Great Expectations

Pas de couverture — Charles Dickens: Great Expectations (Paperback, 1970, Washington Square Press)

mass market paperback

Langue : English

Publié 25 mai 1970 par Washington Square Press.

ISBN :: 978-0-671-46264-2

(1 critique)

To the serious general reader or the student in class, this exciting new series will bring an increased under- standing and enjoyment of great books—old and new— and opportunities to develop and practice personal skills. This is made possible by adding specially pre- pared SUPPLEMENTS to the complete and unedited original texts.

Part one of each SUPPLEMENT is concerned with the life and purposes of the author the historical background features of the author's style analyses of the book's characters

Part two of each SUPPLEMENT provides instruction and testing designed to expand the reader's knowledge of the basic factors of language arts (word origins, increased vocabulary, literary analysis, etc.) and to further his practical skills (spelling, composition, book reports, reading comprehension and speed, etc.)

With the help of the SUPPLEMENTS in the Reader's Enrichment Series, the experience of reading great books can be more deeply satisfying and more directly rewarding.

117 éditions

Sìne a publié une critique de Great Expectations par Charles Dickens

A good coming of age novel

4 étoiles

I'm enjoying my new tradition of reading a Charles Dickens novel in the runup to Christmas. I've watched several film and TV adaptations of his works over the years, but had been put off attempting the novels themselves by their length and the density if Dickens prose. As it turns out though, his vivid characterisations and melodramatic plots do suit my reading style pretty well. I'm not sure I would want to attempt more than one a year, but at that level of engagement the books are enjoyable and should last me a good decade yet. My choice for this year, Great Expectations, features the unexpected and exciting events of a Christmas Day for young Pip near the beginning of the novel so put me into a seasonal spirit!

I had only a vague recollection of watching a black and white Great Expectations film as a child (probably the 1946 …

I'm enjoying my new tradition of reading a Charles Dickens novel in the runup to Christmas. I've watched several film and TV adaptations of his works over the years, but had been put off attempting the novels themselves by their length and the density if Dickens prose. As it turns out though, his vivid characterisations and melodramatic plots do suit my reading style pretty well. I'm not sure I would want to attempt more than one a year, but at that level of engagement the books are enjoyable and should last me a good decade yet. My choice for this year, Great Expectations, features the unexpected and exciting events of a Christmas Day for young Pip near the beginning of the novel so put me into a seasonal spirit!

I had only a vague recollection of watching a black and white Great Expectations film as a child (probably the 1946 one rerun on Sunday afternoon TV) so remembered images of scary Magwitch on the misty marshes, and bizarre Miss Havisham in her wedding dress. However very little of the actual plotline remained in my mind so the story I thought I would encounter was strikingly different to the one I have just read. This was a little confusing at times, but made for a better reading experience because I really didn't know what would happen next. I was struck by the number of convenient coincidences that drove the narrative, several of which raised my eyebrows, however I cannot fault Dickens' portrayal of memorable characters and distinctive settings.

Pip himself is an irritating little so-and-so, even more so once he begins to realise his Expectations, and Dickens' patronising attitude towards women did grate on me from time to time. Those aspects aside though, I loved Wemmick's Castle and our glimpses of his life there with Aged Parent. Pumblechook is fun too and I felt sorry for both Estella and Miss Havisham. I could picture lots of the London settings as well as the bleak marshes and I frequently chuckled at Dickens' mentions of etiquette and behaviours. He had a great talent for slipping sharply observed detail into scenes. If only he could have held back on his sentimental speechifying! Overall though, Great Expectations is a good coming of age novel that I felt has stood the test of time exceptionally well.