Great Expectations

De: Charles Dickens

Narrado por: Simon Vance

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Simon Vance is a remarkable interpreter

A much more interesting novel than one might recall from high school.
Interesting novel which strides to a great finish in the last several hundred pages.
Simon Vance is a remarkable narrator and brings this novel to life.

Loved it!

A very enthralling and superb tale! I was actually saddened when Pip's story came to a close. We had formed such a bond, from his boyhood days on through. I felt as though I was losing a dear and cherished, yet wiser, friend.

Excellent

This story is an example of what great literature should be like. The narration is wonderful.

Extremely well narrated tragic love story!

55 years later as wonderful a tale in audio as it was in print in my youth. This classic tale of love found at arm's length, lost amongst the tumult of life, fame, fortune and loss finally to be found again many years later when both have learned life's cruel lessons - finally maturing to appreciate what each had lost, but might find anew - cannot but be burned into one's memory as one is drawn ever so deeply into this tale. So incredibly pleased for this wonderful experience. Highly recommended to all!