Book excerpt: This classic novel follows the life of Pip, an orphan who rises from humble beginnings to become a gentleman. Along the way he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including the eccentric Miss Havisham, the enigmatic Estella, and the terrifying Abel Magwitch. Dickens' vivid descriptions of Victorian London, his masterful characterizations, and his hauntingly beautiful prose make this one of the iconic works of English literature. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.