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Great Expectations cover art

Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Summary

One of the most revered works in English literature, Great Expectations traces the coming of age of a young orphan, Pip, from a boy of shallow aspirations into a man of maturity. From the chilling opening confrontation with an escaped convict to the grand but eerily disheveled estate of bitter old Miss Havisham, all is not what it seems in Dickens’ dark tale of false illusions and thwarted desire.

Raised by a humble blacksmith, Pip is recruited by the wealthy Miss Havisham to be a companion to her ward, the cold but beautiful Estella. There, Pip learns to despise his rough origins as Estella torments him about his low prospects. When Pip is informed that an unknown benefactor expects to make him his heir, he sets off to London to realize his “great expectations.” But true gentleman stature, he will find, is a matter of character, not fortune.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Observe how finely the narrative is kept in one key. It begins with a mournful impression—the foggy marshes spreading drearily by the seaward Thames—and throughout recurs this effect of cold and damp and dreariness; in that kind Dickens never did anything so good…No story in the first person was ever better told.” (George Gissing, English novelist)

What listeners say about Great Expectations

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A Great Expectations achieved.

A beautiful work about wanting what you have not, and ignoring what you have. A great story of love in all it’s forms and friendship, the healing of time, and the lessons time deals by a master of the English language. You can get lost in the story the period and all the nuances of that society.
I like the first edition ending but most good editions will make both available to the reader
and so it is in this first class narration.

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5 people found this helpful

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Difficult to stop listening to it

Would you consider the audio edition of Great Expectations to be better than the print version?

Cannot remember if I've read the book, but the narrator enhanced the enjoyment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe, because he was a really nice, dependable chap.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

Excellent!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

More than one. Caused tears when finished listening to the whole book.

Any additional comments?

Narrator got into the soul of each character.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A tragic and lovely story about growing up

What did you like best about this story?

How supportive the blacksmith was to Pip, he did everything and a little more just like any great father would.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I dont think that would work since you would need 4-5 different actors to play some of the characters.

Any additional comments?

A great story about a boy growing up, realizing that if you are given everything the drive to improve is easily lost. About love, heartbreak and friendship

Overall a great book and a great story

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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really enjoyable classic

If you could sum up Great Expectations in three words, what would they be?

entertaining, brilliantly narrated

Any additional comments?

I've never read this book, as I thought it would be long and boring, but I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and found it funny, brilliantly observed and expertly narrated. Would highly recommend

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3 people found this helpful

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A classic but not that gripping!

listed to this as I feel it is lacking from my education! pleased to have done so but it has taken me some time! Narrative was very good!

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Perfection

Beautifully read and utterly engrossing. Will definitely be listening to more Simon Prebble doing Dickens.

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Classic.!

Wonderful Dickens story. Well read and great just to listen to. Just close your eyes and imagine...

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Simply Superb

I love Dickens ever since once of my English Literature teachers at school made his characters jump out of the page before my very eyes. Great Expectations however has always held a soft spot for me. So it was after reading one of the reviews on this rendition I decided to pick this one. I am so glad I did. Simon Prebble's performance is stellar. His rendition is beyond amazing, his characterisation brings out every facet of each of the characters so completely; that I had to listen to this book again and again so much did I enjoy it and find something I had not discovered before in every round of listening. I would imagine that if Charles Dickens were alive and able to hear this man reading this book with that warmth, characterisation and gentle emotion in his voice, I am sure he would eyes would well up in tears of pride more than a few times.
--Well worth the listen if you like Dickens and you will be listening to this programme many more times over the years if you appreciate the style of this most consummate performer.

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Better than the TV version

Great Expectations were met on the whole.
Easy listening. Easier than trying to read the book.

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Captivating

Great story, the narrator really brings the characters to life. Got lost in it for hours out on Dartmoor on my bike

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