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Great Expectations
- Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
- Length: 17 hrs and 32 mins
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Great Expectations
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Summary
Exclusively from Audible
Pip is an orphan, brought up in a village on the Essex marshes by his disagreeable sister and her husband Joe Gargery, the kind-hearted village blacksmith. Life is harsh and Pip has few prospects until he receives from an anonymous benefactor the chance of escaping the forge for a more promising life in London. But his expectations are fraught with difficulties as he is haunted by figures from his past such as the escaped convict Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham, and her proud and beautiful ward, Estella. As he passes from childhood to adulthood he in time discovers his true self.
Powerfully moving, the story is immersed in Dickens's own memories of the past, raising questions about the extent to which individuals affect each other's lives.
Often considered Dickens's best-loved work, Great Expectations features some of his most memorable characters and continues to attract fans of all ages.
Dickens was one of eight children from a very poor family, with his father eventually being sent to debtors' prison. At the age of 12, Dickens had no choice but to start work in order to help clear the family debt. It was this troublesome childhood that provided him with much of the material for his novels and lent him a sympathetic voice for the poor.
Narrator Biography
Martin Jarvis is one of Britain's most admired actors. His audiobook output is legendary. He is described in Vanity Fair as 'the Olivier of audiobooks' and 'genius of the Spoken Word' in the LA Times. Award-winning recordings range from titles by Charles Dickens, P.G. Wodehouse and Michael Frayn to thrillers by Jeffrey Archer, Wilbur Smith, Ian Fleming and Dick Francis. Martin's BBC Just William recordings are worldwide best sellers.
Martin Jarvis has starred in many acclaimed West End and National Theatre productions and received the Theatre World Award as Jeeves on Broadway. Numerous UK television appearances encompass Law & Order, Doctor Who, Endeavour, Inspector Morse and The Forsyte Saga. In America: Murder She Wrote, Numb3rs, Cosmos and Walker, Texas Ranger. Films include Titanic, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Wreck-It Ralph. Videogames: 'Alfred' in Batman, 'Finn McMissile' in Cars.
Martin is invested by HM the Queen as Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE).
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What listeners say about Great Expectations
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Isobel Wilkinson
- 02-07-20
wonderful story and beautifully written
Charles Dickens writes so beautifully. It is storytelling like no other. Loved it, thank you
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DMM
- 27-03-19
All expectations exceeded!
Absolutely brilliant. This book is beautifully written and the performance by Martin Jarvis, as always, completely outstanding!
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- Happy Hubby
- 27-01-21
Superb story and narration!
Many years ago I had to study this book in GCE O Level English Literature and for me then, as a 16 year old boy, it was a total waste of time. The book felt irrelevant and impenetrable. So I approached this version with some trepidation, hoping that Martin Jarvis, who I know from brilliantly performing Just William, might make it worthwhile.
Well, he nailed it! He brought Dickens alive! His delivery, interpretation of characters all made the book a joy not a drudge, particularly aiding understanding of some dialogues that might be less clear nowdays than Dickens's time purely because language has changed and we live in a different context. I now appreciate why Dickens is held as Britain's greatest novelist. He sucks you into a plot that twists, turns and surprises; has you cringing then laughing then crying. Phew!
Thank you Mr Jarvis and Audible, I am now a massive fan of Dickens and will be continuing on a journey further into his world.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gwilym Thomas
- 05-11-18
Exactly as I'd have wished it read
I love Dickens and i love this story so I was always predisposed towards giving this a good review. Nevertheless, this version absolutely deserves it. Martin Jarvis's narration suits the story perfectly. I especially enjoyed his characterisations from the Aged to a Mick Jaggeresque Trabb's Boy. Well worth listening to.
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- Mr
- 20-06-16
Spectacular performance of a fantastic book
Superb. A truly exemplary reading of a gripping, witty and poignant novel - a real classic. Couldn't recommend highly enough!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Katy Skelton
- 02-10-17
best narration ever
absolutely loved it. Martin Jarvis is exceptional and I didn't want it to end. x
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- Frank O'Connor
- 20-08-17
Excellent audio book
I always found it hard to read Dickens books but listening to the audio book was both very entertaining and enjoyable. Jarvis is an excellent reader
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rusly
- 01-12-15
Amazing
What made the experience of listening to Great Expectations the most enjoyable?
My friend and I listen to this book together on the while travelling in the country side. It was a delight. Amazing story, and spectacular interpretation by Martin Jarvis.
Although many of the characters in this story are stereotypes, this makes them no less effective in telling the story. Charles Dickens is universally regarded as one of the greatest novelists who ever wrote in the English language, if not any language, and Great Expectations is considered, along with Bleak House, to be his best. Many of the characters are typical Dickens: quick sketches with colorfully descriptive names, representing a particular position and/or attitude. The adult characters include Magwitch, the terrifying escaped criminal who sets Pip's adventures in motion, the insane Miss Havisham, the greedy Pumblechook, and the complex and contradictory Wemmick -- in other words, a credible cross-section of adult personalities.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Magwitch
What does Martin Jarvis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Life
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Definitely
Any additional comments?
I want to listen to more books read by Martin
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- BennySaysRelax
- 28-11-16
Surprised
I was surprised how good the narration was considering the price was discounted. Whatever the cost, it's worth it. The narrator even developed an adult version of the boys voice for later in the book. Excellent all rounder. As far as the rest of it goes, it's Charles Dickens!!!!!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- johnnycbs
- 19-02-18
A classic novel, superbly presented, a must read!
This is a classic novel, by an incomparable author, that is a must read. Everyone should know this story, and the way it is superbly presented makes it memorable and easy to enjoy.
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