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Great Expectations

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Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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About this listen

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. Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Romance England

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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)
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I think I appreciated it even more this time, knowing how well it reflects the ways and historical context of the time.

personally I find Dickens to be our greatest writer of all time.

Over 40 years since I last read this.

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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.

Difficult to stop listening to it

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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!

A classic but not that gripping!

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I can't believe that I've only just discovered Charles Dickens. I thoroughly enjoyed Great Expectations, the themes within the book are still relevant today in the 21st century. I was gripped frim beginning to end. I've just bought A Christmas Carol, can't wait to get started. Highly recommended!

Wonderful

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

Better than the TV version

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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.

Simply Superb

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

Captivating

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I’ve never gotten round to reading this book and I saw it was on audible and I thought perfect!
And it was! The performance was great!
I really enjoyed this book!

Brilliant performance

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

Perfection

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Dickens is always perfect for audible. Few writers lend themselves so well to performance and, of course, Dickens did many public readings of his own works. Prebble reads beautifully and the story is as moving, funny and thought provoking as ever. It's a novel for every stage of life and is always worth revisiting. This is a great way to do so.

Outstanding reading of one of the greatest novels.

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