Catherine then adopts Estella, intending revenge on the masculine world-'all of the genus who conceitedly, smugly supposed that they were indispensable to a woman’s personal completeness, her felicity.' Minor characters, Pip included, strengthen the story, and Frame’s presentation of the era is substantial but not overdone.

The book ripples with social commentary, an example being Catherine’s attempt to manage the brewery only to be stymied by gender prejudice and her own obstinacy. Subplots follow Sally, a village girl who becomes Catherine’s childhood companion, and Arthur, Catherine’s wastrel half brother. Aeneas, Tom O’Bedlam and Henry Purcell deepen a narrative appealing to the modern ear yet suitably Dickensian. Frame’s chapters are short, written from Catherine’s point of view, and laced with elements of classical poetry and song. He soon proposes then leaves her at the altar. Catherine allows Compeyson to run the brewery. Class prejudices aside, the Chadwycks attempt to dissuade Catherine from Compeyson, but she is enthralled, even ignoring Chadwyck cousin Frederick, thinking him overly religious, awkward and unambitious despite his shy admiration for her. She then meets Charles Compeyson, charming, enigmatic, vaguely roguish. There, Catherine has eyes for William but soon learns that titled folk do not marry merchants' daughters. The Chadwycks are to add the social polish necessary for Catherine to marry well. Then, as Catherine matures, he dispatches her to Durley Chase, home of Lady Chadwyck and her children Isabella, William, Marianna and cousin Frederick. Her father, owner of a prosperous brewery, spoils her beyond measure. Frame ( The Lantern Bearers, 2001, etc.) writes the story of Catherine Havisham, recluse of Satis House, in this prelude to Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.ĭespite her mother’s death in childbirth, the Great Expectations of Miss Havisham come naturally.

Havisham by ronald frame