Great Expectations


Read by Mark F. Smith

(4.7 stars; 1426 reviews)

This classic tale tells of an orphan, Pip, who through a series of strange circumstances first finds a trade as a blacksmith's apprentice and then learns that he has "great expectations" of a future inheritance from an anonymous benefactor. He soon learns to live the profligate life of a gentleman as he gradually sheds his associations with the gentle souls of his past, Joe (the blacksmith) and Biddy (a level-headed young lady). He throws his money at improving the prospects of his roommate and friend Herbert and his heart at an "ice princess" whose heart will never respond. But then an escaped convict from his distant past comes calling, and all Pip's hopes dissolve. (Summary by Mark F. Smith) (20 hr 26 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 12:42 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 2 22:35 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 3 12:46 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 4 23:08 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 5 26:07 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 6 5:10 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 7 27:47 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 8 30:54 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 9 18:11 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 10 16:25 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 11 34:34 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 12 14:45 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 13 19:59 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 14 5:29 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 15 28:12 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 16 11:56 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 17 21:14 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 18 33:07 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 19 37:49 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 20 19:56 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 21 12:09 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 22 32:36 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 23 21:03 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 24 15:32 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 25 18:21 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 26 17:32 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 27 19:57 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 28 15:00 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 29 32:20 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 30 22:42 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 31 14:34 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 32 14:29 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 33 18:13 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 34 15:24 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 35 20:23 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 36 17:23 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 37 18:40 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 38 33:09 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 39 32:30 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 40 35:12 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 41 14:24 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 42 20:43 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 43 13:02 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 44 20:04 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 45 19:37 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 46 19:02 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 47 16:54 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 48 18:22 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 49 24:18 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 50 10:37 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 51 20:02 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 52 13:19 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 53 32:23 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 54 35:58 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 55 18:26 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 56 14:09 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 57 32:07 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 58 21:32 Read by Mark F. Smith
Chapter 59 11:09 Read by Mark F. Smith

Reviews

A Timeless Classic Brilliantly Read


(5 stars)

This is one of those literary classics we all should have read in high school - but didn’t. Enough said. This version is noteworthy by how well it is read. The text is clear and accurate but when the characters speak Smith gives unique voices to each. He’s really good. Its like being at a live performance. Highly recommend...

Excellent!


(5 stars)

This is a long, entertaining, emotional book made even better by Mark Smith's reading. His choice for Mrs. Joe's method of speaking and "oh, oh, oh!" is hysterical! I was looking at other reviews and came across the one written by "Dr Raycist", who appears to be a racist himself. His review focuses on white European males and their propensity to own slaves. Nobody in this story owned slaves. He says they "all" owned slaves, but I find that hard to believe when considering the number of poor white European males at the time. It's absurd to think this book should be banned, I assume, because of the name of a particular pipe tobacco. I'm sorry Dr Raycist, but not every book can be about the long-suffering black man. If my review is inappropriate, let me know and I'll write a different one. I was upset by the gentleman's comments (mostly about banning the book) and had to respond.

Awesome


(5 stars)

Wow!! This book is my new favorite book. Great Job to the Narrator of this book!!!! He did a great job! All I can say to this book is WOW!!! I wish more people would read classics like these because they are amazing! I was a little scared of this book becaus3 I just have gotten into classics and it is my first Dickens but this book was amazing. I would also highly recommend listening to it. This is a great book I will always come back to!!!

Love it!


(4.5 stars)

Great story, very well read by Mr. Smith. I do have one bone to pick with this story: Nobody is EVER as purely good as Dickens heroes. I mean, if the moral is, like, “good always beats evil,” sure, but, uh, you’re saying that your almost sickeningly innocent heroes can defeat evil, what about us ordinary folks? Ah well, that was it. My daily rant is over, so I must bid ye all a fond farewell: Uh, bye, I guess.

Brilliant book, painful reading


(4 stars)

Listening to this American reader attempting the various English accents is excruciatingly cringeworthy and painful. It's hard to listen with enjoyment, even though this is possibly Dickens's best work. The ringing, hollow noise in the background of the reading is dreadfully distracting. It sounds as though the reading is being carried out inside a submarine!

from my first reading of this book when I was in school, throughout the years t…


(5 stars)

from my first reading of this book when I was in school, throughout the years that have led to now, it has remained a firm favourite. A message of the substance of friendship and love over 'portable property.'

Worth a listen!


(5 stars)

Great reader. Enjoyed listening to this story very much. Best voice the reader does is Joe. The story gets a little dull and tough to follow around chapter 20. Eventually there is a surprise event and the story gets much better from that point until the end.

brilliant


(5 stars)

Mark Smith brings this classic of Dickens to life with an extraordinarily good read. I got a huge amount out of this book. So much of it is relevant to the 21st century. This is the best read book on librivox so far! thank you Mark