What larks I had re-reading ‘Great Expectations.’ I followed that with Peter Carey’s darker and brooding ‘Jack Maggs,” a re-telling of the Dickens’ novel, but from the point of view of the Convict.
It’s been 45 years since I read about the exploits of Pip (Old Chap), the hero of “Great Expectations.” I picked up the Charles Dickens novel last month and renewed my acquaintance with Pip, Joe Gargery, Estella, Miss Havisham, the Convict, the Aged P(arent) and all the other colorful characters in early 18th Century London and surrounds.
The idea of having a secret benefactor appealed to me then, and still does today. All my grandparents have passed on, as have my parents and spinster aunts. I can’t think of any family members who are going to leave me a pile of money.
Nor can I can’t think of any convicts for whom I did a solid when I was seven years old.
There was a 100-year-old neighbor for whom I did chores, like shoveling snow from in front of her house, changing light bulbs and driving her car around the block to keep all the fluids moving. But when she died on her 101st birthday, her will held no remembrance of me.
Still, I haven’t given up hope that someone somewhere has designated me to receive a sum of money. That is the lesson I took away from “Great Expectations.”
The preface to the edition I read mentioned other works that Dickens had influenced, including movies and books. One of the latter is “Jack Maggs” by Peter Carey. I finished reading it this month and highly recommend it. It’s not a one-for-one retelling of “Great Expectations,” but there are similarities.
Maggs is a convict who returns to London from Australia. He is risking his life by returning to his native country. If found out, he’ll swing from the scaffold for sure.
Maggs seeks Henry Phipps, a man whom he set up in life to become a gentleman, just like the Convict sponsored Pip. As the story progresses, we meet Percy Buckle, who inherited enough money to quit his grocery business and move into a big house where he can read books all day. Buckle hires Maggs as a footman.
There is Tobias Oates, a young journalist and author who is supporting his wife, their infant son and his sister-in-law.
Maggs seeks Henry Phipps, a man whom he set up in life to become a gentleman, just like the Convict sponsored Pip. As the story progresses, we meet Percy Buckle, who inherited enough money to quit his grocery business and move into a big house where he can read books all day. Buckle hires Maggs as a footman.
There is Tobias Oates, a young journalist and author who is supporting his wife, their infant son and his sister-in-law.
The story unfolds chapter by chapter. We slowly learn of the harsh life of Maggs and how he became a criminal. The secrets of other characters -- including homosexuality, suicide, marital infidelity, abortion -- are revealed in due time. Carey keeps you turning the page.
Although the story is set in Victorian times, it was written in the 1990s. I won't give away the story, but suffice it to say that those who commit crimes in this novel are not as surely punished as they would have been in Dickens' day.
“Jack Maggs” is a good read.
Although the story is set in Victorian times, it was written in the 1990s. I won't give away the story, but suffice it to say that those who commit crimes in this novel are not as surely punished as they would have been in Dickens' day.
“Jack Maggs” is a good read.