I first read this classic at age ten in the sixth grade, and abridged version notwithstanding, I remember being completely enthralled with Estella and Mrs. Havisham, not to mention Pip, of course.
But all these years later, I treated myself to an audio-recording of this great classic read by none other than Hugh Laurie, of Dr. House fame. I cannot praise enough the beauty of the story that has been heightened even more so by the brilliant narration of Mr. Laurie who so effortlessly conveys each and every character from Pip to Provis with nothing short of unreserved brilliance.
And as for the story itself, there is no doubt as to why this is considered a classic novel in English literature, so much so, that I would personally rank it among the top ten in the canon. Provis, aka, Magwitch, Joe, even Mrs. Havisham’s characters are so artfully developed and leave so indelible an impression on one’s mind that it is hard to imagine what goodness undisguised must look like.
Great Expectations exceeds every expectation that one might have ever conceived of in the genre of the novel, and leaves you transformed into a more thoughtful, and hopefully, a better human being.
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