Reviews

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

jo_mentaltravels's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

EN: Between my walks through a French cemetery and a trip to Las Vegas, in May, I was able to teleport with my best friend to 19th century's England – in "Great Expectations" (1861), by Charles Dickens.

Pip lives under the fearful roof of his sister's and in the warm company of her farrier husband, near Kent. One day, he's invited into the presence of Miss Havisham, the odd owner of an old mansion, and of her bold pupil Estella. This encounter, and the contrasts it highlights, will mark the begin of his troubled journey into adulthood.

Reading this book felt like a walk in the main avenue of a big city, with its display of sayings, customs, norms, characters, (extra)ordinary events, familial and societal dynamics. Each aspect captivated us either through its comedy, tragedy or, specially, something in between. While my previous experience (i.e., with "David Copperfield") felt more multifaceted and engaging, I think "Great Expectations" was more focused or intentional in its themes and reflections.

— Jo. 🐞🍀

–#–#–#–

PT: Entre as minhas passeatas por um cemitério francês e uma viagem a Las Vegas, em Maio, consegui ainda teletransportar-me para o cenário inglês do século XIX, com a minha melhor amiga – em “Grandes Esperanças” (1861), de Charles Dickens.

Pip vive sob a temível alçada da irmã e na calorosa companhia do seu marido ferreiro, perto de Kent. Um dia, é convidado a visitar Miss Havisham, a estranha proprietária de uma antiga mansão, e a sua ousada protegida Estella. Este encontro, e os contrastes que evidencia, marcará o início da sua atribulada jornada rumo à idade adulta.

Ler este livro foi como passear pela avenida principal de uma grande cidade, com a sua exposição de ditos, costumes, normas, personagens, acontecimentos (extra)ordinários, e dinâmicas familiares e sociais. Cada aspeto cativou-nos quer por ser cómico, trágico ou, sobretudo, algo intermédio. Embora a minha experiência anterior com o autor (i.e., com "David Copperfield") me tenha parecido mais multifacetada e envolvente, "Grandes Esperanças" pareceu-me mais focado e intencional nos seus temas e reflexões.

— Jo. 🐞🍀

firelight1604's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jekaluleka's review against another edition

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5.0

Dickens always hits, man! Love a class division commentary

nikkisbooks_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

gray5217's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

katieeereadsss's review against another edition

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3.0

3 stars for the book but 5 stars for joe ⭐️

gabbycackett's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mahahaloob's review against another edition

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2.0

One star for the amazing writing and one for that one Estella and Pip chapter, you know which one. Other than that, not my favourite book.

naimar's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Read this for school. I enjoyed the first and last parts, while the middle part was a bit convoluted for me.

wivixa's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5
Czytałam ją jako lektura na zajęcia, książka jest okej, nie do końca moje klimaty ale było kilka momentów przy których dobrze się bawiłam

„Bóg wie, że nie na­le­ży nig­dy wsty­dzić się wła­snych łez. Są one jak deszcz ob­my­wa­ją­cy pył, któ­ry za­le­ga na­sze stward­nia­łe ser­ca.”


„Jeżeli nie potrafisz dojść prostą drogą do tego, by nie być pospolitym, to krzy­wą dro­gą na pew­no do tego nie doj­dziesz.”

„Ktoś musi pil­no­wać garn­ka, aby się w nim go­to­wa­ło, bo wi­dzisz, samo się nic nie za­go­tu­je.”