Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

I can call myself a fan of Charles Dickens . Ever since I've read David Copperfield I find his style of writing adorable . Despite the varied criticism which he has received regarding the pessimism and cynicism in his books I find his writing extremely charming . This book has the protagonist (Pip) writing in first person and describing his life from childhood to adulthood . He is born an orphan and raised by his shrew of a sister who is 20 years older than him . The only person in whose company he finds solace in is his sister's husband Joe who is a blacksmith , who cares for Pip . One day he is called by a Miss Havisham who is the richest person in that countryside for the purpose of entertaining her . Seeing Miss havisham's beautiful yet arrogant daughter Estella Pip feels a burning desire to prove himself to be gentleman so that he can be worthy of her and not cringe with shame at the sight of her . He wants to be something more than just an apprentice to a blacksmith in his life . As good fortune would have it , he suddenly discovers that he is being adopted by a mysterious guardian who wants to send him to London to learn the nuances of becoming a gentleman . Obviously Pip's happiness know no bounds and he is whisked off to London . From here the story unfolds into Pip's experiences in London which is dominated by a society which believes in judging people only by the money which they have and care nothing about the value of character or integrity in a person . The story goes on to take dramatic turns in characteristic Charles Dickens style .
I would recommend people to read this book not for the story line , not for the characterization but the wonderful way in which Dickens has described Old England . For if you have grown to love England the way I have through the countless Enid blytons and other British novels then you will enjoy Dickens describing the countryside , the marshes , the dirty streets of London immensely just as I have . The book has so been named because of what expectations people have of Pip and how he tries or fails to keep up to their great expectations . Read it if you are a Charles Dicken's fan , read it if you liked his previous novels like David copperfield for there are many similarities . And last of all read it if you love Old Britain like I do !!!