The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
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David Copperfield
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David Copperfield, Reading Schedule
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Sounds good to me! :-)
Mod
Mod
" 'Of all my books', wrote Dickens of David Copperfield, 'I like this the best.'
'nuff said.
Mod
For those who want to follow along with video, there's a BBC version with Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsy and an adorably young Daniel Radcliffe as little David.
Robin wrote: "For those who want to follow along with video, there's a BBC version with Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsy and an adorably young Daniel Radcliffe as little David. "That sounds incredible! :-)
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Do you keep expecting David Copperfield to whip out a magic wand and zap those who are treating him badly, and then for Aunt Betsy to give his House demerit points?
I'm new to this group and by chance already a 1/3 through this great book. What a good opportunity to join in. 8-)
Jamie wrote: "I'm new to this group and by chance already a 1/3 through this great book. What a good opportunity to join in. 8-)"Great news, Jamie. I am happy you will be joining us!
So excited to be in time to join you on this one. Loved it so completely that I can't wait to hang out with all my dear old friends again. :)
Sarah wrote: "Robin wrote: "For those who want to follow along with video, there's a BBC version with Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsy and an adorably young Daniel Radcliffe as little David. "That sounds incredible!..."
That is a cute version, and Maggie Smith actually liked him so much that he proposed him as Harry Potter ;)
Frances wrote: "The jacket blurb on my copy begins" 'Of all my books', wrote Dickens of David Copperfield, 'I like this the best.'
'nuff said."
That's because he drew on his own experience for David's life.
I've read this book at least three times. Great choice.
Zulfiya wrote: "As we all know, true readers do not believe in superstitions and holidays. Hence, if you agree with the proposed reading schedule, we shall start on October 13 (THIRTEENTH!) and read through the ho..."I am in as well. Thanks for the schedule, Zulfiya! I might have some issues keeping up with the schedule/ keeping the schedule in the first 2-3 weeks, but then I will just catch up with you all (as in the past :-)). Unfortunately, it is a busy time for me at work.
I am really looking forward to this read. I love David Copperfield and I also like the movie with Maggie Smith very much. :-) She is such a wonderful Aunt Betsie.
Hedi wrote: " She is such a wonderful Aunt Betsie. "She is indeed!
I've read this before, but it's been several years. It is one of my favorites by Dickens. Great choice!
I finished David Copperfield, and wanted to get a head start on "Charles Dickens: A Life" by Claire Tomalin that we are doing next.It is a bit pricey if you buy it new. (Nook book is $16.99).
For me, it is available in both my local library and at one of the universities where I teach.
Did anyone else find it someplace where it is a bit less expensive in case their library isn't an option?
Lynnm wrote: "I finished David Copperfield, and wanted to get a head start on "Charles Dickens: A Life" by Claire Tomalin that we are doing next.It is a bit pricey if you buy it new. (Nook book is $16.99).
Fo..."
Well, I got a paper copy as a Christmas gift after having asked for it. :-) I have the UK Penguin edition.
Have you checked Amazon.com? Maybe they have used or even new copies for a cheaper price.
Sometimes you can be lucky and get those for a few dollars.
Good suggestion, Hedi. I just checked amazon, and there are used copies for $3.83.I can get it out of the library, but didn't want to see people not participate because of the price of the book.
Abebooks.com also offers some good deals, and I actually managed to buy mine for 4.67 plus free shipping, so hopefully, members will be able to find books and will participate in the discussion. My university library has one copy, but even if professors are allowed to check out books for a semester, I will feel bad about it. So let's recycle books and give them new lives. The problem here is members who do not live on both sides of the pond, but Europe has an extensive system of second-hand book depositories, and with luck, Hedi and others will be able to purchase the book without feeling too much guilty about it.
And, no Lynnm, I am not going to post two final threads at the same time for DC mainly because I still have to re-read the last three chapters of the novel :-) :-)
Are we going to be taking a hiatus, as we usually do, after David Copperfield before beginning Charles Dickens: A Life? Just curious. I'm planning out my upcoming reads. :-)
Zulfiya wrote: "And, no Lynnm, I am not going to post two final threads at the same time for DC mainly because I still have to re-read the last three chapters of the novel :-) :-) "Wasn't expecting you to do so. :-) Just for myself, I wanted to get a head start on the biography because school is starting this upcoming week and will easier for me to spread it out a bit.
I am, Sarah:-) How about a hiatus of two or three weeks, but we shall start in February, I promise.
Sounds good! Hopefully I can get a bit caught up on my other reads! :-)
Mod
As for a hiatus, I don't mind either way-I finished DC early as it really grabbed me and I had some time over the holidays.
It is a bit pricey if you buy it new. (Nook book i..."It's only £2.81 secondhand on Amazon.co.uk, if anyone needs it in UK.
Clare
Zulfiya wrote: "I am, Sarah:-) How about a hiatus of two or three weeks, but we shall start in February, I promise."I should be able to start any time. February/ 2-3 weeks is fine with me. :-)
I started the biography a few days ago - Tomalin has a nice way of writing - not dry at all (as sadly some biographies often are...)
Take notes, Lynnm! My book has not even arrived, so it will might take about a week or ten days before I post a schedule and give some time for other readers to get the book.
Zulfiya - I hate to be a pain, but I'm excited about starting the biography - any idea of when we'll start??
I am already in pain due to food poisoning or stomach flu:-) Today my best friends are not books, but cramping and purging:-) I will try to post tomorrow if I feel better.
Zulfiya wrote: "I am already in pain due to food poisoning or stomach flu:-) Today my best friends are not books, but cramping and purging:-) I will try to post tomorrow if I feel better."Oh no! I hope that you feel better soon!
Mod
So sorry, take care of yourself and don't worry about us. We are so fortunate to have you as our leader!
Looking at the biography I see there are 400 pages of text (plus maps, "cast list", illustrations & 100 pages of notes/bibliography). If we want to read about 50 pages a week, that would be 3-4 chapters a week. I have a feeling it will be a fast read for us. I am fine with whatever schedule the group prefers.
Zulfiya wrote: "I am already in pain due to food poisoning or stomach flu:-) Today my best friends are not books, but cramping and purging:-) I will try to post tomorrow if I feel better."Sorry to hear that, Zulfiya - hope you feel better soon!
And no rush on the reading schedule...
Robin wrote: "Looking at the biography I see there are 400 pages of text (plus maps, "cast list", illustrations & 100 pages of notes/bibliography). If we want to read about 50 pages a week, that would be 3-4 chapters a week. I have a feeling it will be a fast read for us. I am fine with whatever schedule the group prefers."I think that 3-4 chapters a week would be good as well. And it definitely won't take us as long to read as one of Dickens' novels.
Poor Zulfiya!! How miserable for you. Hope you feel better soon!!
Zulfiya, also from my side hoping you are already feeling better and will be well very soon again.I think 3-4 chapters a week sounds great. There are in total 27 chapters, which would then make about 8 weeks. What do you think?
My edition includes a prologue of 8.5 pages. Shall we include that in our planning?
I could suggest a schedule tomorrow evening/ tonight (CET) in case of need.
As you see, I am also eager and curious to start the biography. :-)
Go for it, Hedi. Two months sounds good, and I'm sure that Zulfiya would appreciate your help with a draft reading schedule.And if you need help, just yell. :-)
I am back to a sitting position without a dire need to purge myself. I will be able to post either today or tomorrow. Thank you for your good wishes, everybody.
My husband keeps teasing me because I wash my hands religiously after any exposure to handles, carts, pets, cars, public places, etc, and if I can not, then I always use a sanitizer, but it looks like it was a gastroenteritis, also known as a 'dirty-hands disease'. Oh, the irony of obsessive cleanliness:-)
I agree with everyone - three - four chapters a week is a manageable load. The style is quite enjoyable, and the book is well-researched with numerous illustrations. I am sure it will be a literary blast.
Mod
Thank you for your good wishes, everybody.
My husband keeps teasing me beca..."
Glad you are feeling better. I will be joining you for this read. I, too, always wash my hands. The irony of it all!
Mod
3-4 chapters/week sounds good to me as well.
I have given it a try to set up a reading schedule for the biography and opened up a separate topic for that. So please free to comment on it there. Zulfiya, I hope that was ok and get better soon. :-)
The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910
Books mentioned in this topic
David Copperfield (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Dear Dickens Project friends, below is a tentative schedule. I know that it is somewhat slow-paced, and most of us can read much faster, but I also know that most of the participants are multi-readers and participate in numerous other discussions. Besides, I am sure the holiday season will take its toll and sabotage our reading hours. On the other hand, if you think it is really too slow, I am quite flexible and will be willing to work with the majority of the dissenting voices - this is how democracy works :-)
I am also looking forward to the next read,
Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin, and I plan to start in February.
Because of the proposed schedule, we will not be reading one of the Christmas tales this December, but I promise we will do it next year. Besides, there are only two tales left, and we have six or seven novels left unread after this one, so the X-tales will not be forgotten.
Here is the schedule.
Chapters I-IV (1-4) - October 13 - October 19
Chapters V-VIII (5-8) - October 20 - October 26
Chapters IX- XII (9-12) - October 27 - November 02
Chapters XIII-XV (13-15) - November 03 - November 09
Chapters XVI-XIX (16-19) - November 10 - November 16
Chapters XX-XXIII (20-23) - November 17 - November 23
Chapters XXIV-XXVII (24-27) - November 24 - November 30
Chapters XXVIII-XXXII (28-32) - December 01 - December 07
Chapters XXIII-XXXVI (33-36) - December 08 - December 14
Chapters XXXVII-XL (37-40) - December 15 - December 21
Chapters XLI-XLIV (41-44) - December 22 - December 28
Chapters XLV- XLIX (45-49) - December 29 - January 04
Chapters L-LIII (50-53) - January 05 - January 11
Chapters LIV-LVIII (54-58) - January 12 - January 18
Chapters LIX-LXIV (59-64) - January 19 - January 25
As usual, let me know what you think about the schedule and the proposed date for our next read. I am looking forward to your feedback and comments and, it goes without saying, anticipating an interesting discussion. After all, we will be talking about his most canonical novel.
P.S. Is there anyone who is willing to lead the discussion? If there are volunteers, please send me a message. If you want, but you are not sure about the technical issues, we can always co-moderate:-) Otherwise, it will be business as usual.
To sum it up, download the ebook/ find the copy on your bookshelf, move it to your bedside table, stack the bookmarks, and wait ... patiently ... The Dickens weekly fix is coming ...