Great Expectations
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Summary
Editor's review
In narrative technique the work displays Dickens's mature craft. The parallel double plot sustains suspense while deepening thematic expression. The spatial contrast between London and the marshes is not merely geographical but symbolizes two radically different systems of value. Notably, Dickens's critique of the legal system and business ethics is especially sharp here, consistent with his lifelong attention to social problems.
The Shanghai Translation Publishing House edition retains the complete annotation system, offering clear explanations of Victorian cultural background and legal terminology—ideal for readers new to Dickens. The translation balances literary quality with readability, conveying the original humor and irony without excessive domestication.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers seeking to understand nineteenth-century English social structure
- Literature lovers interested in moral questions in coming-of-age novels
- Students of the evolution of Dickens's style
- Readers who enjoy complex characters and reversals of fortune
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking fast-paced, plot-driven entertainment
- Complete beginners unfamiliar with the Victorian era
Reading tips
- Trace Pip's psychological shifts across his three turning points of "expectations"
- Compare the symbolism of Miss Havisham's house and the London scenes
- Note how minor characters such as Joe Gargery set off the themes
About the publisher
Shanghai Translation Publishing House is a Chinese publisher oriented mainly toward translation and publishing. Its publications cover foreign literature, world classics and classic works, as well as social culture, folk literature and classical poetry. The database contains 2,618 titles, including Never Let Me Go, Les Misérables (2 volumes), Don Quixote (illustrated collector's edition), The Complete Comedies of Molière (4 volumes), The Complete Novels of Kafka (3 volumes), The Collected Works of Dostoevsky (9-volume set), Reason and Persons, and Oedipus Rex (Translation Classics). Its author resources include foreign writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Victor Hugo, Cervantes and Molière, as well as translators such as Zheng Kelu, Sun Jiameng, Li Jianwu and Zhang Kun. The publisher has brands such as "Translation Classics Selections" and "Translation Documentary," and emphasizes translated works in foreign literature and the humanities and social sciences, while also publishing bilingual dictionaries and foreign-language educational books. Public information is limited; the above is based on the book information in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 译本序
- 第一章
- 第二章
- 第三章
- 第四章
- 第五章
- 第六章
- 第七章
- 第八章
- 第九章
- 第十章
- 第十一章
- 第十二章
- 第十三章
- 第十四章
- 第十五章
- 第十六章
- 第十七章
- 第十八章
- 第十九章
- 第二十章
- 第二十一章
- 第二十二章
- 第二十三章
- 第二十四章
- 第二十五章
- 第二十六章
- 第二十七章
- 第二十八章
- 第二十九章
- 第三十章
- 第三十一章
- 第三十二章
- 第三十三章
- 第三十四章
- 第三十五章
- 第三十六章
- 第三十七章
- 第三十八章
- 第三十九章
- 第四十章
- 第四十一章
- 第四十二章
- 第四十三章
- 第四十四章
- 第四十五章
- 第四十六章
- 第四十七章
- 第四十八章
- 第四十九章
- 第五十章
- 第五十一章
- 第五十二章
- 第五十三章
- 第五十四章
- 第五十五章
- 第五十六章
- 第五十七章
- 第五十八章
- 第五十九章
FAQ
Why is this considered Dickens's most mature work?
What exactly do the "great expectations" refer to?
Which translation is closer to the original style?
Comments
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About the author
Charles Dickens was the greatest novelist of the Victorian era in nineteenth-century Britain. Born in Portsmouth in 1812, he was forced to leave school and work as a child laborer because of his family's debts, an experience that profoundly shaped his critical view of society. His major works include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations, which expose social injustice and are filled with humanitarian concern. With intricate plots, vivid characters, and an infectious style, he portrayed the many facets of Victorian British society and addressed issues such as the gap between rich and poor, justice, and education. His works remain widely read today, and the library holds 128 editions of his works, spanning foreign literature, world classics, and inspirational coming-of-age categories.
Wang Keyi is a translator whose name commonly appears on Chinese editions of foreign literature. Public information about his life is limited, and his dates of birth and death, native place and educational background are not clearly documented. Judging from the eighteen works recorded in the catalogue, his translations focus mainly on foreign literature and world classics, most notably the Chinese versions of the two English novels Pride and Prejudice and Great Expectations, which have been reprinted many times. This suggests that his translations have circulated widely and been well received by readers. In rendering classic full-length novels, he seeks to preserve the rhythm of the original language and the voices of the characters, writing in clear and fluent prose that balances fidelity with readability, making it easier for general readers to approach the narrative style of nineteenth-century English fiction. These translations have long served as one of the common choices for reading Jane Austen and Charles Dickens in the Chinese-speaking world, acting as a lasting bridge for the appreciation of foreign classics.
