That's it! It's done, and I hate that it is done. I am feeling quite petulant towards Dickens at the moment. I mean if he can give 800 plus pages to his other works, why not equal time to Pip. The story is over when it is over, I know...but I could have stayed with Pip and Joe for another two weeks...and Herbert...and Mr. Jaggers...and Wemmick...even Estella.
So I am shirking from any desire to write a proper book review. I don't want to synopsize it, don't want to analyze it, don't want to sum it all up. What I did want the entire time I was reading this masterpiece, was the chance to discuss these characters as if they were real people. Great Expectations is the perfect read for a group and I recommend, if given the chance, not reading it in a vacuum.
Dickens is genius when it comes to creating characters. There are too many that he renders lovable when my instinct is to turn away in disgust. How else could it be that I developed tender feelings toward Magwitch? I cursed Miss Havisham, as Pip did, but I couldn't help being intriqued and wanting to return to those rooms and that cake. And how many times did I want to slap Pip for the way he treated Joe? But it was Wemmick I couldn't get enough of. His philosophy regarding 'portable property' was almost slimy but I was taken from the moment Pip is welcomed into the Castle and the reader witnesses Wemmick's transformation. He must have been a character that inspired Wodehouse's writing as evidenced by Wemmick's use of 'the aged relative' as a term of endearment and the shortening of words to the first letter. The love and respect that Wemmick exhibited towards his father most certainly affected Pip as they did me.
Whatever my expectations were of Great Expectations, Dickens exceeded them. The thing about Dickens is often the reputation of his works proceeds my actually reading them. So I knew a little about the book...somebody named Pip is looking back on his life and there is a creepy lady who wears nothing but her old wedding dress and it is supposed to be some kind of masterpiece...but there was so much I didn't know that made the story completely unexpected. I mean this book has everything...heartbreak, romance, mystery, suspense, violence, redemption, and humor (I can't forget to tell you that there are parts of this story that are laugh out loud funny). And what I find most meaningful about the work is how Dickens expertly forces the reader to think about the 'big issues'. What does it mean to be good? What are the true riches in life? What is love? Can a person truly be redeemed and how does one attain redemption? What of forgiveness?
So, yeah, this is me gushing. It rarely happens but when it does I can go on and on, so I will restrain myself and ask, have you read Great Expectations, and if you did, did you want to gush too?
p.s. As part of the Read the Book, See the Movie challenge, I attempted to watch the 1998 Masterpiece Theatre adaptation starring Ioan Gruffudd but abandoned the movie about half way through the three hours. It was so not a match for the way I had envisioned the story as it unfolded in my mind's eye and I just didn't enjoy it the same way I did the book.
So I am shirking from any desire to write a proper book review. I don't want to synopsize it, don't want to analyze it, don't want to sum it all up. What I did want the entire time I was reading this masterpiece, was the chance to discuss these characters as if they were real people. Great Expectations is the perfect read for a group and I recommend, if given the chance, not reading it in a vacuum.
Dickens is genius when it comes to creating characters. There are too many that he renders lovable when my instinct is to turn away in disgust. How else could it be that I developed tender feelings toward Magwitch? I cursed Miss Havisham, as Pip did, but I couldn't help being intriqued and wanting to return to those rooms and that cake. And how many times did I want to slap Pip for the way he treated Joe? But it was Wemmick I couldn't get enough of. His philosophy regarding 'portable property' was almost slimy but I was taken from the moment Pip is welcomed into the Castle and the reader witnesses Wemmick's transformation. He must have been a character that inspired Wodehouse's writing as evidenced by Wemmick's use of 'the aged relative' as a term of endearment and the shortening of words to the first letter. The love and respect that Wemmick exhibited towards his father most certainly affected Pip as they did me.
Whatever my expectations were of Great Expectations, Dickens exceeded them. The thing about Dickens is often the reputation of his works proceeds my actually reading them. So I knew a little about the book...somebody named Pip is looking back on his life and there is a creepy lady who wears nothing but her old wedding dress and it is supposed to be some kind of masterpiece...but there was so much I didn't know that made the story completely unexpected. I mean this book has everything...heartbreak, romance, mystery, suspense, violence, redemption, and humor (I can't forget to tell you that there are parts of this story that are laugh out loud funny). And what I find most meaningful about the work is how Dickens expertly forces the reader to think about the 'big issues'. What does it mean to be good? What are the true riches in life? What is love? Can a person truly be redeemed and how does one attain redemption? What of forgiveness?
So, yeah, this is me gushing. It rarely happens but when it does I can go on and on, so I will restrain myself and ask, have you read Great Expectations, and if you did, did you want to gush too?
p.s. As part of the Read the Book, See the Movie challenge, I attempted to watch the 1998 Masterpiece Theatre adaptation starring Ioan Gruffudd but abandoned the movie about half way through the three hours. It was so not a match for the way I had envisioned the story as it unfolded in my mind's eye and I just didn't enjoy it the same way I did the book.
21 comments:
I haven't read it since I was at school; in fact I haven't read any Dickens except while I was at school so it is a surprise to see someone so enthusiastic about him! I must give it another shot...
Gee, it sounds like you liked it just a little bit! =)
I just can't get into Dickens but then people like you read him and oo and aaah and I begin to think something is terribly wrong with me.
Anyway, it was fun hearing you enjoy the book so much!
I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I have never read Pip (or most Dickens, to be fair). I didn't know about the creepy woman in a wedding dress, either. Goodness! Glad it was so worth the effort for you :-) I agree about Dickens' ability with characters- it's a rare skill!
Oh I love hearing you gush! I remember having the exact same feelings while and after I read it! I also wanted to slap Pip many times for the way he treated Joe. I also really agree with you on everything, totally. Rarely does a writer break your heart and make you laugh at the same time. This is one of my favourite books of all-time. Have you read anything else by Dickens? This was my first, and still my favourite.
For not writing a review, you've got a great post here! I knew very little about the plot of GE before listening last spring and experienced all the emotions you mentioned ... every last one!
Sorry about the movie. The Woman in White movie was disappointing, too. The plot was changed a little and the characters just didn't fit with my mental image. Will you be reading another Dickens soon?
Your praise of this novel certainly moves me to read it sooner rather than later. I've seen adaptations of most of Dickens' novels so it kind of puts me off reading (as I recall the plots - bad, I know!). I watched the 1989 adaptation of 'Great Expectations' with Anthony Hopkins in the role of Magwitch and I recall enjoying it. I haven't seen the 1999 one though - sounds like it may not do the book justice.
An interesting bit of trivia about the 1989 version is that Miss Havisham is played by Jean Simmons who had previously played Estella in 1946!
I am fortunate to live in Rochester where they hold a Dickens Festival in May and a Dickensian Christmas in December. Each event includes a street parade of people dressed in clothing from the time and many as characters from Dickens' novels... including Miss Havisham. I should put up some photos of that this year.
Rochester also houses Restoration House - which apparently was the inspiration for Miss Havisham's house and many of the pubs and shops here have names that give a nod to his novels... there's a pub called 'Expectations', for instance. I really should read Dickens soon... I think I might start with 'Pickwick Papers' - a favourite of mine :-) Sorry for such a long comment but thank you for your inspiring post!
You made me laugh about wanting to stay with Pip longer, as well as the other characters. I know just what you mean! I've not read much of Dickens, just this and A Tale of Two Cities, but both novels will be with me forever.
verity - LOL...I had the opposite experience...I read zero Dickens in school and feel somewhat of a blessing that I have had the chance to read him now:)
Carrie - Just a little...and you and I both know there is nothing wrong with you...you are the one when it comes to Montgomery, so you get a pass when it comes to Dickens:)
Aarti - Can you believe it? This old yellowed wedding dress and a wedding cake that feeds armies of mice and beetles...very creepy. I am fairly new to Dickens...this being my third...but it has to be the characters that will keep me coming back for me...and the plot:)
claire - Your comment reinforces my thoughts on this being a perfect group read. I would have loved to have someone else agree with me that Pip needed a throttling. So true about all the emotions his writing can make one feel. Like you, this one has made my all-time favorites list. In 2009, I read Oliver Twist (which I loved but not as much as GE) and A Christmas Carol (which I read during the last read-a-thon and could not fairly judge because I was exhausted:). Was there a sense of disappointed when you read other works by him? Or were they good, just not as good as GE?
JoAnn - Thank you:) I so wanted to like the adaptation because I am a fan of Gruffudd but it is just jarring when the images don't match up. I do want to read another Dickens very soon but I am having the hardest time deciding which one. How about you?
Rochester Reader - Yes! Hopkins is a perfect choice for Magwitch. It was the first thing that put me off while watching the 1998 version...this actor was nothing like I pictured. In regards to Simmons...that is really coming full circle. I have heard that the 1946 film was done really well. I should check out both...thank goodness for netflix. I would love to see any photos...especially of the Christmas festival...Dickens and Christmas always go together. I am going to see if I can find Restoration House on the internet and check it out as well. Pickwick is among the books I am considering reading next. I heard it is a book you can pick up and read, put down and return to it later. Is that true? No need to apologize for the length of your comment...I learned quite a bit and it was very interesting...thank you:)
dolcebellezza - I completely agree with you...Dickens makes such an impression that I know his writing will stay with me and inspire me to read more. I haven't read many of his works either and there is a certain excitement in knowing there are more out there waiting for me:)
Its fantastic isn't it? If you want a long one that won't leave you too soon - why not try Martin Chuzzlewit - I think that is great.
Hannah
Thank you for your kind comments. I haven't read Pickwick yet but am very familiar with the story and I think it should lend itself to episodic readings - wasn't it originally published in instalments? The 1985 film of the book is quite charming and witty... and I love the 'villain'. It does become a bit serious by the ending. Oh, I highly recommend the film to you (after the reading, perhaps?) - I laugh every time I watch it and I think the actors are all brilliant! You may recognise some of them (like Richard Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances). I make a habit of watching it at Christmas time and it is quite jolly. With names like Mr Snodgrass, Mr Winkle, Mr Jingle, Dr Payne... how can you not laugh? And a place name like Dingley Dell? Perhaps Wodehouse took a little inspiration from this work? You've really inspired me to read this now - lol! Would you like to host a read along on your blog or something?
Here is a short tour of Dickens' Rochester http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/CD-Kent-Rochester.html which includes a snippet about Restoration House. Sadly the Dickens Centre at Eastgate House has been disbanded and is now an Art Centre.
dolcebellezza reminded me that I did actually read 'A Tale of Two Cities' in school and I will always remember the image of the women knitting at the guillotine 'shows'.
You have me gushing too now... I shall stop :-)
Hannah Stoneham - So fantastic:) I have to admit that I don't know the first thing about Chuzzlewit (except that I love the name). I am off to read a summary. Thank you for the suggestion.
Rochester Reader - Do you mean she knits while people are being beheaded? I couldn't even imagine. I think we are inspiring each other because I have decided that Pickwick is next. I think it was your mentioning Wodehouse...he gets me every time:) A read-along would be so ideal...something to think about...maybe for a summer read... Thank you for the link. I am off to check it out now.
Yes! If I remember correctly, it is set during the French Revolution and the beheadings were a public spectacle and many a woman was to be found 'ringside', knitting in hand, enjoying the show - grim! - and this was also the case in real life.
I also forgot to add: on my blog on the top right-hand side (labeled Welcome) is a photo of Dickens' Chalet. It is sited in Rochester now but used to be in his grounds in nearby Higham and it housed his upstairs summer study where he wrote his last novel. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to explore inside :-(
Rochester Reader - Very grim! I didn't know this (my knowledge of French history amounts to what little I learned in high school:( That is too bad one is not allowed inside the chalet. It would be such a thrill to stand in the same room where Dickens wrote. Who am I kidding...I would find it thrilling just to stand outside it:)
And there's the thing about Dickens. If you love him (and I do) even books this big are too short!
Psmith -- This is a terrific book. I read it last year for the first time and had the same reaction you did. I absolutely loved it.
Here is my review on Rose City Reader. Can I add a link to your on my post?
I can't believe that I wasn't following your blog! You were on my blogroll, so I guess I never realized that I hadn't signed up as a follower. I fixed that.
Lisa - Amen! And now that I am looking at his other works, I am obsessed with page counts:)
Rose City Reader - I am stopping by to read your review. So happy to have you following:)
Great Expectations was not my first attempt at reading Dickens, but it was the first I read all the way through. I had not great expectations for the book but it surprised me and I ended up liking it. I enjoyed your review. :) I love it when someone else discovers Dickens. Now... you need to add Bleak House and Little Dorrit to your list. Loved those.
S. Mehrens - Bleak House is definitely on my list but I am not familiar with Little Dorrit, so based on your recommendation I will check it out. I hope to spread out reading his novels over the next few years. Not sure about reading Edwin Drood though as I heard someone saying they were completely heartbroken when they came to the unfinished ending. I am definitely a Dickens convert and wish I had not avoided reading him for so long. Thank you for dropping by...I knew your name looked familiar...your review of Gallico's Mrs. 'Arris got me to read the whole series...loved them!
I'm certainly ready for a reread of Great Expectations this year. Not quite sure when but certainly plan to do it. There are quite a few Dickens I haven't read too, hopefully I may find time for those one day...
Cath - GE is definitely a book to revisit and I know I will at some point in the future. It is one of those books that stays with you...I am still thinking about it. Like you, I have many Dickens to read but it is a question of blocking out so many weeks to read his work leisurely and with full enjoyment.
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