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.

“This narrative is my written memory”, declares David Copperfield in the last section of this elephantine novel, a sentence that strongly implies an autobiographical imprint of the author in the making of his famous middle-class hero. But is that aspect what I most value of this work?
Far from it.
This thick volume is quite an ambitious journey: partly a comic story, which often verges on a tale for children, and partly a picaresque book tinged with distinctive dramatic intention that fluctuates in the cyclical calamities and climaxes that sway a long list of memorable characters back and forth in the tide of Dickens’ fluent storytelling.
Marriage, friendship, betrayal, the multifarious forms of parenthood, and the eternal battle between good and evil are the axes around which the personal growth of naive, almost seraphic-like David will revolve.

As I followed David from boyhood to adulthood and all the tragedies and unexpected gifts life throws on his way, I started to wonder about his real role in the story.
Is David the “real protagonist”?
Or is he a mere bystander, a passive witness that chronicles events unfolding around him without taking action in them?
Maybe the real protagonists are the motley array of characters, so rich in description and recognizable for the repetitive idiomatic expressions that identify their eccentricities and foibles that make them unique….irreplaceable.
Peggotty’s mother’s love, in spite of her being childless, Uriah Heep’s humble meanness, Mr. Micawer’s bountiful utterances, the always willin’ Barkis, Mr. Dick’s innocent intelligence, Mrs Gummidge’s repetitive lament “I’m a lone lorn creetur and everything goes contrairy with me”, Dora’s childish capriciousness, Agnes’ patient wisdom, Mr. Peggotty’s huge heart…
This extended cast of characters paints the canvas of intricate humanity on David’s quiet countenance, transfiguring him into a mirror that reflects the reader’s own nature staring back in his eye, with all his vices and virtues glowing with renewed light. David doesn’t move forward the pace of the narrative, he is the moving point on which everything else; plot, characters, essence; converges.

But for this particular reader, David Copperfield goes beyond the realm of literary fiction; he has won a permanent place in my personal journey towards wholeness. He is a role model to look up to. His observant glance bespeaks of obstinate compassion and blind (blindness is not always bad!) faith in mankind, of the virtuous circle of goodwill and good intention, of the power of positive attitude in front of adversity.
There is not an ounce of cheap sentimentalism in the numerous pages of this epic tale, but one will find an overdose of tenderness and smart humor that shine with intelligence and soul, that dares to approach life and its archetypical structures from other perspectives, that embraces those who are different as dear life.
The concept of family has drastically expanded and reached a superior level for me. Family is now an unknown “valley, with the evening sun shining on the remote heights of snow, that close it in, like eternal clouds”, an open door that welcomes the future, wherever it might lead me.

David Copperfield is probably the one of the most autobiographical novels by Charles Dickens. This is basically the story as told by David Copperfield as he writes his life story in the middle-age of his life until he has nothing left to tell. In the Preface, it is said by David Copperfield:

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"Instead of looking back, therefore, I will look forward. I cannot close this Volume more agreeably to myself, than with a hopeful glance towards the time when I shall again put forth my two green leaves once a month, and with a faithful remembrance of the genial sun and showers that have fallen on these leaves of 'David Copperfield,' and made me happy."

n LONDON, October, 1850

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

n

David Copperfield is very much a character-driven novel although there are multiple plot lines with many stories and characters intersecting over time in very surprising ways as Charles Dickens does best. It is basically the story of David Copperfield from his birth and through the adventures of his life where he is forced into an impoverished childhood by many conflicting circumstances forcing him to make his own way at an early age. And it is in this process that a wide array of colorful characters explode from the pages. There is tragedy and comedy throughout this beloved classic as we make our way on the journey as put forth by David Copperfield. There are so many poignant and unforgettable passages in this very long, but enjoyable, tome as we make our way through the momentous journey of David Copperfield.

David Copperfield is a convolutedly grotesque and darkly satirical Bildungsroman.
First of all, David Copperfield is a colourful collection of inimitable characters. And we pass through this flowery assembly as through the gallery of images taken from Hieronymus Bosch’s canvases…

The gloomy taint that was in the Murdstone blood, darkened the Murdstone religion, which was austere and wrathful. I have thought, since, that its assuming that character was a necessary consequence of Mr. Murdstone’s firmness, which wouldn’t allow him to let anybody off from the utmost weight of the severest penalties he could find any excuse for. Be this as it may, I well remember the tremendous visages with which we used to go to church, and the changed air of the place. Again the dreaded Sunday comes round, and I file into the old pew first, like a guarded captive brought to a condemned service.

Edward Murdstone is like a slab of blind bigotry and he is an epitome of cruelty and human meanness.

As I came back, I saw Uriah Heep shutting up the office; and, feeling friendly towards everybody, went in and spoke to him, and at parting, gave him my hand. But oh, what a clammy hand his was! as ghostly to the touch as to the sight! I rubbed mine afterwards, to warm it, and to rub his off.
It was such an uncomfortable hand, that, when I went to my room, it was still cold and wet upon my memory. Leaning out of window, and seeing one of the faces on the beam-ends looking at me sideways, I fancied it was Uriah Heep got up there somehow, and shut him out in a hurry.

Uriah Heep is the slimiest creature I’ve ever met in literature or anywhere else.
And David Copperfield passes through this swarm of villains like a martyr through a series of the unavoidable and harrowing ordeals.
As a piece of ore should pass through the furnace to become a metal, so a boy should pass through the process of coming of age to become a man.

Actual rating is 3.5 stars.

This is considered a classic and is a work of fiction. Even though it is a work of fiction it is more an autobiography of the author's life as he deals with an uncaring step parent, child labor, and classism during Victorian times.

This was a difficult one to rate for me. I can see why this is a beloved classic by many as the author does an amazing job with his writing. The vivid descriptions, the fantastic cast of characters, and dealing with issues of the time are dealt with perfectly. I might not read a book by an author that has a better grasp of the English language or with memorable characters both caring and villainous. The problem for me was the overall story as I would find some of it very tedious. I think this was due to the length of the novel as I feel some of the novel was just not needed. I can read about someone's life if I found it more interesting but I didn't find Copperfield's life extraordinary. I understand that the author's intent was to bring forth the issues of the time but some of these issues didn't land with me.

I am glad I read this classic book but this might be a case of its not the book but it is the reader. This was my first Dickens read and I did admire his use of the written word. But I read for escapism and this book wasn't fictiony (I know this isn't a real word but it does get my point across) enough for me and I just couldn't totally connect with the book. At times I did find myself wandering off and not really caring about the proceedings. Like I said this book wasn't really up my alley for books but I can see why it is a personal favorite for others.

This is in my top 10 books.

I wish that I could form a more articulate review of this book but I think that it has to rattle around in my brain for a few months first. I approached David Copperfield with trepidation. I was concerned that it would be too sad and too much like Great Expectations which I hated in high school. Because I love A Tale of Two Cities, however, I gave it a chance when it suggested itself to me again and again in the last year.

David is the hero of his own story but not without considerable help from the best kind of family and friends. This text is inspirational and encouraging while also drawing back the veil on the very serious problems plaguing Victorian England.

Dickens does several things brilliantly in this long but exciting story. First, his characters are very interesting. He employs a variety of techniques to drawn his characters but he gives us just enough substance about each to really invest in them and their storylines.

Second, Dickens has a keen wit about how to tell a tragic story in a way that feels light, hopeful and often funny. I appreciate his ability to keep the reader at the table and not torture them while they are there. There is no doubting the seriousness of the situations that David must walk through but we are filled with a sense that he will come out of it alright because the goodness and decency of minor heroes will do what kindness they can to keep the embers of his hope alive.

Thirdly, Dickens tells us enough of the subplots to be interested in what happens to nearly everyone. While the story is about Davey it is also about all of the people who are recalled to his memory in the final pages of the book. This story would not be what it is without Steerforth and Rosa, the Peggoty's, Mr. Dick, the Strong's, the Murdstone's, Traddles, The Micawber's, Agnes and her father, Dora and her father, and dear old Ham, Emily and all those at Yarmouth. Typically I lose track of the names of characters and have to look them up when I come to write a review. Not in this case. Each of these names evokes a strong set of memories for me and have a place in my heart.

Finally, Dickens has an artful way of working out the truth. Whether it is the truth that Davey must learn about relationships and marriage or the truth that his dear aunt must learn about men and their value or the truth that we the reader must grapple with pertaining to the vile conditions for many children, elderly, ill and poor in Victorian England, Dickens leads us there in such a way that we were happy to make the journey.

I love this book. I have many lessons still to learn from it. I cannot wait to share it with my children when they are on the brink of adulthood and are cultivating meaningful relationships outside the home.

Well that was brilliant. A host of glorious characters, wonderful plotlines and beautiful writing, even better on a reread!
(Also, I think Tommy Traddles is quite possibly the best character in existence.)

Apesar das mais de setecentas páginas, lê-se que é uma beleza; não lhe encontrei passagens enfadonhas e nunca me entediou. É verdade que alguns momentos podiam ter sido menos sentimentalões, que alguns desfechos só foram possíveis por excesso de bonomia do autor, ou que no final acabou tudo demasiado certinho.
Mas essa sempre foi a essência Dickensiana; através das piores provações a que sujeita as suas personagens, quase sempre em cenários grotescos e decadentes, denunciar a injustiça social e a maldade exercida sobre os mais desfavorecidos - em particular as crianças. Reserva sempre um lugar especial para aqueles cuja moral não quebra, cujo altroísmo se faz sentir de forma desinteressada, e que contribuem para num último remate compor um final justo e feliz, e deixar no coração de cada leitor um sentimento de satisfação.

I first read "David Copperfield" as a hard-cover almost seventy years ago *sigh*.

It was in 1953, I was 12 and in grade 7 at a junior seminary college. Charles Dickens was an "approved" author and we were reading "David Copperfield" for the first time. I remember that one of the kids in my class referred to Mr Micawber as "Mr Micabaw". Quite uncharitably (tut-tut), we all laughed at him, so he continued saying "Micabaw"!

I loved David Copperfield then, and doubtless I will love it again as I listen to it on audiobook!

(Edited 26/09/22)

“I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything”
― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield



'David Copperfield' contains more saints per capita than any beatified book by Butler. Dickens is amazing in his ability to be both grand and personal. David Copperfield is sprawling, with dozens of threads that weave around David Copperfield's youth and adulthood. IT is amazing not only how he can transform a character through time, but also show that our perceptions of those same characters are drawn often from imperfect information and overly simple assumptions. Yes, there are parts of 'David Copperfield' that float between the melodramatic and the grotesque, but one doesn't read Dickens for the unmoving, normal or embellished. There are a handful of novels that I would consider to be the literary equivalent of scripture: 'Les Miserables', 'the Idiot', 'Anna Karenina', and for sure 'David Copperfield'.

There are several moments in 'David Copperfield' when, as a reader, you recognize you will never be half the writer Dickens was (on deadline). He might just be second to Shakespeare in my book, or at least be among a small cadre of writers that belong on the silver pedestal below the Bard.

This isn't as technically perfect as 'Great Expectations', but it is top tier Dickens for sure. A massive novel that floats with the weight of a beach read half its size. If you are going to read a Dickens, this might not be your first stop, but it shouldn't be far from your second.

David Copperfield is an early queer novel by Charles Dickens. It follows David Copperfield, a gay man in early 19th century England, as he tries to seduce and betroth another gay man, James Steerforth. Copperfield first sets his eyes on Steerforth at Salem House where they both must subdue their love for each other, giving their age difference and the society of the time. However, as the novel progresses, Copperfield and Steerforth live openly as a homosexual couple.

Their relationship comes into peril when Dora Spenlow, a jealous fag hag, refuses to continue living as Copperfield's beard and forces him to marry her. Thus, Copperfield and Steerforth break apart. All seems lost until Copperfield befriends Tommy Traddles, another boy whose acquaintance he had made at Salem House. They partake in a salubrious love affair to which Dickens pens several hundred pages of steamy man-on-man action. However, once again this relationship is cast into peril by that bitter old queen Uriah Heep.

Uriah Heep is a mean gay and the epitome of masc4masc culture. Heep sees Copperfield as fit young otter and attempts to kill off Traddles by throwing pearls beneath his feet à la Showgirls. However his plan is spoiled after his findom daddy, Mr. Micawber (the man who famously threw the first brick at Stonewall), repossess his pearls because Heep refuses to send him any more daguerreotypes of his feet.

Or, in other words:

David Copperfield is more of the same from Dickens. More straight-forward than some of his previous novels, Dickens instead relies on verisimilitude rather than ridiculousness in order to tell this story. It is a pity as the more outrageous Dickens is, the more I enjoy him. However, despite this novel only receiving three-stars from me, it is still better than most novels ever written. It is only 'three-stars' within Dickens' own bibliography and not the greater Western canon. It probably would have been four-stars if he had included more chapters with Miss Mowcher.

"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.