Author: Charles Dickens
Published: 1861
Rating: 5/5

Why should I read this book?

Full disclosure: This is the first full work of Charles Dickens that I have ever read.  

(And I call myself a bookworm.  The shame.)

I honestly can’t believe I didn’t want to read this book when I received it as a gift a few years ago.  Yes, the words are difficult, the plot is complicated, and the hero is really an anti-hero, but those aren’t bad things.  All those components just serve to make this book endlessly fascinating.  I was captivated by Dickens’ well-developed characters, social commentary, and comic genius.  (I would like to emphasize the comic genius part — I literally laughed out loud several times while reading.)

I enjoyed reading this book so much that I now own two copies.  Also, I think I’d like to marry Herbert Pocket.

Recommended for people who like: dry humor, bromances, Victorian England

There have been tons of movie adaptations of this book, but I found the characters and descriptions to be so strong that I didn’t want other people’s images to conflict with mine.  Therefore, I refuse to watch Great Expectations.

There is, however, a fantastic song by The Gaslight Anthem entitled “Great Expectations” that makes references to the book.

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