Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

As part of the My Year of Dangerous Reading Challenge, I read Great Expectations. I had seen some of the movies, so I had a general idea of the plot (even though the Ethan Hawke version was not really all that much like the book). I think that helped. I found the language frustrating at times, especially uncle Joe; though he was a great character, I did find him taxing at times.
On the whole, I'm glad that I read it. I loved a Tale of Two Cities so I had some hopes of really liking this one. I liked it, but it didn't become a page turner until the last 5th of the book, which I read in one day.

My year of dangerous reading-change book for February

My List:
January: Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens
February: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
March: Cat's Eye, by Margaret Atwood
April: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
May: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
June: Animal Farm by George Orwell
July: The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
August: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
September: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
October: The Human Stain, by Philip Roth
November:A Month of Classic Short Stories, Various
December: The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

The Song that is stuck in my head...

I don't wanna talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny

I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules

The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain.

But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed

The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all

I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all......

The Winner Takes it All by Abba