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Great Expectations  By  cover art

Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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Publisher's 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)

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What listeners say about Great Expectations

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One of the best pieces of literature

The reader has a superb voice that conveys the mood of the story fully. The story starts slowly but picks up in pace till your on the edge of your seat waiting for the next big twist the author has composed.

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Narration shines

A delightful performance by the narrator who voice characterizations always felt spot on. The story is good but a little predictable.

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Readerly Expectations Fulfilled

Prebble delivers an excellent dramatic reading of Duxkens' complex, important, and compelling novel. Strongly recommended.

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One of the great listening experiences of my life.

I now understand why Dickens is buried in Westminster Abbey, and why this is regarded among his greatest works. So full of color and texture and wit and pathos and soul. The final two chapters had me in tears. And of course Simon Prebble's reading and characterization are masterful. It was one of the great novel reading (i.e., listening) experiences of my life.

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Fantastic narrator

This book was read by the best narrator I’ve ever heard. I will look for other classics narrated by him.

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A wonderful classic....

A colourful depiction of mid 19th century London and a young man's struggle to become a gentleman. Epic classic with authentic English and timeless questions on morality. In the end good prevails but not without cost and unforseen turns...

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Listen AND read

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book on my Paperwhite Kindle as I listened to the Audible version!

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A Great Work!

The ending was quite ambiguous! I loved the book as a whole, and is one of the best books I've read/listened to!

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Perfect

Need I say, beautifully written...and equally beautifully narrated by Simon Prebble.
The book came to life with his interpretation!

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1st Audio Book Listen

A well done performance. A classic performed as one would expect a classic to be. As it is my first listen, I have nothing else to compare it to. There were no faults and it was a very enjoyable, easy listen.

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