Genre: Fiction, Romance, Drama, Classics
I read this book long back…it was prescribed in my course. Years might have passed, but the story left an indelible mark on my mind. The story, in classic Dickens’ mode is grim, dark and layered with an oppressive setting.
One fine day Joe takes a very young Pip to the village’s palatial manor, Satis House, an old dilapidated building, that was occupied by an elderly lady Miss Havisham. Miss Havisham’s character is a dark, mysterious one. She lives in her old manor which speaks of grandeur, but is in a state of decay. It is here, that Pip meets the one girl, who forever changes his life, Estella, who is as young as Pip. Childhood crush or love at first sight, Pip falls head over heels for the beautiful Estella, who in turn treats Pip with scorn & cynicism. Miss Havisham however enjoys this game, & encourages both to fall in love with each other. While Pip is already in love, Estella maintains a cool restraint from his advances.
Years pass & Pip is mysteriously asked to come over to London, as he has found a new benefactor, & he is supposed to study to become a real gentleman. After completing his studies, & assuming that his benefactor is Miss Havisham, Pip returns to his village, & to Satis House to find an even more beautiful Estella, back herself from her studies abroad. Both start meeting again, & Pip proposes, only to be rudely spurned by Estella, who wishes to marry a society man instead. Pip is heartbroken & angry at being led on for so many years & then spurned….and the story progresses further & further into a web of mystique, lies, betrayal & surprising discoveries.
I read this book long back…it was prescribed in my course. Years might have passed, but the story left an indelible mark on my mind. The story, in classic Dickens’ mode is grim, dark and layered with an oppressive setting.
This is the story of Pip, an orphan living in a small
village in Victorian England. Pip lives with his sister & her husband. His
sister, a bad tempered, coarse woman, occasionally flogs Pip & is
constantly in a bad mood with her husband, Joe Gargery, who despite his humble
settings, is a gentle & grounded man.
One fine day Joe takes a very young Pip to the village’s palatial manor, Satis House, an old dilapidated building, that was occupied by an elderly lady Miss Havisham. Miss Havisham’s character is a dark, mysterious one. She lives in her old manor which speaks of grandeur, but is in a state of decay. It is here, that Pip meets the one girl, who forever changes his life, Estella, who is as young as Pip. Childhood crush or love at first sight, Pip falls head over heels for the beautiful Estella, who in turn treats Pip with scorn & cynicism. Miss Havisham however enjoys this game, & encourages both to fall in love with each other. While Pip is already in love, Estella maintains a cool restraint from his advances.
Years pass & Pip is mysteriously asked to come over to London, as he has found a new benefactor, & he is supposed to study to become a real gentleman. After completing his studies, & assuming that his benefactor is Miss Havisham, Pip returns to his village, & to Satis House to find an even more beautiful Estella, back herself from her studies abroad. Both start meeting again, & Pip proposes, only to be rudely spurned by Estella, who wishes to marry a society man instead. Pip is heartbroken & angry at being led on for so many years & then spurned….and the story progresses further & further into a web of mystique, lies, betrayal & surprising discoveries.
From the very beginning, the book screams Symbolism. The
village, where Pip lives; the very first chapter of the book, where Pip helps a
convict in his escape; Miss Havisham & Satis House…all bring together
elements of darkness & oppression. Despite this dark setting, Great Expectations,
is a great romance. There is something about Pip & Estella’s relationship
that is relatable on some level; the brimming romance under the cover of cool
distance or Estella’s whole character, speaks of mystique. It is a romance like
no other, & at times, it seems is it really a romance…but it is definitely
way beyond the understanding of boy meets girl. Although Estella remains
impassive to Pip’s advances on the face of things, you can feel her pain too
when you feel Pip’s very apparent pain on his unrequited love.
The Satis House defines Miss Havisham…it seems like the
house has a persona of its own that not only engulfs those who live in it, but
also engulfs Dickens’ thoughts while penning this story.
Years ago, it was a beautiful read, even today it is the
same. That explains why 16 films have been made on the novel spanning from 1917
to 2012, the most notable one I remember is Ethane Hawkes & Gwyneth
Paltrow’s 1998 film, that is set in contemporary New York instead. Latest is
Bollywood aiming the story, that is being helmed by Rock On & Kai Po Che
director Abhishek Kapoor.
TIP: Although it’s a classic & can be read anytime…a
recommended read would be hill-station vacation where the life of this
Victorian romance will come alive. This is not your classic Boy meets Girl
romance, it is dark and real and requires a quiet setting. The book is an easy
read & can be finished in 2-3 days easily.
Free e Books are available on Playstore & Kindle.
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