Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 17 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Classic, 2009

Considered by many to be Charles Dickens's finest novel, Great Expectations traces the growth of the book's narrator, the orphan Philip Pirrip (Pip), from a boy of shallow dreams to a man with depth of character.

From its famous dramatic opening on the bleak Kentish marshes, the story abounds with some of Dickens's most memorable characters. Among them are the kindly blacksmith Joe Gargery, the mysterious convict Abel Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham and her beautiful ward Estella, Pip's good-hearted roommate Herbert Pocket, and the pompous Pumblechook.

As Pip unravels the truth behind his own "great expectations" in his quest to become a gentleman, the mysteries of the past and the convolutions of fate through a series of thrilling adventures serve to steer him toward maturity and his most important discovery of all - the truth about himself.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The most perfectly constructed and perfectly written of all Dickens's works." (Edgar H. Johnson, Dickens' biographer)

Moving narration of a wonderful tale

I was so engaged by Simon Vance’s narration, that the minute I I finished this Audible, I began again immediately!

Great time of reading

I didn't remember much of this from high school; however, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narration was fantastic and the change of voice for each character made it very easy to follow the story line.

Different times but common problems

If you are a Simon Vance narration fan this book won't disappoint. He does a great job and brings an old tail to life. The book is a tail of rags to riches and the morrel and social issues that are encountered along the way. It is an interesting exploration of the trials of friendship and loyalty. I'm sure that I'll return to this book on rainy weekends.

Classic

Simon Did an excellent job. of course Dickens will present the classic. The story is timeless and brings the bitter sweet remembrances of Youthful truth, to this old man's heart.

Great narration and easy to listen to.

I chose this book based on all the high recommendations. It wasn't bad. The narrator was great, and the story was easy to follow. The author is famous for a reason. The storytelling paints a vivid picture and the drama is captivating.

A Dickensian Masterpiece, Adequately Read

Simon Vance does an OK job overall reading this great novel, but why don't the audiobook producers edit out glaring misreadings and mispronunciations? In the case of this reading, within the first few minutes, Vance ruins the mood with unintentional humor by having the menacing convict snarl at Pip, " Hold your NOSE!" [sic!]--instead of the real exclamation "Hold your NOISE!" (that is, Be quiet!, Shut up!). Did the producers never read Dickens's novel? Did they not care about Vance's gaffe or hope the listeners would not notice? Cannot modern sound recordings be edited? Did the publishers release the audiobook without first listening to it? It is always a bit disconcerting to be slapped in the face by the fact that actors interpreting works of genius (or even just characters who are supposed to be well-educated) really don't understand the words they are speaking.

Well done and a great benefit

This has always been a book I SHOULD have read, but never did. Simon Vance's reading was compelling and clear. It is easier for me, at this point in my life to listen to books (while driving or flying) and this is a great way for me to access the classics.

It was read too quickly for me.

The story was great, but I felt like we were racing to the finish line. I often had to go back and listen again.

A Classic Masterpiece

Charles Dickens... what a master! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So well written , entertaining and engaging . Definitely a full 5 star classic! Anyone who reads this Dickens and doesn’t understand why he is considered a literary genius needs to seriously evaluate their appreciation for this form of art. It truly says something when a work can literally stand over 150 years later after its original publication date and still be so highly regarded. Not only was their depth to this novel, but it was funny and sad as well. Truly wonderful. I listened to the audio version of this book and Simon Vance did wonderful job. Excellent narration of an excellent story!

May be the greatest novel in the English language

This is probably Dickens's greatest work -- devoid of the cloying sentimentality that gums up so many of his other novels. The many characters are individuated and the multiple plots, so skillfully intertwined, keep you listening until they resolve. There is not a false note in this book.

The story begins with the terrifying encounter between Pip, a frightened orphan boy, and Magwich, a desperate escaped convict. Without Pip realizing it, Magwich becomes the mechanism, by which Pip may be able to realize his dreams of escaping his lowly marshland village and becoming a gentleman. As we watch Pip mature, we see his relationship with Magwich develop and our sympathies toward Magwich change as do those of Pip,

The novel can be seen as a meditation on love -- something that Dickens was less than successful at in his real life. In the end we see that those who love, even though they may be deeply hurt, are far luckier than those who cannot, like the beautiful Estella, the bitter Miss Havisham, and the secretive lawyer, Jaggers.

As ever, Simon Vance brings this novel and its many characters to life. I wanted to find out what happened to the characters in this book, but I was sorry to have completed it. Listening to it was such a great source of pleasure.