A review by maecaitlin
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

2.75

Spoiler Pip and Estella not getting together in the end was the correct choice.
Spoiler Dickens could’ve done with a tight edit to cut out filler pages. Theme of race not fully realised, although the way he shows language-acquisition is quite interesting. Presentation of class  is weighed off virtue and vice, not a systemic understanding. But, who expects Dickens to be a Marxist? Not me.

Most of the characters are viewed through Pip’s narration, so this makes them quite one-note.  Miss Havisham is a fascinating character from a modern feminist understanding at the very least. The saving grace of this book is the final 100 pages that make for an excellent conclusion after a tredge through the middle. Classic coming-of-age format.