[titania7]

Originally Posted by Galatea92

Having now read Great Expectations (based on your recommendation here), I concur with your judgement. Five stars with pluses .

Galatea,
I am delighted that you enjoyed the book so much! Isn't Dickens magnificent?? There aren't many novels that I could read at least once each year, but Great Expectations is certainly one of them.

Originally Posted by Galatea92

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.

I absolutely loved that chapter! I'm glad you brought it up, Galatea.

Originally Posted by Galatea

The descriptions of the crowd tormenting Mr Wopsle were so funny, I kept reading them out to my wife (to her annoyance, obviously);

I enjoyed them thoroughly.

Originally Posted by Galatea

2. Pip's searing honesty about his own motives. He's more like a twentieth century anti-hero than your typical Victorian hero;

Yes, I agree. Pip is certainly not the garden variety Victorian hero. His candor is something that, in my opinion, makes him so appealing. We can all relate to someone who is willing to confess their faults. It's those people who try to convince us that they're role models of virtue or goodness that are so difficult to relate to. Don't you agree?

Originally Posted by Galatea

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?

I found myself wondering the same thing, Galatea.

Originally Posted by Galatea

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 haven't seen the David Lean film, unfortunately. However, Dickens was certainly adept at conveying Magwitch's reasons for making Pip into a gentleman in the book.

Originally Posted by Galatea

I can't wait for my next Dicken's novel.

I can't, either. I'm thinking of choosing The Pickwick Papers, based on Lionel's recommendation. I bought a copy of it a little over a month ago, and I have it sitting on my desk, waiting to be read.

I'll look forward to finding out which Dickens novel you choose and to hearing your thoughts on it, Galatea. I hope you'll enjoy it every bit as much as Great Expectations. Although I'm in no way attempting to sway you (I've been accused of that sort of thing before, which is why I'm
clarifying ), I highly recommend Bleak House.

~Titania