Great Expectations

“My father's family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip.” Charles Dickens’ great autobiographical novel of social criticism, Great Expectations, follows the career of the orphan, Pip, as he negotiates his way through life in his quest for moral, social and educational advancement. Beginning on Christmas Eve 1812, when he is about seven years old, Pip tells his story and takes the reader on a dizzying ride through the worlds of crime, social class, empire and ambition of nineteenth century England. Pip has great expectations about his future, particularly when he believes that he will become a gentleman of property. His ambitious nature motivates both his best and worst behavior. This wonderful tale of personal growth is as relevant now as when it first appeared in serial form, and every bit as entertaining!

An absorbing mystery as well as a morality tale, the story of Pip, a poor village lad, and his expectations of wealth is Dickens at his most deliciously readable. The cast of characters includes kindly Joe Gargery, the loyal convict Abel Magwitch and the haunting Miss Havisham. If you have heartstrings, count on them being tugged.