Great Expectations

I remember my col senior advising me during "interaction" sessions - 'Never expect from any one and never let anyone expect from you'. And I should say now, 6 years hence that day, I still haven't 100% followed that advice. Anyways this blog is not about my expectations or any philosophy regarding expectations. As the title says its about the book I just finished Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

I had picked up this book at the start of first sem of my masters. Busy as I was, I read it just now in my sem break. The reason I bought this book was, a friend of mine rather a literary friend of mine used to go on and on about Charles Dickens and I, haven't read even a single work of his (expect school curriculum) used to be at loss of words ( and I don't like that). The author is really famous and well known for the fact that most of his works are first person narrative. When you read the book, its a story about you, one can always be pip and live thru the novel. This makes one more involved in the novel and of course adds to the pleasure of reading, specially when you are reading to get away from the pending projects and assignments.

As all the classics I have read, there are few really strong characters in the book Miss Havisham and Magwitch being my favorites, and definitely I like Joe. The story has nothing special to offer. A lady left at the altar by a guy who plots against her with her brother for money. A convict who repays by trying to get a kid from slums to castles. A blacksmith so innocent and pure who gets offended by no one. A lady who destroys everything for someone else's revenge. A lawyer so strict of rules that he hides millions of secrets. A person so kind to one but ungrateful to other. In the end the justice is served, convict is hanged, old villain is sent to jail, good people are married, struggler's reach somewhere in business, and pip gets the lady he always loved. And they meet never to be parted. The language is something I really appreciate. Love to read a book thats so pure and filled with emotions, strongly expressed emotions they were.

The story is about pip who journeys from a naive kid to a man of honor (may be too strong a word). The transition is neatly expressed and clearly justified. When he realizes his benefactor is a convict he does resist initially but lately tries to do everything to make things right, even illegally, even at the stake of losing everything, which means a lot for a kid who was ashamed of his poor uncle. Also the love he had for the lady which lasted even after her beauty was gone and she was divorced, made him worthy to have her. Plus the way secrets are hidden and people are entangled, is quiet a treat.

Every man ought to know his own business best - A line from the book which I want to remember always.

PS - I saw a movie Crash today, a must watch it is. The only movie which shows good part as well as bad part in every person. There is good and little bit bad in each one of us.