Philip Pirrip meets an escaped convict on the moors, and an unbelievable chain of events begins to occur. With themes of social mobility, uncertain parentage and unrequited love, Great Expectations is a perfect introduction to Dickens.

Philip Pirrip meets an escaped convict on the moors, and an unbelievable chain of events begins to occur. With themes of social mobility, uncertain parentage and unrequited love, Great Expectations is a perfect introduction to Dickens.

The first Dickens story I was ever exposed to was this one (through the medium of David Lean's magnificent film). I was scared, moved, entertained and seven years old. The impression it made on me was so great that it began a lifetime of reading the works of Charles Dickens . I have read this book many times and intend to go on reading it at intervals. It never stales, always reveals something new. This is most people's favourite Dickens and I think that is because it is a great human story told with all the colours, shades and warmth that Dickens at his best is capable of delivering. I am always at a loss when anyone asks me what my favourite Dickens is (and most times the answer is Our Mutual Friend) but I have worn out more copies of this book than any of the others so perhaps that says all we need to know.

An awesome read. At once humorous, tearful, gut-wrenching and terrifying. A faultless plot-line glittering with some of literature's most famous characters. If you've not yet sat down and read this novel in full then delay no further. Simply one of the best novels in english literature.

Took a while to engage the old English phraseology but once I got in the swing it was an excellent read & needed that style of writing to make it work. Now deciding on my next one.