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Great Expectations

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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Publisher's Summary

Exclusively from Audible

Pip is an orphan, brought up in a village on the Essex marshes by his disagreeable sister and her husband Joe Gargery, the kind-hearted village blacksmith. Life is harsh and Pip has few prospects until he receives from an anonymous benefactor the chance of escaping the forge for a more promising life in London. But his expectations are fraught with difficulties as he is haunted by figures from his past such as the escaped convict Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham, and her proud and beautiful ward, Estella. As he passes from childhood to adulthood he in time discovers his true self.

Powerfully moving, the story is immersed in Dickens's own memories of the past, raising questions about the extent to which individuals affect each other's lives.

Often considered Dickens's best-loved work, Great Expectations features some of his most memorable characters and continues to attract fans of all ages.

Dickens was one of eight children from a very poor family, with his father eventually being sent to debtors' prison. At the age of 12, Dickens had no choice but to start work in order to help clear the family debt. It was this troublesome childhood that provided him with much of the material for his novels and lent him a sympathetic voice for the poor.

Narrator Biography

Martin Jarvis is one of Britain's most admired actors. His audiobook output is legendary. He is described in Vanity Fair as 'the Olivier of audiobooks' and 'genius of the Spoken Word' in the LA Times. Award-winning recordings range from titles by Charles Dickens, P.G. Wodehouse and Michael Frayn to thrillers by Jeffrey Archer, Wilbur Smith, Ian Fleming and Dick Francis. Martin's BBC Just William recordings are worldwide best sellers.

Martin Jarvis has starred in many acclaimed West End and National Theatre productions and received the Theatre World Award as Jeeves on Broadway. Numerous UK television appearances encompass Law & Order, Doctor Who, Endeavour, Inspector Morse and The Forsyte Saga. In America: Murder She Wrote, Numb3rs, Cosmos and Walker, Texas Ranger. Films include Titanic, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Wreck-It Ralph. Videogames: 'Alfred' in Batman, 'Finn McMissile' in Cars.

Martin is invested by HM the Queen as Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Great Expectations

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English Teachers Beware

As a student I hate this work.

The characters are lame and it drags on and on and on. Don't choose this book to read or study. It sucks.

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3 people found this helpful

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Wonderful story brilliantly told

Martin Jarvis' reading of Dickens is just wonderful. Enjoyed it immensely! He brings the characters to life.

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  • Ben
  • 21-01-2020

excellent voice performance for a wonderful book

my first dickens novel and it is obvious he has a wonderful command of the english language and can turn a phrase or breathe new life into one that awoke new love of language in me. jo is now a hero of mine and i cant wait to devour the rest of dickens anthology. the voice acting was likewise superb breathing life into dickens era england

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A Great Classic

I'd only ever seen the films ... there is so much more! He was a gifted words mother.

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The Characters were amazing

It was quite a long book, but character development made it all the worth. Love the narration.

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Terrific narrator, great story

Hadn't expected to enjoy this book so much, Dickens is quite witty, Incredible narrator.

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Exceeded Expectations


The allure of a better tomorrow can distract us from the comforts of today, and the expectations we have of ourselves and of others can mould us into people we are not.

Dickens’ Great Expectations tells a coming-of-age story which details the perils of placing faith in others and the danger of letting sleights of the past dictate the future. It is filled with lively and distinct characters and twists which fit neatly together to tell a contained but satisfying story.

While character development and pivotal relationships are at times rushed, the tale nonetheless imbues important and relatable messages regarding the difficulties of growth.

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  • NR
  • 08-08-2023

Dazzling

Dickens’ story was further lifted by the thoroughly dazzling narration by Martin Jarvis; which commands your attention throughout.

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Fantastic to listen to!

An absolute masterpiece, personality given to every character and Martin Jarvis’ voice was a perfect reminder that this is an older Pip telling the story of his youth. I just loved it!

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Fascinating tale

An epic classic that is so well narrated.

Such interesting characters that despite the length of the story I was kept entertained throughout.
Just as expected from Dickens.

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