Great Expectations By Charles Dickens Book Review

‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens Book Review

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romance/Mystery

Summary: Narrated fully in first person, the story follows a young orphan boy called Pip, who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband, Joe. Pip has no expectation for his future but to become a blacksmith and live a common life. But when he is asked to visit a wealthy woman, Miss Havisham, to play with her daughter, Estella, Pip’s life turns upside down. By the day, Estella makes Pip feel more course and common. The only thing Pip wants now is to become a gentleman and be worthy of Estella.

My opinion: If you are a classic lover this book is a must read for you. Even if you are not, you still need to try reading this epic story. One of my favourite classics ever, ‘Great Expectation’ is Dickens’s one of the bests. The story is very intense. There are places where you cannot help but laugh, as well as places where your heart will break.

I can relate myself in a lot of way with Pip as he finds truth about himself along the story. What makes a man wants more? What is the reward in being content? These questions are beautifully answered.

More than one and a half century old, this story depicts the social situation of that time perfectly. Class discrimination is a vital part of this novel. Charles Dickens is famous for his presentation of human behaviour in an authentic way. As a result, each character is well developed and real.

Favourite character: Miss Havisham, one of the most gothic characters in literature, is my favourite person from the novel. Her appearance was very interesting. Her house were decorated like a wedding which took place a long time ago and she wore the same dress literally all the time. Not a single object was moved in her house and it looked like as if it was stuck in time forever.

Miss Havisham was a very complicated character and not without flaws, which made her more real. She was cold on the outside but I feel like there was still some warmth left in her heart somewhere.

Quote: “Throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.”

Marauders era reimagined (part 2)

part 1

One Last Dance

"Can I have a dance?"

A man with a pitch black mask covering the upper half of his face asked me. His face was very pale and his lips were thin.

Looking in his twinkling dark eyes, I felt like I've seen them before.

"But I can't dance." I said.

I wouldn’t have come to the ball if it weren’t themed as a Victorian London one. There is something I find really interesting about the Victorian era.

"Oh Darling!" the man said with a charming smile, "Let me take the lead."

This time I knew for sure I’ve heard that same voice saying the exact same word, “Darling!”

Unconsciously I gave my hands to his. We moved to the dance floor. He put his hand behind my back and pulled me closer.

I was oblivious to my surrounding. The only thing I was looking at was his pitch black eyes. The lights reflected in them as we move along the music. Hours after hours past. But we did not stop. I could not remember when was the last time I felt that much happy. We laughed, we danced and kept staring at each other’s eyes.

A sudden flashback cross my mind. I was dancing with my beloved surrounded by the dark woods. Our laughs were the only sound we could hear.

I pulled away and gasped, “You’re him.”

He came closer to me and whispered, “And you’re her, my mellilla.”

Read Part 2 Here

‘The Devil All the Time’ Book Review

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Rating: 4/5

Summary: Willard Russell, a war veteran, tries to find peace by settling down with his family. But soon his wife, Charlotte is diagnosed with cancer and Willard does anything he knows possible to keep her alive, leaving his son, Arvin, traumatized for life. A preacher and his crippled cousin tries to run from the law when an experiment goes terribly wrong. A psychologically disturbed couple search for models to capture perfect photos. This is a story of a place full of ignorance, maniacs, blind faith and evil.

My Opinion: I knew I would love this book as soon as I started reading it. I knew this book will leave me scarred mentally. Yet I couldn’t resist the temptation of reading it. The events on this book are terrible. I cannot stop thinking about it. The dark sides of human natures are represented in a breathtaking way. The haunted images followed me all the time. This book is definitely not for any faint hearted person. The characters are very complicated. Some of them are in such a misery, I feel very bad for them. Morally complicated characters always fascinate me. They seem like real human beings. This book contains such characters. I think too much about them and to me they have become real. I usually don’t support violence. I personally think evils can only be defeated by all the positivity like honesty and love. But some cases in the book contradicts my values. It makes me feel like there are some things which are too evil to forgive or let go.

Favourite Character: Though I like almost all the characterizations in the book, I like Arvin more than any other. He has a very tough life and he is brave. I support almost every action of him. He is the perfect example of a brother. Though he is a violent man, he is a caring one too.

Quote: “Too much religion could be as bad as too little, maybe even worse.”

‘The Three Musketeers’ by Alexandre Dumas [Book Review]

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Adventure/Historical-Fiction

Summary: During the reign of King Louis XIII, an ambitious young man, d’Artagnan, aspiring to be one of the king’s musketeers come to Paris, where he meets the famous three musketeers; Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Along the way, they have to overcome the conspiracy of the Cardinal and his ally.

My Opinion: This classic adventure is very engaging and humorous. I usually don’t get attached with the adventure genre in books. But this one kept me entertained. This book contains such hilarious dialogues that I couldn’t help laughing out loud. The characters make very smart remarks too; which is quite impressive. The characters are varied and likeable. The protagonists as well as the antagonists are very brave in nature. The best part of this novel is a female antagonist. The concept is very unique considering the time period when it was written. At that time women were considered very delicate and soft natured. On the contrary the Lady de Winter in this novel displayed a very heinous character.

Favourite Characters: Aramis was the best musketeer in my opinion. He valued bravery as well as morality. On the other hand, the intelligence he showed at the time when needed was very admirable. I also liked the characterization of the Duke of Buckingham, though it was a minor one. His behaviour is very charming. The love he had for the queen, Anne of Austria, is very fascinating.

Quote:  “I do not cling to life sufficiently to fear death.” 

How Hatred Starts

I just realized why people hate each other.

Once someone sees the worst side of another and continues to judge them by it, they eventually starts hating the latter.

Suppose the person A knows the worst mistake the person B has made in their life and judge their (B) every action based on the knowledge they (A) acquired, they (A) starts to hate them (B). In turn, the person B also tries to find the worst of the person A and starts to hate them as well.

This is how it goes on and none of them ever tries to find the person behind all that mistakes and weaknesses.