Expectations fulfilled (Great Expectations - Charles Dickens)

Member Name: Buzby

Product:	Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
Date:	08/08/00 (199 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cleverly laid out plot

Disadvantages: none

This is the only Dicken's novel I have read,I am not sure why it hasn't inspired me to try others, since this is one of my favourite books.
Phillip Pirrip (pip) is an orphan, who lives with his sharp tongued sister, and her not very bright husband Joe the blacksmith. Despite his sisters temper, Pip is fairly happy with his life, and looking forward to becoming an apprectice to Joe.
One day Pip has a strange encounter in the graveyard with a convict who asks Pip to bring him a file and some food. More frightened of the convict than of his sister, Pip does as he is asked.
Pip is sent by his sister to play at Miss Havishams, a bitter old woman whose only companion Estelle, becomes Pip's love. At Miss Havishams, Pip is teased about his upbinging and begins to feel ashamed of Joe and his life, so when a mysterious benefactor gives Pip the chance of a new life as part of London's high society, he is delighted with the oportunity to improve himself and perhaps become a worthy suitor for his beloved Estelle.
For years Pip believes Miss Havisham to be his benefactor, and is convinced that she has great pland for he and Estelle. When the true identity of his benefactor is revealed, Pip's life comes crashing down around him.

The whole of this novel is woven through with sub-plots and morals, which some will love and others will hate. There is a healthy dose of humour in this book, which I have yet to see portrayed in any of the screen versions.
Dickens is a great story teller and this is a highly enjoyable story.

Summary: