Dickens Champions, Ealing Book Group watched the latest BBC adaptation of Great Expectations after reading the book. Here’s what they thought:
Although much simplified, we found the adaptation fairly faithful to the essence of the text. Portrayals of some characters were too much simplified and some were completely absent such as Biddy the Aged Parent. We appreciate this is due to the need to ‘nip and tuck’ Dickens’ considerable word count and to maintain mass appeal. (How many more coverts to Dickens could the adaptation claim?) How great to see some of Mr Wemmick’s idiosyncrasies and commitment to his work conveyed as well as the true caring heart of Mr Jaggers.
The atmosphere created in the adaptation was misty, dark and generally moody – Satis House was satisfyingly decayed. Pip stunned us with his model looks; Miss Havisham was approached in a refreshing way with a younger actor. The opening was really well done; the marshes suitably atmospheric and scary; Magwich, Mrs Jo and the young Pip all very true to the text. The descriptions of Pip’s first visit to Walworth were wonderfully poignant in the original.
One of our group, for whom English is not the native language, had always feared Dickens a little. Great Expectations calmed those fears and instead made reading Dickens enjoyable with a compelling story full of humour in which the author shows compassion and sympathy for most of his characters.
Overall though, we felt a little sad. We missed the detail, the humour and the authorial voice (conveyed through Pip in this novel). We turn back to the novel to answer our questions about Pip and Estella’s magnetism and repulsion and for more about Joe’s loyalty and Magwich’s role as a catalyst to change.
We formed our group to appreciate more this fascinating author and were left feeling enriched by the novel and well, just a little bit bored, by this adaptation.
Our Dickens Champions
Watch out for our Dickens Champions’ blog posts as they read their way through Dickens during 2012.
Read the Immaculate Conception Reading Group, Southampton’s thoughts on Dombey and Son.
Read Dickens Readng Group, Manchester’s thoughts on David Copperfield.
Read Belper Book Chat, Derbyshire’s thoughts on The Old Curiosity Shop.
Check out our Dickens Champions photos on Facebook.
Reading Dickens in your reading group or book club? Get in touch or post a comment to let us know how you’re getting on.
