could end up on the streets. Yet she is jilted.
I was worried this story would seem false and out of kiter with Dickens classic but this is a trully atmospheric gothic story that could have been told by the man himself.

A really thought provoking story and on a different slant and good interpretation

Really recommended and due for publication on May 7th 2026.

[Megan Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic character reimagined.

So, I haven't read Great Expectations for a very long time and was concerned that this would impact on my enjoyment of the story, but I was so wrong. I really enjoyed the subtle hints to the original story and Miss Havisham's original story. It hinted well to the original whilst still being original and unique. I really enjoyed seeing the characters develop and was surprised by how much I became attached to them and their stories.

I don't really enjoy reading classics and sometimes find that the style in which they are written makes me lose engagement, something I was scared would happen with this book. However, I found it surprising how much the story still felt like a classic, in honour of the original, but had been written in the style of a much more modern story, to keep it relevant and engaging.

Overall, a story I enjoyed a lot more than anticipated and a book that had me engaged and invested in knowing how things would work out.

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Elle' first book Remember, Remember and was delighted when I heard she was writing a new book even more delighted when I was accepted on Netgalley to read it.

I've still not read Great Expectations and have only come across Miss Havisham in Barbara Havelock's novel Estella’s Revenge. As most readers will know, Miss Havisham is a jilted bride who roams the rooms of Satis House in her rotting wedding dress, frozen in time.

This book far exceeded my expectations and is one of the easiest five stars I have given this year. Elle reimagines Miss Havisham from the typically known gothic figure into a courageous woman who refuses to simply be remembered as "just mad." I could have devoured this book in a day if I'd had time. The writing is beautiful, the world-building fantastic, and the well developed characters were a joy to get to know. Elle will be an auto-buy author for me now. I look forward to her future books and my pre-order arriving to display on my shelf.

[Rose Streamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. The premise, a feminist reimagining of Miss Havisham, felt exactly like something I would enjoy. However, the reading experience ended up feeling like a bit of a rollercoaster. There were sections that were fast paced and genuinely engaging, but these were sandwiched with slower parts and lengthy sections with very little happening.

The characters were likeable enough, but their development felt quite shallow. At times, their decisions seemed odd or irrational, which made it harder to stay fully invested. Overall, the story felt a little surface level, when I was hoping for something with more depth.

I am glad I stuck with it, as the plot picked up significantly around the 70% mark and became more compelling. Even so, I don’t feel particularly motivated to seek out more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Havisham, an interesting concept. Taking one of Darwins' most memorable characters and telling her side of the story then throwing in a sapphic twist.
Charlotte Havisham is a very defiant character and does not conform to the "meek and mild" female characters of the era. She is a woman scorned and not one to be messed with.
Machray has managed to recreate the atmosphere and world eloquently. The characters are beautifully drawn. The only negative is when it comes to any "intimate scenes" of which there are a few. They are described as in "admiring angles and curves" - which you could also use to describe a car. There is no depth to the description or connection it is very detached. I am not suggesting it should be "graphic description" but a little more "connection" is required.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

[CharlotteReadsFantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love classic literature but would prefer your Dickens with a side of unbridled feminism… I must INSIST you read Havisham by Elle Machray immediately.

I devoured this feminist reimagining of arguably the most infamous fictional spinster of all time.
Machray has managed to write a book that reads and feels like a Victorian classic whilst also being as digestible and as relevant as any contemporary romance.

The idea alone of Miss Havisham finally having her own story heard is satisfying enough, but for it to be steeped in themes of societal injustice, queer love and female rage & revenge, increases that satisfaction ten-fold.

Most women have had their own Compeyson and/or Magwitch to some degree, and Machray shines a light on various forms and effects of domestic abuse in a bold yet sensitive manner.

A huge thankyou to @harpernorth and @netgalley for sending me this eARC and introducing me to a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time.

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperNorth for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now I’ll honestly read anything sapphic, even if I don’t know the retelling it’s based off but it fell quite flat for me sadly but I don’t know if this is because I don’t know the story it’s based off.

I didn’t feel much for any of the characters other than Charlotte and Molly but that being said, I didn’t feel anything for their romance at all. Estella was a cute character and the found family aspect was great too and I did find myself caring for the two characters that died but I wasn’t interested in the plot at all sadly. But I will say it was a good and easy read, I read the last 50% of it in an evening.

[Jess T · Rating 1 out of 5]

Havisham is a gothic, sapphic, reimagining of Miss Havisham and her life prior to the events of Charles Dickens' novel.

I was completely hooked when I saw the cover and the blurb of this. A character study into Miss Havisham? Yes, please. Dare I even say, I had great expectations for this book.

Unfortunately, it was a let down from the start. Having read Great Expectations, the tone of the book, the characters, the dialogue. None of reflects the setting nor the time period. I stopped reading after the part where Miss Havisham notes that Compeyson didn't give her a choice in whether to get married or not. This is not the character that Dickens wrote about.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like these stories, where the author takes a well known character, and gives them a completely new lease of life.
It was hard for me to imagine Miss Havisham away from that cake, and out of that dress, yet here she is, with friends, in society.
It highlights how badly treated women were in the day. Stand up for your rights and you could be sent to Bedlam!
It was good to have all the familiar characters, in an unexpected turn of events, that I definitely enjoyed.


Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy

[Amber Raynes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read Great Expectations and it being my favourite Dickens novel, I had really high hopes for this. The background of what happened to Miss Havisham was beautiful to see and the links to the original story were very well-handled. The character development was great to see, and highlights so many important conversations about what it was like for women of the past (in terms of the criminal justice system). Overall, I think this is a really great piece of fiction which does fit the original story of Great Expectations very nicely.

[Batya’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A queer, feminist retelling of Dickens’ Great Expectations? Sign me up! If you suffered through one mandatory Dickens book after another in literature class, ardently wishing someone would come along and put Ole Chuck in his place, look no further. Elle Machray understood the assignment. Havisham isn’t just an origin story or prequel, but a complete and satisfying re-writing, both true to the original whilst being deeply subversive. If feminist retellings are your thing, Havisham by Elle Machray will not disappoint!

[Ash_reads24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bold, gothic reimagining that gives one of Dickens’ most misunderstood women the story she was always owed.

What I loved most: the razor-sharp revenge, the haunting atmosphere, and at the heart of it all, a beautifully written queer love story pulsing beneath the ruin and rage. Subversive, gripping, and impossible to put down this is Miss Havisham as you’ve never seen her before. 📚✨ 5 stars ⭐️! Definitely one to add to TBR!

[Rebecca Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last Miss Havisham has an actual name and a character full of spirit, strength and love.

I really enjoyed this re-telling. It was full of drama, character development and a focus on found family.

Miss Havisham isn't a madwoman - she's a fearless feminist!

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Not sure how the classic enthusiasts will receive it, but I loved it.

[★ molly ★]

e-arc received

[Meg Mythunderstood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding work, I was gripped from start to end

[The Reading Rose (Hannah)]

I'm really struggling to read this at the moment, I'm really not in the right headspace. Less of a DNF and more of a not right now.