A Review By Keith Smith
I chose to read this book again , one of Dicken’s greatest, because it is in a superb hardback edition for only £12.99, and I wanted to see what it was like. I can’t tell you what a pleasure it was…beautiful cover, a delight to pick up each time, wonderfully crisp and clear text, tightly bound, great introduction and notes and even a map, everything you could want in fact for sheer reading pleasure. You really really can’t beat a good hardback book for a special reading experience, and what good value too.
Anyhow, did I enjoy the novel itself? Of course I did. It is a long time since I have read any Dickens and I had forgotten what a master he is. A master of detailed descriptions, of creating atmosphere, of splendid use of adjectives and nouns which he piles on to great effect. And the plot carries you along at a rattle and a roll. Apart from which it is a thoughtful read, asking us at all instances to examine our morality and make judgements.
Who can forget the opening?…”at such a time I found out for certain, that this bleak place overgrown with nettles, was the churchyard; and that PhilipPirrip, late of this parish, and also Georgiana wife of the above, were dead and buried; and that Alexander, Bartholomew, Abraham, Tobias and Roger, infant children of the aforesaid, were also dead and buried; and that the dark flat wilderness beyond the churchyard, intersected with dykes and mounds and gates, with scattered cattle feeding on it, was the marshes; and that the low leaden line beyond, was the river; and that the distant savage lair from which the wind was rushing, was the sea; and that the small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all and beginning to cry, was Pip.
“Hold your noise!” cried a terrible voice, as a man started up from among the graves at the side of the church porch. “Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat!”
Who wouldn’t want to read on?! And be chilled to the bone by the gloomy marshland, or made to feel dirty in the grime and noisesome filth of London itself………..
If you too have not read Dickens for a while, and fancy a great tale of character, hope and expectation, read this….. but not in the flimsy Penguin paperback. treat yourself to this hardback …you won’t regret it.
