In what may be Dickens's best novel humble orphaned Pip is apprenticed to the dirty work of the forge but dares to dream of becoming a gentleman — and one day under sudden and enigmatic circumstances he finds himself in possession of "great expectations." In this gripping tale of crime and guilt revenge and reward the compelling characters include Magwitch the fearful and fearsome convict; Estella whose beauty is excelled only by her haughtiness; and the embittered Miss Havisham an eccentric jilted bride.
