hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
I had to read this book for a class, so I had to finish it—with my newfound refusal to finish books if they’re dreadful I would probably have stopped reading otherwise and I would definitely have missed out. The book is excruciatingly slow moving for a very big part of it, and Dickens’ verbosity is painful, but if you can get past that there is a lot to be found in this novel. The characters are fascinating, at times repulsive and at other times endearing. Pip’s changes made me furious with him, and his later growth helped me like him again. The other characters likewise evokes strong emotions and that is one of the signs of great writing.
The plot is interesting although slightly predictable at times. The best parts of the novel are definitely the insights into the lives of the different broken people and how many of them manage to pick up the pieces and find peace after all.
I wasn’t sure which ending I preferred but after thinking about it, the original ending does seem to fit best with the rest of the story and it would be nice to think that Pip found peace and some happiness by letting go of Estella.
The plot is interesting although slightly predictable at times. The best parts of the novel are definitely the insights into the lives of the different broken people and how many of them manage to pick up the pieces and find peace after all.
I wasn’t sure which ending I preferred but after thinking about it, the original ending does seem to fit best with the rest of the story and it would be nice to think that Pip found peace and some happiness by letting go of Estella.
arae0311's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first full Dickens (although I've read passages from this book and others in secondary school), and I was pleasantly surprised, as many like myself assume Dickens is dull, dry and long. This book is surprisingly fast-paced, well written and intriguing. This is at its core a moral story, and for that reason was at times predictable and cheesy, however it is definitely a classic and so well known for a reason.
laurenjpegler's review against another edition
3.0
Finally finished this book after a couple of months of reading, and tbh I'm glad I took my time with it. It's a very dense and detailed book and realistically it could have been told in half the pages it was, but I still enjoyed it. Dickens is an amazing writer and it's very obvious he pays full attention to his story telling. I would have probably given it like a 3.75 if I had to be specific but still I would recommend it for a classic!!
bangtan_bookworm's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.25
aleyslays's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Charles for writing one of the best books I have ever read.
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
This one is a classic for a reason.
But I had a win/win solution for the ending. Jaggers is slipping.
But I had a win/win solution for the ending. Jaggers is slipping.
kiwi_of_serenity's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED this book, but I regret to say that most people my age do not. I found it really amazing, not just because of its own history, but because it is a good book all by itself. It has made me want to read more Dickens, which I have not yet done, but I just couldn't believe that something so intriguing, relatable, and downright fun could have been under my nose for so long. The characters are the kind you wish you could talk to, and their choices and experiences seem so firsthand. It's also cool because ( slight spoiler) you get to see the main character grow up- there are no loose ends at the end of the book, and you are really satisfied by the end. Which is good because the rest of the book is riff with cliff-hangers because the story was originally published serially. I recommend the website Discovering Dickens (http://dickens.stanford.edu/great/expectations.html) for help with the older words. That really lets you enjoy the story flow without constantly looking up what a hansom is.
bne's review against another edition
5.0
It may not be perfect.
But in my eyes it is a masterpiece of Dickens.
As to be expected of an 19th-century novel the first half could be a bit slow. But the way the book wrapped up in the last hundred pages was phenomenal. Fantastic expression of emotion, and making the choices in life that might seem to be right but in the end, weren't.
5 stars.
But in my eyes it is a masterpiece of Dickens.
As to be expected of an 19th-century novel the first half could be a bit slow. But the way the book wrapped up in the last hundred pages was phenomenal. Fantastic expression of emotion, and making the choices in life that might seem to be right but in the end, weren't.
5 stars.