I found an old copy of Great Expectations (pictured below) and started reading. I had seen the 1998 film adaptation of the book (starring Gywenth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke), so I was somewhat familiar the characters and plot; but, as is often the case, the book was so much more than the movie. That said, the tenor and sensuality of the 1998 movie version was on point and grounded in the themes of the book, if not the particular facts of the novel.
As I read, I found myself being drawn to the main character, Pip. He reflected many human characteristics that are so familiar, yet often not portrayed in typical pop culture heroes: the hidden shame for close friends and family (Joe), and the accompanying shame from feeling the shame, desire for someone that doesn't desire you and even mistreats you (Estella), and the lack of desire for what you know you should want (Biddy), and unhappiness upon receiving what you wanted.
I also enjoyed the rich, complex characters in the novel, and the slow unfolding of the mystery surrounding Pip's unexpected expectations. I also enjoyed, and laughed out loud, while reading, which is always a good sign! These points of laughter covered the spectrum of scenes from the trials and joys of caring for an aging parent (Wemmick) to scenes that demonstrated human experience between young men venturing into the world together, going into debt along the way (Pip and Herbert). Other humorous scenes included the marital stress and bumbling success of the Pocket family (complete with father pulling at his hair as an act of OCD, though Dickens wouldn't have known that label yet!). The interactions and enigmatic, quirky life of Miss Havisham and Estella were also interesting, and darkly humorous. I also related to Herbert and Pip when they join the Finches of the Grove men's club, and busy themselves with tabulating their debts and trying to make a plan to get out of debt, all the while doing nothing tangible to change anything. Their play-acting as businessmen and serious adults is as relevant now as then.
Another aspect that I enjoyed were the scenes of dialogue between characters, and Pip's inner monologues. This is where Dickens offers poignant insights into life. Many quotable lines in this regard, and Dickens himself can be heard shouting across the centuries.
I found the ending satisfying, not exactly Hollywood, but offering signs of hope. I was grateful that Joe had his day, and Pip found his peace. The novel gave me a sense that we should expect to experience joy in our life, and accepting this within the conditions in which we find ourselves is part of the path to experiencing our own great expectations.
Epicness: 23.5: This is Dickens, after all, and I felt like I was in the hands of a master.
Enjoyability: 22.5: The novel read a bit like a mystery, a romance, and a piece of serious literature, and it worked.
Eloquence: 22.5: In particular, the dialogue and the quotes of some of the characters. I enjoyed 'listening' to the British accents in my head as Pip visited people from the different classes.
Exploration of the Human Condition: 23: I related easily to Pip, and found in Miss Havisham, Estella, Joe, and in so many other characters people that I have met in life, all represented and given expression in this 100-year-old novel.
Epic Quest Total Score: 91.5
