This is my second selection for Trish’s Classics Challenge. I can’t say that it has won me over to loving classics yet but I did enjoy it for the most part although it is much too long. If they cut it down by 300 pages they could still get the whole story in and it would likely be better-at least for me.
Pip is really an endearing character and it’s quite the journey he takes us through on his expectations. Pip, an orphan, is taken in by his sister and he lives with her and her husband Joe. Joe is the town blacksmith. On the way Pip meets Miss Havisham who is rich and he feels she will help him out of his drudgery. Pip is not happy with life as he has it. However, it doesn’t seem as though this is what will happen and instead Pip ends up being apprenticed to Joe. This isn’t the kind of life Pip wants for himself at all. Also, Pip has fallen for the beautiful Estella who lives with Miss Havisham and really doesn’t give Pip the time of day.
Then Pip is told that he is to be a gentleman. Someone is supplying the funds for him to go to London and train in all the things necessary to achieve this. He is positive that this person must be Miss Havisham. So, of to London he goes-he is more than happy to leave home and everyone there. He meets Herbert and the two become great friends. Things move on in London. Finally, Pip learns who is benefactor was and it wasn’t who he expected. At first he is very angry but accepts it later on. However, Pip no longer has the money to stay a gentleman and is instead in debt. Police come to arrest him but he becomes very ill. When he awakes Joe is there taking care of him. Pip wants to tell him how he was wrong to treat Joe as he did but he just can’t get it out. Joe goes back home after paying Pip’s debt. After this illness, Pip realizes that while he thought he loved Estella, he had really cared for Biddy. This realization comes to late as Biddy ends up marrying Joe. So, in the end Pip is working with his friend Herbert and making a good living. He meets Estella in the park and they decide to remain friends.
As I said this novel was much too long and there were parts that were dreadfully boring but the premise of the story is a good one. I know for some people there are some amazing insights in this book but not so much for me. Am I glad I read it-yes I am but would I be running to read more Dickens; probably not too quickly in the future although I do love A Christmas Carol. That being said I’m on to my next classic which will be Lady Chatterly’s Lover.
- Other blogger reviews: Blue Archipelago
I wonder if this book was originally published in installments in a newspaper. I believe at least one of his was. At least that way the length wouldn’t be an issue, right? I give you credit for giving these classics a try!
You know I think you’re right Mary. I read on the back of the book that it had been originally in installments and then brought together. lol-I give myself credit for trying these. I’ve never really been one for the classics unless it’s Little Women or Anne of Green Gables.
Holy smoke, Dar. You are my new hero. Willingly reading a classic (in fact, more than one) and a hard one, at that.
I have two degrees in English (Okay, so they’re both in writing) and I have managed to avoid reading most of the classics.
Really. You are my new hero.
Susan, thanks for making me laugh!
Ha ha–I think you’ve successfully summed up all classics. Too long and a little boring. 🙂 I read Our Mutual Friend a few years ago and it is a whopping 800 pages. Probably 600 pages too long. I do like Dickens, though. I think he’s funny even though at times the reading is a little dull. So, what’s next in line for you?? I’ve been doing deadfully poor on my classics reading!
Grrr–sorry Dar! Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Don’t know how I missed that. My mom read it for my challenge and she really enjoyed it (even though I think it was really outside of what she normally reads–it definitely had more s*x than she expected!). I haven’t read it, though, so I look forward to hearing what you think!
I’m another who really admires you for tackling this one, Dar. Great review, by the way. I’ve never read this book.
I just bought Lady Chatterly’s Lover at the library book sale. I look forward to your review.
I want to gather the courage to read this one someday. It sounds like it’s a good idea to take it slowly. Like you, I love A Christmas Carol, and also Dicken’s ghost stories like The Signal Man.
I’m reading Lady Chatterly’s Lover for the challenge too! I’ll be fun to compare notes 🙂
Trish, I do agree and I think I forgot to mention that in my review that Dickens is funny at times-I had a few laughs. I sure hope that Lady Chatterly will be good. I have heard good things about it so I’m hoping…
Shana, a lot of people have to read it in school but we never did. I don’t think I read any classics in high school.
Bree, thanks for popping in. Hopefully Chatterly will be a faster read than Expectations for me. lol.
Nymeth, lol-it does take a bit of courage for this one but I do think it was worth it. I can now say that I’ve read Great Expectations and sound impressive. Yes, it will be fun to be reading Chatterly’s at the same time!
well..that is the deal with classics right? it is more about the writing than about the story.. i read three at a stretch for the challenge and i think that was an overdose for me.. am taking a break now before getting to the remaining 2 classics.. i am glad trish is hosting this challenge though.. gives me a chance to read at least 5 classics this year!
having said that, i read great expectations before i started my blog and i really liked it.. dickens is definitely easier to read than most other classic authors..
Hey Ramya, 3 in a stretch would be too much for me. I need some of the other stuff in between. I agree on Dickens being easier than some, at least his writing makes sense to me. I’m looking forward to Lady Chatterly though and then Little Women for sure.
You must have a good feeling of accomplishment for finishing this book! It definitely is not a super easy read. I really like GE, and I’m planning to read another Dickens for the classics challenge, but I know it will take quite a bit of time. I’m looking forward to your review of Lady Chatterly’s Lover–I don’t really know much about it at all!
I’m with you on this one! I never really liked it and am so glad I don’t teach 9th grade where it is taught!
Laura, I did really feel a sense of accomplishment when I finished GE. I tried reading it once years ago and didn’t finish so I was quite proud this time around. I started Lady Chatterly last night and it actually seems quite good so far-I’m pleasantly surprised.
Linda, what do you have your 9th graders reading? People are always quite surprised when I say we didn’t read classics in high school but we didn’t.