Havisham by Ronald Frame is the prequel to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. Frame takes the jaded and unhinged Catherine Havisham out of her musty clothes and turns back the clock. We find Catherine as a young girl learning about herself, where she is full of life and hope, and longing before her future life stunting heartbreak.
I enjoyed learning about Catherine’s before: her family relationships and friendships. How her beloved father strove to turn her from a wealthy businessman’s daughter into a Lady. To do this, Frame had to take the elusive – even ethereal Havisham and make her a real multidimensional character. Just as Dorothy unmasking the wizard ruined the magic, Catherine Havisham looses some of her mystique as her ghostly wedding gown is replaced with fancy ball gowns. He begins this demystification of Catherine Havisham at a place a reader would easily recall from Dickens’ tale; the point when Estella first encountered her adoptive mother. The opening scene was a fragmented and brief glimpse into that day which set the tone for the entire novel which was written in these fragmented glimpses. This fragmented style of writing was interesting, but at times a bit frustrating much like trying to stream a video that keeps buffering. Overall I enjoyed the novel because it allowed me a glimpse into Havisham’s past and her own mental anguish. I thought Frame really could’ve delved deeper into the psychological aspect of Havisham’s unraveling and found the lack of this aspect to her demystification disappointing.
Would I recommend this?. Yes. Especially if you’re a fan of the classic.
Havisham by Ronald Frame
Published by Random House LLC on 28 Jan 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Stand Alone or Series: It’s a loner.
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Buy on Amazon• Goodreads
Haven’t read the classic? You can download it on Amazon for your Kindle for free!
Nicole Olea’s love language is communication. She does this best using her keyboard as a freelance copywriter and editor. Creative and resilient with high-level experience in social media management, content creation, and eCommerce marketing, Nicole Olea was a professional volunteer, sharing her skills with various non-profit organizations who paid her in hugs. For the last 20 years, she’s lived a quasi-nomadic life, moving across the country and the Atlantic with her active-duty husband and their three kids. She’s awkwardly stumbling toward her goal of becoming a saint. She’s got God-sized dreams and wants you to have them too!
A prequel to Great Expectations is an interesting idea.
I think this genre is fast becoming the new “thing” – though it’s no new concept.
I need to find time to read… well, i have time. It’s just a matter of breaking up with my Playstation long enough to do it xD
I need to read both of them, I think. This sounds pretty interesting!
Interesting! I have to admit that as many classics as I have read, I have never read Great Expectations. I’ll need to get on that and add this to my Goodreads list.
Sounds like a really great read.
I love prequels! I read several Pride and Prejudice prequels and either loved them or hated them. Definitely up to personal opinion how I wanted the story to begin or end.
Oh I’m always all over a Pride and Predjudice story and totally agree – you either love it or hate it!
I really need to get back into reading. This sounds like something right up my alley.
Sounds like a great book!
Awesome. I really needed an idea for a new book to read.
Normally I dont read classics, but I read a TON of books and am always looking for recommendations. Thankyou!
Sounds like this might be something my husband would like to read, he likes Dickens classics.
I had no idea Great Expectations had a prequel?!? Adding it to my book wish list right this minute!!
Interesting. I always sort of wondered why she was so bizarre.
WOW! Now I’m not sure if I were to read this would it Ruin her for me,or just have me feel more for her. Very interesting!
This sounds like a great read. Thank you for sharing this book with us.
Definitely sounds interesting! I always struggle finding new titles! Thanks for the recommend!
I had no idea that someone had written a prequel for “Great Expectations”. Thanks for the review!
I’ve always wondered what Catherine was like before she was dealt the hand of cards she ended up with. I’m going to have to see if this is available at our library, and if not I’ll just go around and order on Amazon . . . sounds really interesting.
the buffering comment is a great way to describe that feeling!
Sounds like a cool story line. I’m surprised no one has written more about her backstory before!
I love reading and have read and enjoyed many classics, but never read Great Expectations. I think I’ll give it a read and then read Havisham.
I rarely get time to read, so book reviews like this are necessary (don’t waste time on a bad book). Thanks for your insight!
Sounds like an interesting read!