The story revolves around the year 1812. A 6-year old orphan boy Philip Pirrip (known as Pip) was raised by his sister and her husband. Joe Gargery (Pip's sister's husband) was a blacksmith and a kind man. His sister Mrs. Joe had nothing good to say to Pip. Pip was a boy without any expectations. One December afternoon day he happens to meet a convict in the churchyard, who scares Pip to steal food for him and get a file to free him from his leg shackles. Pip stole some food items and a bottle of brandy from his sister's house – this was his first act of guilt.

During one of the visit of Uncle Pumblechook, he introduced Pip to Miss Havisham. This visit changed Pip's life. Miss Havisham was an unmarried old lady who was abandoned on her wedding day. Pip develops a strong crush for Estella who is Miss Havisham's adopted daughter. Being rejected in love Miss Havisham raised Estella in a cruel hearted way who will break men's hearts.

Later one day a lawyer informs Pip that he has inherited a lot of money from an anonymous benefactor and must leave for London immediately. All this while Pip was believing that the anonymous benefactor was Miss Havisham but one day he learnt that the benefactor was a petty criminal Abel Magwitch, alias Provis. In the meantime Mrs. Joe who was not keeping good health passed away.

Magwitch was eventually convicted and executed. On his deathbed Pip learns that Magwitch was Estella's father! Pip in the meantime travels overseas and returns back after 11-years. During this time Mr. Joe had married again. When he visits Miss Havisham's house (who was no more), he finds a reformed Estella wandering; Estella's marriage did not last long and now she accepts Pip as her friend.

The story ends with Pip and Estella getting married and he says "I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her."

Through this book, the author draws on his experiences of life and people. The author tells a fictional story in a way which leaves an impression in the mind of the reader as if the story is a non-fiction. The author portrays himself as Pip, an orphan who faces various challenges in life. This book is highly recommendable for all age groups for it says 'life is not fair but it is still good'. An optimistic and a happy-ending to the story is a cherry on the cake. Dickens has truly portrayed his classy and enticing writing skills.

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