Great Expectations

Great Expectations was written in and published from 1860 to 1861 by Charles Dickens in the All the Year Round. Pip is an orphan boy who was raised near the Kent marshes. He runs into an escaped convict and little to his knowledge his life is changed forever. Pip is sent to meet Miss Havisham and her beautiful girl (Estella), which she raises to destroy men’s hearts just like hers was crushed. Pip is oblivious to what Estella is doing to him and falls in love with her. He will do anything to become acceptable to her including leaving his family behind when great wealth is presented by an anonymous benefactor. Pip thinks that the benefactor is Miss Havisham and that she provided the wealth so he could eventually marry Estella. When he eventually finds out that his sponsor is actually the escaped convict he helped in the marshes he inevitably has to make a decision that could destroy him. So basically the story follows a boy named Pip through his life and all the mistakes he makes.
I loved this book. The sensory language Charles Dickens uses appeals to all your senses. Some people may say the book is over “worded” but I disagree because all the detail helps you to understand the book more deeply. The way Dickens describes and portrays emotions is perfect. His word choice is impeccable and the characters are very personable. The plot was very well planned out and it was easily followed. Overall I would give this book a 10/10!