A review by e_r_q
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

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

2.0

"Moths and all sorts of ugly creatures hover around a lighted candle. Can the candle help it?"

It is apparently only a myth that Charles Dickens was paid by the word to write his novels. But after reading Great Expectations, I wouldn't be surprised if that myth were actually the truth.

Although Dickens' witty writing initially engaged and entertained me for the first third of the novel, the rest of the book is written so superfluously, meaning it is extremely difficult to engage with the narrative. Worse still, the narrative itself is excessively drawn out, with some lifeless characters (who feel for the most part like plot devices), obvious themes and seemingly very little to say overall. There are also some plot beats that feel frustratingly convoluted, and overly-rely on coincidences and conveniences. 

There are the foundations of some good stuff here, but everything is so under-explored whilst simultaneously being unnecessarily long. In short, it is a chore to get through.
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