David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield
Charles Dickens |
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Read in January, 2008
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recommends it for:
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A story that includes an orphan boy, rags to riches, trials, tribulations, and adventures: it seems to scream standardization and uniformity. Do we really need to hear about another destitute orphan who, through self-discovery and hardships, creates a better life for himself? I say we do, should, or must if his name is David Copperfield. Tom Sawyer, Anne Shirley, Mowgli, Pollyanna, Peter Pan, Jane Eyre, Becky Sharp, and even (or especially) Harry Potter: please step aside. You simply can’t co...more
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Read in June, 2007
Dickens mentioned in his preface that "Davy" is his "favorite" child and this book is his favorite. Hmm, I do not share that opinion.
I hope I'm not being too cynical by saying this: David Copperfield is one lucky b***ard.
When he was born without a father, he had his mother and a loving nanny, Peggotty.
When his mother remarried to the evil Mr. Murdstone, he still had Peggotty who consoled him.
When he was sent to a grim boarding school, he had Steerforth as his protector....more
I hope I'm not being too cynical by saying this: David Copperfield is one lucky b***ard.
When he was born without a father, he had his mother and a loving nanny, Peggotty.
When his mother remarried to the evil Mr. Murdstone, he still had Peggotty who consoled him.
When he was sent to a grim boarding school, he had Steerforth as his protector....more
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Read in October, 2001
I first got the idea about reading Dickens aloud from watching the movie Gone With the Wind. (They were even reading this book!) To me as a young bookgirl (at the time) it seemed like such fun, I kept wishing we didn't have TV at home and we'd sit around and read aloud in the evenings. It didn't happen in the home I grew up in, but my husband and I made it happen (for awhile at least) in our own home. David Copperfield, like most of Dicken's works is at its best when read aloud...more
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Read in December, 2007
It's interesting that David Copperfield was actually Dickens favorite. He loved David Copperfield more than all the others because the book is the most autobiographical of all his books.
I won't go into the similarities to his own life, that would take hours and you don't want to read that much here.
I always find the themes of Dickens novels so refreshing. In David Copperfield, he talks a lot about how to choose a mate and what makes a happy life. I agree with all the things he writes on th...more
I won't go into the similarities to his own life, that would take hours and you don't want to read that much here.
I always find the themes of Dickens novels so refreshing. In David Copperfield, he talks a lot about how to choose a mate and what makes a happy life. I agree with all the things he writes on th...more
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Read in October, 2007
Wow, I think Charles Dickens might just be my favorite author of all time. This book was basically his autobiography, and of all his books his favorite. It was really amazing to see all the opposition he had to deal with up til he was ten and after that it just kept coming. The poor guy was amazing, and seemed to keep his wits about him through most of it until after twenty he developed either some self confidence which in turn allowed him to argue with many people. Because prior to that it s...more
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Read in January, 1993
recommends it for:
lovers, innocents, justice seekers, and those who are depressed
"I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is DAVID COPPERFIELD"
I have also a favorite author and his name is Charles Dickens.
This novel is poetry. To truly appreciate the beauty of the English language, one must read David Copperfield. This book cannot be classified. It is a love story, a drama, and a comedy. It has elements of horror and suspense. I laughed hysterically, sobbed uncontrollably, and threw it to a wall in a fit of anger. It annoyed, bore...more
I have also a favorite author and his name is Charles Dickens.
This novel is poetry. To truly appreciate the beauty of the English language, one must read David Copperfield. This book cannot be classified. It is a love story, a drama, and a comedy. It has elements of horror and suspense. I laughed hysterically, sobbed uncontrollably, and threw it to a wall in a fit of anger. It annoyed, bore...more
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Read in June, 2008
I think I enjoyed David Copperfield the most among the Dickens novels I’ve read this year. I already knew how well Dickens does childhood, but here he is just as fine with adolescence, with first friendships and first jobs and first loves, plus a hilarious scene in which David invites friends to his first apartment and then surprises himself by becoming regrettably drunk. The characters are so great. I loved David’s donkey-hating Aunt Betsy, his wild-haired schoolmate Traddles (always...more
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Read in January, 2007
I picked this book up in preparation for a 36 hour bus ride, and while I don't regret it, I have reservations about recommending it to anyone not in similar circumstances. Dicken's writing is excellent, of course, and sometimes remarkable. The story picks up and carries on quite well, perhaps a little two well. I think that's the problem. Compared to other novels of his that I've been exposed to, like Great Expectations and Tale of Two Cities, this one has almost no conflict. Dickens seems ...more
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Read in June, 2008
I may even have to make this one of my few five-star books. I find parts of it absolutely hilarious. David is such a sympathetic character, and the first person narrator describes events with such a humorous gap between his own understanding and what the reader sees happening, that I am throughly entertained by Dickens' fabulous way of writing. It has very sad parts, too. I can hardly bear wicked Mr. Murdstone, I want to shake David's ninny mother, and hug Peggoty, and have tea every afterno...more
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Read in March, 2008
Really really enjoyed this one - I'm turning into a confirmed Dickens fan. The way Copperfield interacts with and thinks of many of his friends and family seems so familiar to me. The character DC reminded me of myself at times, especially in his child-like approach to life.
Some of my favourite moments were when he describes "cutting trees" and "facing difficulties", when he meets the love of his life, the tedium of his daily work, his description of being "swept awa...more
Some of my favourite moments were when he describes "cutting trees" and "facing difficulties", when he meets the love of his life, the tedium of his daily work, his description of being "swept awa...more
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To me some pieces are written to be read once for ever. Though I loved Oliver Twist or David Copperfield and even Bleak House when I read them first as a young man, but never again….
برخی از آثار یا نویسندگان در دوره ی خود در حد شاهکار بوده اند. بسیاری شان اما پس از یک زمان مشخص، تاریخ مصرفشان تمام شده است. می توانم تصور کنم که دیکنز یکی از آنهاست که در دو...more
برخی از آثار یا نویسندگان در دوره ی خود در حد شاهکار بوده اند. بسیاری شان اما پس از یک زمان مشخص، تاریخ مصرفشان تمام شده است. می توانم تصور کنم که دیکنز یکی از آنهاست که در دو...more
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recommends it for:
Someone who REALLY enjoys character-driven stories.
Dickens is almost God-like in his ability to create such a massive catalog of thoroughly unique individuals from one novel to the next. Normally, I delight in the rich literary tapestry that this attention to detail produces; however, in David Copperfield, Dickens' penchant for character development may have gotten away from him.
This particular novel follows the hard knock existence of David Copperfield from birth through adulthood; and, as far as I can tell, is told in real time. By the en...more
This particular novel follows the hard knock existence of David Copperfield from birth through adulthood; and, as far as I can tell, is told in real time. By the en...more
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Read in June, 2008
Book 6 in my year of novels by Charles Dickens.
Considered to be his favorite and most autobiographical novel, Dickens's David Copperfield is long on sentimentality (and words). It is also chock full of unforgettable characters:
Uriah Heep: the insincerely "umble" clerk and nemesis of DC;
Mr. Murdstone: the evil stepfather of DC;
Mr. Micawber: the kindly, comical and forever short on cash friend of DC;
Peggotty: DC's kind and loyal nurse and friend of the family; and
Dora: D...more
Considered to be his favorite and most autobiographical novel, Dickens's David Copperfield is long on sentimentality (and words). It is also chock full of unforgettable characters:
Uriah Heep: the insincerely "umble" clerk and nemesis of DC;
Mr. Murdstone: the evil stepfather of DC;
Mr. Micawber: the kindly, comical and forever short on cash friend of DC;
Peggotty: DC's kind and loyal nurse and friend of the family; and
Dora: D...more
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Read in August, 2007
So I read this over a long period of time. It is long enough and dense enough that one feels like one can live with it and David. I was most delighted with the opening chapters of David's idyllic early years and relationships with the perfect caricatures that, though being caricatures, live and breathe fully: Pegotty, David's mother, Aunt Betsey Trotwood. I give the book five stars because of the ending - a lovely portrait of destiny fulfilled. And, frankly, David's destiny is my kind of des...more
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This book is probably my favorite. When it comes to creating rich characters, both the likable and disgusting, Dickens is a master. When I read the book for the first time, I wanted to be Agnes. She is beautiful and long-suffering. She faithfully loves David, and her love is a knowing love. She is not naive about his character, but sees his flaws, is genuinely grieved at them, and hopes for the better. Peggotty, Mr. Barkis, and Miss Trotwood made me laugh aloud. And speaking of Mr. Barkis, one o...more
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Read in July, 2006
Classic Dickens. This is his best portrait of the mind of a child. The opening sections about Copperfield's formative years are the greatest part of the book. Heart-wrenching at times, but good nonetheless.
I felt that Dickens lost control of the story at some point, though. Before long, the story is no longer about Copperfield at all, but about everyone else in his life. Not much of a problem, but I had a hard time when it becomes clear that Dickens did not like the wife he chose for hi...more
I felt that Dickens lost control of the story at some point, though. Before long, the story is no longer about Copperfield at all, but about everyone else in his life. Not much of a problem, but I had a hard time when it becomes clear that Dickens did not like the wife he chose for hi...more
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recommends it for:
Everyone from age 13 up
What an amazing book. I understand that Dickens liked this book the best of all his own, and it's fairly easy to see why. The characters and their incredibly piquant, complex, and consistent relationshiops, the indelibly well-described settings (smells, sights, etc.--all senses admirably served), the emotional rollercoaster of the lives of the main characters, and--creeping in here and there around the edges throughout--the spot-on social and political commentary.
I'm rereading this now in my 5...more
I'm rereading this now in my 5...more
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Read in January, 2008
I have started re-reading some of my antique books, and have found the language and expressions amazing. I honestly have to wonder though, if Dickens even knew what a period was. For example, this passage from the first chapter of Oliver Twist:
Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small: to wit, a workhouse; and ...more
Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small: to wit, a workhouse; and ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Jennifer by:
A book list of "must-reads"
I have read several Charles Dickens books and what always strikes me is how happy I am NOT to be a Dickens character. His heroes always tend to be good people who suffering horribly at the hands of evil people. Still, I enjoy them for the interesting characters and because I like seeing how the characters overcome (or try to) the terrible obstacles to their happiness. This one piqued my interest because it is supposed to be the most autobiographical of his novels. If this book is truly indic...more
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