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Cover of Great Expectations
Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens
Aggregate Editorial Score51/100
Guardian 100 Best NovelsBBC Big Read
Published 1861482 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Great Expectations (1861) by Charles Dickens continues to receive. Pip, a poor blacksmith's apprentice, receives a mysterious fortune and pursues his gentlemanly ambitions and the cold, beautiful Estella, learning painful lessons about class, love, and the true nature of a gentleman. Dickens's most perfectly constructed novel. Themes of class, love, ambition run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1861 and BBC Big Read 1861.

Book Details

AuthorCharles Dickens
Published1861
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages482
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780141439563
Editorial Score51/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United Kingdom →

Editorial Assessment

Charles Dickens published Great Expectations in 1861, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United Kingdom. The book's treatment of class, love, ambition, identity accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed Great Expectations among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1861; BBC Big Read 1861. Our aggregate score of 51/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes Great Expectations is how it handles its central concerns — class, love, ambition, identity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Great Expectations reflects Charles Dickens's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United Kingdom's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
186121
BBC Big Read
list · national
186117
✍️
About the Author
Charles Dickens
United Kingdom
View Author →

Charles Dickens is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Great Expectations about?

Pip, a poor blacksmith's apprentice, receives a mysterious fortune and pursues his gentlemanly ambitions and the cold, beautiful Estella, learning painful lessons about class, love, and the true nature of a gentleman. Dickens's most perfectly constructed novel.

Who wrote Great Expectations?

Great Expectations was written by Charles Dickens, from United Kingdom. First published in 1861.

What awards has Great Expectations won?

Great Expectations has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1861; BBC Big Read 1861.

Is Great Expectations worth reading?

Great Expectations is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 35/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in class, love, ambition.

Where can I buy Great Expectations?

You can buy Great Expectations on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Great Expectations?

Great Expectations is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Great Expectations from?

Great Expectations originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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