Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis

Exclusively from Audible

Pip is an orphan, brought up in a village on the Essex marshes by his disagreeable sister and her husband Joe Gargery, the kind-hearted village blacksmith. Life is harsh and Pip has few prospects until he receives from an anonymous benefactor the chance of escaping the forge for a more promising life in London. But his expectations are fraught with difficulties as he is haunted by figures from his past such as the escaped convict Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham, and her proud and beautiful ward, Estella. As he passes from childhood to adulthood he in time discovers his true self.

Powerfully moving, the story is immersed in Dickens's own memories of the past, raising questions about the extent to which individuals affect each other's lives.

Often considered Dickens's best-loved work, Great Expectations features some of his most memorable characters and continues to attract fans of all ages.

Dickens was one of eight children from a very poor family, with his father eventually being sent to debtors' prison. At the age of 12, Dickens had no choice but to start work in order to help clear the family debt. It was this troublesome childhood that provided him with much of the material for his novels and lent him a sympathetic voice for the poor.

Narrator Biography

Martin Jarvis is one of Britain's most admired actors. His audiobook output is legendary. He is described in Vanity Fair as 'the Olivier of audiobooks' and 'genius of the Spoken Word' in the LA Times. Award-winning recordings range from titles by Charles Dickens, P.G. Wodehouse and Michael Frayn to thrillers by Jeffrey Archer, Wilbur Smith, Ian Fleming and Dick Francis. Martin's BBC Just William recordings are worldwide best sellers.

Martin Jarvis has starred in many acclaimed West End and National Theatre productions and received the Theatre World Award as Jeeves on Broadway. Numerous UK television appearances encompass Law & Order, Doctor Who, Endeavour, Inspector Morse and The Forsyte Saga. In America: Murder She Wrote, Numb3rs, Cosmos and Walker, Texas Ranger. Films include Titanic, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Wreck-It Ralph. Videogames: 'Alfred' in Batman, 'Finn McMissile' in Cars.

Martin is invested by HM the Queen as Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Narrators performance brings dickens to life.

Classic literature brought superbly to life by martin jarvis. I'm on a roll with jarvis narrated literature at the moment

Great Story, Well Read

There is a reason it's considered a classic. Enjoyed the story, especially the ending. Narrator did a fantastic job.

amazing performance!

I didn't expect it to be so lively! Martin Jarvis brings the story to life from beginning to end!

Just How Dickens Should Be Read

One of Dickens' better reads, Martin Javis complements it perfectly with his vivid reading style. It's evident he's given careful thought to nuance and characterisation, and it really brings the text to life. Dickens is really very theatrical, and in many ways is so much better read out loud; this is Great Expectations at its best.

Excellent Narration

Martin Jarvis develops the characters with such talent. It was interesting to follow this story.

Outstanding

Any additional comments?

This is one of the greatest works of English literature read with enormous intelligence and understanding by an excellent actor. I had read Dickens as a young man and liked him, but listening to this reading of Great Expectations was a revelation, showing me for the first time how truly great he is. If you only ever listen to one audiobook, this should be the one.

Awesome Narration

Every character has a voice that fits them and each is so different! What a joy it was to listen to this wonderful story read so well!

fantastic classic fantastically performed

loved the story. loved the performance. I don't remember reading this is high school, but I was astonished that the story was as entertaining as it was. listened to it in three days while working. great read.

Dickens' Finest Work!

And narrated by one of the finest performers I've experienced in thirty-plus years of such listening. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

Great Expectations delivered

This is an excellent story and Martin Jarvis does a fantastic job. All of Dickens characters come alive. It was like being in the front row of a play. Best audible book I have heard thus far.