The Novels of Charles Dickens: An Introduction by David Timson to Great Expectations

By: David Timson

David Timson talks about Charles Dickens, much loved for his great contribution to classic English Literature. Listen to Great Expectations narrated by Anton Lesser.

In this, perhaps Dickens' most profound and personal novel, we are invited to share in the sentimental education of Pip, the poor boy from the village forge who risks losing himself in snobbery and selfishness when he mysteriously inherits a fortune. The story moves from the bleak Kentish marshes of Pip's childhood to a thrilling climax that mingles tragedy and triumph.

Listen to Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

©2012 Naxos AudioBooks (P)2012 Naxos AudioBooks

Puts modern comedies and media to shame

Here we have sharply etched characters, and this reader squeezes every drop of liveliness and absurditry from the prose. I apprecaie this longer sample to really get a flavor of the full novel. It occurred to me that this has more humor and wit in it than most all of the supposedly funny shows in popular culture since my youth. And amazingly, Dickens apparently was pouring this stuff out in installments. The full book would be like 36 hours of continuous presentation of the best moments of anyone's favorite comedy shows (not forgetting the very tragic aspects too) of the last 50 years.

10 minute intro

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I expected the entire length to be an analysis of the book. It was mostly clips from the book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Invention of Wings