Great Expectations response

   I noticed that a lot of people really disliked Great Expectations, but I actually enjoyed reading the book.  What I loved most about the novel was Dickens's writing.  Yes, he used very elaborate language that was hard to follow, but he wrote is such a way that it made you really love the characters or really hate them.  Everything was very well connected.  Even the smallest of details such as the literary devises came together at the end.  Discussions really helped me understand some of the small details that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.  The middle was boring, but the fluctuation of the novel keeps you on your toes.  Even with the small clues that were given, I still didn't catch the mysteries on my own, however; it was fun to have a few surprises.  The only major piece that I didn't like about Great Expectations was the ending.  It was disappointing that Pip didn't marry Bibby! :( Joe marrying Bibby? NOOOOO!

From the very front cover to that backs binding, I read all the way though!  It was a ton of reading, but I am glad I can say, I DID IT.  I got into a routine of picking the book up on a Saturday afternoon and reading through Monday and Tuesday’s assignment.  I always had my laptop in hand with dictionary.com readily available and Sparknotes just in case.  After Tuesday, I would be rushing to get it done with all my other homework, so that I didn't fall behind.  Usually I was sitting on the couch in the living room or sometimes sitting at my desk (aka dining room table) with my feet up on the other chair across from me.  Over all, I comprehended the book pretty well.  Without our daily discussions I wouldn't have done as well, but with that help it was attainable.  As far as annotations go, I would read through an assignment and take notes as I went, then I would go back to the notes and annotate, then read, and repeat.      

Rachel