Great Expectations

1861, 1980 Signet Classic edition
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations
Possibly bought newish for $4.50
Somewhat tattered paperback
C+

While David Copperfield is more entertaining than expected, this is less.  The two main plot elements-- bitter Miss Havisham forever trapped on her wedding day, and the criminal Magwitch determined to make Pip a gentleman-- just aren't that interesting.  Nor is Pip's obsessive love for heartless Estella.  Also, while Pip does eventually regret his snubbing of loyal Joe and Biddy, it's not pleasant to read about.  As for Pip's abusive sister, well!  Martin Chuzzlewit has many unpleasant characters, but even the murderer is more intriguing there.  Just about the only people I enjoyed in this story were Wemmick and his Aged P (Parent).  All that said, it's not a bad book, just an over-rated one, and I'm puzzled why they assigned it in my high school almost thirty years ago.  David Copperfield has a much more accessible style and would've given us more to talk about.