Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 18 hrs and 32 mins

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)

i loved it.

it was a true adventure for my mind. Pip's ups and downs will remind us of most people's lives.

Redemption wihout the Erasure of 'Sin'

Great Expectations is a kaleidoscope of images; emotions, people, places. No other author can render atmosphere into words like Charles Dickens. That Great Expectations is a brillant work is unquestionable. It must be read.

I find Great Expectations to be the saddest of Dickens works - at least from the perspective of the narrator (Pip) and certainly Estella. This is the novel where Dickens provides the means for redemption but never the means to remove the blemish of wrongdoing or 'sin'. I think Charles Dickens believed that "what is done is done" and there is no going back to alter the outcome, good or bad. This theme is reflected wihthin and by all of the characters in Great Expectations.

VERY Great Expectations

So, I actually had this book assigned to me by my school, and it was a very slow, tiresome read (although the plot was phenomenal). However, once I tried Audible with this book, the story came to life, and (unlike most books) I was able to spend hours on end. Also, the voice acting done by Simon Prebble was outstanding, and I especially like the voices done for Bill Barley, Jaggers, and Pumblechook. The narration really reflects their character.

Beyond superlative

This recording is a monument to what this kind of reading can achieve. Simply exquisite from start to end. The text, to begin with, is the summit of Victorian literature, with its time-suggested flaws, and it’s timeless virtues. It is deeply, unabashedly, moving and sentimental, and offers some of the most extraordinary prose in the English language. But on top of that, this reading brings out every nuance in the text. I would imagine this is as close to Dickens’ own performances as we will ever hear. Literally, just as good as it gets.

Great expectations

Its considered a classic. Not sure it deserves that title. Dickens I would hope has written more deserving novels.

Remarkable as Joe said!

I enjoyed this story so much that I listened to it about four times, I read it along and made it more interesting.

why, oh, why did I wait so long to read Dickens?

this is my first foray into Dickens aside from A Christmas Carol. so good! I couldn't put it down, but also dreaded running out of the story. if you're worried about it being stodgy or having antiquated language or setting, please don't fret. if anything, you'll be amazed at how similar the 1860s are to the 2020s. the narrator is excellent, too.

Exceeds Expectations

I have always wanted to read this book but figured that I would struggle getting through Charles Dickens and wouldn’t finish. This audiobook was excellently performed and helped create an engaging story. This book has so many plot twists and builds a great story in your mind. Highly recommend!

Great Performance of a classic!

I sometimes find high-brow victorian literature to be a little to slow and heavy, including Dickens, but 'Expectations' is a clear exception. I loved it. Simon Prebble's performance was captivating.

great book

A classic! Great story well read. it was easy to listen to, and very engaging.