Having now read
Great Expectations (based on your recommendation here), I concur with your judgement. Five stars with pluses
.
Some of the things that really impress me are:
1. The vividness and exuberance of the writing. This is particularly noticeable when he includes scenes that aren't really necessary for the plot, like the rubbish-Hamlet chapter. The descriptions of the crowd tormenting Mr Wopsle were so funny, I kept reading them out to my wife (to her annoyance, obviously);
2. Pip's searing honesty about his own motives. He's more like a twentieth century anti-hero than your typical Victorian hero;
3. Wimmick. Where did he get that character from? And how does he get away with making him so ridiculous and so admirable at the same time?
4. The sympathy with which he makes you understand the kind of life Magwitch has had. I understood why it was so important for Magwitch to make Pip a gentleman - something I never really believed in the David Lean film.
I can't wait for my next Dicken's novel.