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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I decided to read this book because I bought a poster with 100 books to read in your lifetime. This is book twenty-four on the poster. As with most classics, I struggled with this and sort of lost the storyline, and the pace was killing me.
This book is about an orphan named Pip and he was raised in squalor in the marsh country of Kent, he is taken under the wing of the eccentric and reclusive Miss Havisham, and he has given his heart to the dowager’s beautiful but ice-cold adopted daughter, Estella. Even as a mysterious benefactor helps to shape Pip’s life into one of fortune, success and self-discovery. But the unspeakable secrets of his unrequited love continues to haunt him and promises to change his life once again.
I enjoyed how the book was split into three parts to represent Pip’s life as a small, unloved boy who is in a toxic household and wanting some form of escape. To then getting his escape and becoming a man in London’s society and seeing how the society has changed him and made him into a toxic man, to then coming home and realising what he wanted. I enjoyed Pip’s growth even if I wanted to slap him at times for his actions and the people, he chooses to spend time with. Joe saved this book from being two stars, he was the only one who seemed to care about people and loved his job rather than trying to scheme his way up the society ladder.
Even though this book was under 300 pages, it felt like it was 900 pages. I am going to assume it’s because of the language and the classic feel to it, but it felt like pulling teeth to get this book finished. It was a long book of getting out of the friend zone. The rest of the side characters annoyed me, Pip’s sister was just a horrible woman who hated her life and took it out on anyone who would listen. Estella couldn’t make her mind up until the last chapter. Miss Havisham – I couldn’t make my mind up about, I was liking her and rooting for her, but I also didn’t trust her. There was a lot of events that weren’t needed, and it was confusing me as new characters were getting introduced with the events and then they would go after that.
The next book on the poster is A Tale of Two Cities, so let’s hope I understand that one a bit more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Violence
julleah's review against another edition
This book is super depressing and treats child abuse (physical and emotional) and manipulation like a normal everyday thing. It also has a weird relationship between an adult and minor that isn’t romantic but is strange and unhealthy. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
yrlaevelyn's review against another edition
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Grief, and Medical trauma
ladyrecordia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Some books are meant to be devoured, but this one? No, this one needs to be chewed and digested slowly. If you can muster the herculean stamina required to make it through Great Expectations, you'll be rewarded with glimmers of beautiful, heartbreaking prose that will stay with you forever. Pip, though he is not overly loveable, is deeply human at his core, and learns the hard way what matters most in life. Joe is by far my favorite character, owing to his good nature and surprising moments of innate wisdom. Careful! If you're not paying attention, you might miss it, and you really don't want to pass them by.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
bookerino's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This was a lot funnier than I was expecting it to be. Some people find it to be depressing, but I did not. I really appreciate the self awareness the main character has of his traumatic past and how it affects his current state of mind. But it's always said in a humorous tone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Classism
Minor: Mental illness
benblackwell's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Colonisation
helene_kuragina's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
When I decided to read this, I was skeptical. It's a little intimidating to pick up a 575 page whopper, especially a classic, because I was expecting purple prose and a tedious plot. But those judgements were completely wrong! I loved this book so much!
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.
I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!
In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.
My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder