One of my favourite books by Charles Dickens. I loved the book and the film was just as I had imagined the characters to be. A wonderful classic story..

David Copperfield is a story about growing up.

It is a story about understanding people; it is a story about understanding that our perceptions of people do not always match the reality of that person. We can idealise them. We can believe in them. We can love them. But that does not necessarily mean they are what we believe them to be or what we want them to be.

In classic Dickensian fashion, this is not a happy story; it is one full of hardship and harsh realisations, but it is also one of growth: it is one about the potential of becoming a better and stronger person despite the inherent pain that comes with this thing called life. We can learn from it.

It is a great story, one full of memorable and interesting characters. Some are awkwardly eccentric and some plain villainous. Here the marvel of Dickens shines through because he can capture people so incredibly well: he is the master of description. The way he writes brings all the quirks and individualism of his characters to life. There are few writers who can do this so well and with such a vast multitude of subjects. Each character is unique because the observation skills of his narrators scrutinise and report in such a detailed manner.

I became quite invested in David’s life. I cared about David. I wanted to see the world do him right after his unfortunate early experiences. And the conclusion was everything the story needed to be. But, for me, that is where it all ends. I do not have anything else positive to say because David Copperfield did not make me think nor did it make me consider anything else beyond the plot level. It gave me everything and it left me nothing to chew over.

Let me try to explain myself a little better. To compare this to Great Expectations, a sweeping story of love and tragedy, it is totally vanilla. That book is intriguing and mysterious. There is an element of the unknown. There are shadows that linger over the writing and it is a story that remains with me many years after reading it. It is that powerful. With David Copperfield, though, I feel like I could quite easily (and happily) forget most of what happened here.

It is a story I enjoyed but that is all, so three stars seems about right here. Tepid is the word that comes to mind when I think about David Copperfield.
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Ce să scri despre un asemenea roman al cărui titlu și autor vorbesc de la sine. Doar un sfat.Cine nu a citit-o încă, să o facă pentru că nu va regreta.

Top Ten Tips to Young Ladies of Marriageable Age by Charles Dickens

10.tGiggle alot. Be innocent, stupid, and silly. Flirt with a rival and blush charmingly.
9.tHave an annoying lap dog.
8.tHave a best friend who will act as a go-between. Impecunious and overprotective fathers are to be avoided, but indulgent aunts should be welcomed.
7.tEnsure that the man courting you has the ability to provide for you and your future family. If need be, move to Australia.
6.tStay away, especially, from fortune hunters. Fortune hunters with evil sisters should be avoided like the plague.
5.tStay away, especially, from rich nobles. Rich nobles with evil cousins should be avoided like the plague.
4.tAvoid being young and silly, but learn how to support your husband-to-be in his efforts.
3.tBe pretty.
2.tSuffer in silence. Keep your feelings to yourself, and smile sweetly and lovingly to everyone, never thinking of yourself.

And the NUMBER ONE TIP according to Mr Dickens is

1.tKeep company as a child with a young boy who will regard you as a close sister and eventually grow to adore you and marry you.

Umble we are, umble we have been, umble we shall ever be...
My Personal Favorite Story Ever

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”

So opens the best story ever of a youngster's journey into adulthood and amour. Nearly 20 years after writing David Copperfield, Dickens said, "like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favorite child. And his name is David Copperfield."

Dickens' most colorful a set of characters and character names include: Peggotty, David's childhood maid and lifelong friend; the evil stepfather Murdstone; Wilkins Micawber, his melodramatic landlord; James Steerforth, the cad of a school friend; David's love Dora (“Lovers had loved before, and lovers would love again; but no lover had ever loved, might, could, would, or should ever love, as I loved Dora."); and, the most despicably unctuous character in all of literature, Uriah Heep.

As with most of his novels, Dickens beamed the light on a social evil--here, the working conditions of minors, as David was (8 or 9) when his stepfather took him out of school (after David's mom died) and sent him to work in London.

“I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything.”

I can't adequately describe the connection and identification I had with this novel. While I don't think it's the best novel of all time (structure, conflicts, character development and all that jazz - IMO, that's Anna Karenina*), Charles Dickens' David Copperfield is my pick as the best story in all of modern literature. If you haven't read it or it's been a while, you should pick it up.


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*Tolstoy loved David Copperfield.

I reread this so I could join a friend who was reading Dickens for the first time (she thinks).

Page 424 in my copy is the perfect mixture of what Dickens achieves throughout the whole novel. I noted three instances of chuckle-out-loud humor on that one page alone — David's desire to pitch Uriah over the banister; the character he has dubbed Hamlet’s aunt as having “the family failing of indulging in soliloquy”; and the talk of Blood at a particular dinner table causing him to liken the snobby diners to “a party of ogres” — and of course it is all a relief from previous tragedy, and tragedy to come.

This is also the perfect novel to show Dickens’ not wasting a single one of his numerous characters, and that includes Mr. Mell, someone we do not see or hear of between page 116 and page 992.

Because this was a reread, I noted the foreshadowing especially, which of course didn't mean I remembered all that happened. I'd even forgotten the context of my favorite sentence, coming upon it as if for the first time, which granted me the same thrill I felt upon reading it within its paragraph the very first time.

This is my second huge Dickens book of the year but with this one I had my lovely goodreads friend Dean reading it alongside me. We read a few chapters a day throughout the month and shared our thoughts daily. About half way through I had a health issue which if not for Dean would probably have lead me to quit the book, but he was really understanding and patient, and although I fell a little behind I was able to catch up and enjoy the rest. So a big thank you to him for that.:))

This is my 9th Dickens and although I've really enjoyed it, it's not a favourite even though it was Dickens personal favourite.

There are as ever some brilliant characters here, both good and bad, the thouroughly detestable Uriah Heep who was fantastically well described and the Micawber family who were likeable if very annoying and long winded.
2 of my favourites were Aunt Betsey Trotwood who was so cantankerous in the begining but who David came to for help at the height of his troubles and she supported him and also Mr Peggotty, the old seaman who played such an important role in so many peoples lives.
The story has many threads but as Dickens always does every last one is 'tied up' at the end, even minor characters get their denoument. I said to Dean that it makes me wonder if Dickens didn't write the book from the end and work towards the start because he forgets nobody!!
So all in all a good book which I'd reccomend to everyone.
4*

کتاب دیوید کاپرفیلد را می‌توان معروف‌ترین رمان چارلز دیکنز در نظر گرفت. این رمان با کودکی دیوید که کودک مورد علاقۀ خود چارلز دیکنز نیز هست؛ شروع شده و تا دوره‌ی میان سالی او ادامه می‌یابد.
دیوید شش ماه بعد از مرگ پدرش به دنیا می‌آید. به نوعی نحسی در زندگی این کودک پیش از تولدش شروع شده است. در ابتدای داستان دیوید با مادری مهربان و شیرین و نازنین همراه است تا این که مشکلات زندگی او را وادار می‌کند با مردی به نام موردستون ازدواج کند مردی با رفتاری خشونت‌آمیز که سرانجام دیوید را به مدرسه‌ای بیرون شهر می‌فرستد. مشکلات دیوید ادامه دارد، بعد از مدتی مادر او نیز می‌میرد و… .
چالز دیکنز (Charles Dickens)، دیوید کاپرفیلد (David Copper field) را کودک مورد علاقه خود می‌نامد و منتقدان آن را زیباترین توصیف دیکنز از دوران کودکی می‌دانند. یکی از علل علاقه دیکنز به این رمان شاید این است که حوادث و وقایع این داستان متاثر از رخدادهای زندگی خود اوست.
چارلز دیکنز در سال 1812 در انگلستان به دنیا آمد و در سال 1870 در گذشت. او در زمان کودکى سختى‌هاى بسیار کشید. در سال 1824 پدرش به‌ خاطر بدهى به زندان افتاد و چارلز براى گذران زندگى مجبور به کار در یک کارخانه شد. اینگونه تجربه‌های او در سن کم، در رمان‌هایش نمودی بارز پیدا کرده است. در بیشتر نوشته‌هایش اتفاقات دلخراشی که در انگلستان زمان او روى مى‌داده، توصیف شده است. او نویسنده بزرگ بریتانیایی است و از مفاخر ادبیات انگلیسی به حساب می‌آید. بسیاری از داستان‌های او در دوران کودکی قهرمان‌هایش می‌گذرد. از نوشته‌های دیگر او می‌توان به «اولیور تویست»، «آرزوهای بزرگ» و «سرود کریسمس» اشاره کرد که در تمام آن‌ها نقش نمادین کودک و دوران کودکی آشکار است.

Las obras de Charles Dickens ocupan una posición privilegiada en el Olimpo de la literatura universal. Sus historias y personajes reflejan con una maestría inigualable los movimientos sociales y las luchas de poder que se desarrollaban durante la época victoriana. David Copperfield no es ninguna excepción. La novela, pese a su componente trágico, desprende valores intrínsecos en el ser humano que acompañarán a cada nuevo título del autor: amistad, camaradería, esfuerzo y lealtad. No sorprende comprobar que sus capítulos se leían en voz alta entre soldados durante la I Guerra Mundial, muchos años después de la muerte de Dickens. Esta anécdota supone un magnífico ejemplo de la obra: la búsqueda de luz y felicidad en un entorno plagado de tinieblas.

David Copperfield se encuadra dentro de las novelas de formación, en las que el protagonista relata sus vivencias y el aprendizaje que ha obtenido en cada uno de sus pasos hacia la edad adulta. La novela se inicia precisamente con su nacimiento, y sigue las peripecias de un muchacho que busca su lugar en la sociedad y su identidad en un entorno cambiante, pese a las dificultades que se encuentra por el camino.

Este camino está plagado de personajes inolvidables, y que son precisamente los que coronan a la novela como una de las grandes obras del autor. Cada uno de ellos está dotado de una profundidad que trasciende las barreras de la literatura. Están perfilados con tal perfección que incluso Dickens se permite ciertas licencias caricaturescas que inundan de humor varias escenas de la novela. Tal y como ocurre en la realidad, estos personajes aparecen y desaparecen de la vida de David Copperfield, ofreciéndole una lección que se sumará a su desarrollo individual y formarán al adulto en el que se convertirá. Si algo se les puede achacar, es la previsibilidad con la que realizan sus acciones. Dickens tiene claro cuáles de sus creaciones pertenecen a la categoría del bien, y cuáles se enmarcan dentro del mal. No lo oculta y, pese a que todos cometen errores y se equivocan, esta división de fuerzas tan antagónicas está claramente diferenciada.

Utilizando un tono nostálgico desde sus primeras páginas, el autor narra todo este proceso con una habilidad cercana a la prestidigitación. Te arrastra al Londres del siglo XIX, te sumerge en la pobreza que se respiraba en la ciudad y te acerca a las dificultades que tenía su población para subsistir entre tanta desigualdad. Se siente una obra magnánima, que abarca conceptos vitales y existenciales que tanto cuesta desarrollar con éxito en la literatura. Pese a ello, no puedo catalogarla como una obra redonda: siento que a Dickens le supone un gran esfuerzo cerrar los arcos de sus personajes, por lo que acaba alargando la narración en exceso. Es la primera vez que noto los inconvenientes de una novela publicada por entregas, en la que ya se ha llegado al clímax de la historia, pero aun así se siguen dando vueltas a los mismos temas de forma innecesaria.

David Copperfield y Charles Dickens se entremezclan y fusionan en una narración parcialmente autobiográfica. Tras acabar su lectura, las historias, aventuras, experiencias y observaciones del pequeño Copperfield quedarán retenidas para siempre en la memoria del lector. Tanto si se disfruta en compañía o en soledad, esta novela ofrecerá el mismo calor y cobijo que una chimenea en pleno invierno. Y probablemente te hará reencontrarte con la bondad del ser humano.

"I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child, and his name is David Copperfield" - Charles Dickens.
As a HUGE fan of Sir Charles Dickens, I can't say this is a normal book. This is his most personal one, according to himself.
Why 4 out of 5 stars? Because it was kind of difficult to digest it a bit, I had to go through some pages more than once and try to get the origin of some characters, but most of them are in my head now. Easy to fall in love with them, and the story itself is kind of unforgettable mixing an orphan boy, lovely adventures, interesting trials, among others. If I were a villain someday (hope not), I would like to be like Uriah Heep.
A very nostalgic book, a total must of Classic Literature, I will totally re-read it as soon as I can.
I am very proud of my name being "Charles" in Spanish version, even if it was just by coincidence.
Recommended? Absolutely! It's a Classic! and you can learn a lot of one of the most important all-time writers: Charles Dickens.

David Copperfield I found to be a character driven story and Dicken’s characters are truly “characters” in every sense of the word I found many of them a delight.
Aunt Betsy one of my favorites with her frequent referrals to Betsy (as David was supposed to be a girl) like she really exists. This was an audio book and the narrator captured her indignation perfectly.
There is Uriah Heep so creepily described with his frequent use of the word humble to describe himself (big ole hypocrite) it no longer felt complimentary.
David’s laments of love when falling for Dora both endearing and hilarious.
There is so much to unpack is this novel, I feel Dicken’s novels are not to be rushed. I did enjoy Dicken’s characters and humor with a thoughtful and tidy ending. This was a long one I definitely enjoyed.

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens
(original title: “The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery”)

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What can I say about this magnificent work that has not been said before?

One have to be aware that this book was written 173 years ago.

It was published as a serial or periodical between May of 1849 and November of 1850, and then as a book in 1850.

Charles Dickens is one of my favourite authors, but I confess that only recently I started re-reading his works in the original language (I started with “Tales of Two Cities”, then “Great Expectations” and “Oliver Twist”, so I do have a long way to go).

I read his books translated into Portuguese over 40 years ago, and I believe that those books were abridged - I could be wrong, but I doubt very much.

I always felt envious of people complaining that Dickens was an assignment at school. As I grew up in Brazil, in my time we were only required to read Brazilian or Portuguese literature (and there are plenty of wonderful Brazilian classics).

Anyways… back to Dickens…

This book wordy and long. And it does feel long.

I have several free editions as in e-books (Apple Books, Kindle & Kobo) as well as two different audiobooks, one narrated by Richard Armitage (and how formidable that is! But only available on Audible) plus a hardcover and a paperback.
I kept switching editions just to see the difference on my progress.
The progress in percentage seemed never to change. Now, as for the hardcover, it was a pleasure seeing those pages flipping and “feel” how much I had progressed.

The writing is terrific and so is the development of the storyline.

This is a story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the main character, from childhood to adulthood.

It’s said that David Copperfield is also an autobiographical novel, with events following Dickens's own life.

This novel, as in “Great Expectations”, was written fully in first person narrative. And the storytelling is very engaging, which makes everything feel so real and believable. Plus the characters are very rich and interesting, although not all very likeable.

Thanks to the writing, I was easily transported to that era (Victorian England).
There are some heart breaking moments, as well as a good number of humour.

This is a book to be enjoyed in slow paces, as it was meant back then. A bit today, a bit more tomorrow, but I wanted to read it at once, if I could.

My favourite parts were the first 30% and the last 20% of the book.

My next re-read will be either Bleak House (published after this one) or Hard Times, my top 2 favourite books by Dickens.

Now I’m going to re-watch one of those adaptations for the TV, the 1999 production directed by Simon Curtis, with Daniel Radcliffe as young Copperfield, Maggie Smith as Betsey Trotwood, and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Uriah Heep (I do own a collection of DVDs of TV series adapted from Dickens’ books).

Hardcover (Barnes & Nobles Collector’s Library): 1263 pages (edited by Trevor Blount and original illustrations by H. K. Browne)

Paperback (Penguin Books): 957 pages (1966 edition with original illustrations by H. K. Browne, and introduction and notes by Trevor Blount - reprinted in 1985 by Penguin Classics)

E-book, Kobo (Penguin Classics): 1476 pages (default), 401k words (with original illustrations by H. K. Browne)

Audiobook (Audible), narrated by Richard Armitage: 36h31min (normal speed).

I had originally rated it 4 stars. Reading in English was much better, hence the extra star.

PS. There are several free editions of audiobooks and ebooks available, but not all include the illustrations, foreword, introduction or glossary.
When it comes to classics, I trust Penguin and Oxford University Press.