Great Expectations was written in 1860, Charles Dickens’ eight novel.   It is one of many great classic books by the author.    I chose to reread this book after 50+ years.    I have read many of his books and have remained a dedicated fan for these decades.   The story is well known and has been made into movies and TV series.    Some of the characters are well-remembered – Magwitch, Joe Gargery, Miss Haversham, Estella, Mr. Jaggers, and an assortment of other characters.

The hardest part of reading a Dickens novel is to get through the stilted dialogue of the times, full of class distinction, apologetic politeness, and indirect meaning.    The book is told in the first person of the main character, Pip from age 7 to years into his adult life.   It is a coming-of-age novel, a story of a young man with great expectations.    This title and meaning is full of irony at several levels, and the events of the book reset the expectations of Pip, but also the reader.

This is a novel rich in social commentary, compassion, insight, and intricate detail.   Reading the book is a journey to a different time, but there is deep humanity that transcends the years.    An outstanding book – 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8