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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
This book started out well, and I breezed through the first quarter of the book pretty easily and enjoyed it. But as David grew into adolescence he started to bore me, and it just got worse and worse. He was so naive and caught up in appearances and his aunt was bonkers and I didn't care about his work or his caretaker's work, and I was annoyed that he didn't go for Agnes and went for that AWFUL Dora (oh my LORD what a whining she drove me crazy) and and and I could go on and on.
Not only that, apparently there were a lot of parts of the book that I just flat out missed. Today I read a bit about what happened online and there were definitely important parts that I totally didn't catch happened at all, or that I completely misunderstood what was going on. I partly ascribe that to the old fashioned, fancy tone of the writing, and partly because I was half asleep while reading it because I was bored. Oh well.
Anyway, I've read it, and now I know what it was about. By the way, someone a long time ago told me that this book was about a magician, and I kept waiting for David to turn into a magician, or come across a magician. This never happened, and I was disappointed. Turns out, there is a person who is alive NOW who is a magician and calls himself David Copperfield. So whoever it was many, many years ago who told me this book was about a magician was obviously confused. But I do wish there had been some magic in this story - it might have made it more interesting...
Not only that, apparently there were a lot of parts of the book that I just flat out missed. Today I read a bit about what happened online and there were definitely important parts that I totally didn't catch happened at all, or that I completely misunderstood what was going on. I partly ascribe that to the old fashioned, fancy tone of the writing, and partly because I was half asleep while reading it because I was bored. Oh well.
Anyway, I've read it, and now I know what it was about. By the way, someone a long time ago told me that this book was about a magician, and I kept waiting for David to turn into a magician, or come across a magician. This never happened, and I was disappointed. Turns out, there is a person who is alive NOW who is a magician and calls himself David Copperfield. So whoever it was many, many years ago who told me this book was about a magician was obviously confused. But I do wish there had been some magic in this story - it might have made it more interesting...
This was my first Charles Dickens book.
Dickens has a way with words. His writing style is beautiful—a few of my new favorite sentences are found in this book. I’d say one of Dickens’ strongest literary skills is foreshadowing, which made the story very suspenseful. “David Copperfield” is also full of wit, social commentary, interesting characters, and life lessons.
I loved the whole beginning about David Copperfield’s childhood, even though it was dark and heart-wrenching. I just thought it was so interesting to read about adult topics from the perspective of a young boy, and I was so invested in his escape from abuse. I loved Copperfield’s tone as a narrator and how it felt like he was sitting beside me, showing me his life story as the events were unfolding. I loved the lighthearted chapters about Copperfield’s first loves, like Miss Larkins. I loved the Mr. Peggoty/Emily subplot, how she was like his “prodigal son” whom he loved unconditionally, how he never gave up searching for her until he found her. I loved Martha’s redemption, too. I loved the life lessons: money doesn’t equal happiness; never be mean, false, or cruel; “a crust well earned [is] sweeter far than a feast inherited”; “the cottage of content [is] better than the palace of cold splendor”; “try not to associate bodily defects with mental”; don’t judge, and more.
But as much as I love this book, I do have a couple complaints: Dora is annoying, Agnes is too perfect, there were too many convenient coincidences (like how in the whole city of London, David keeps running into the same handful of people from his childhood), and some subplots were boring. It took me a LONG time to read this book—and I know it’s so long because Dickens’ books were published serially—but dragging the story out so much made some parts a little tedious for me. I’ll admit that I skimmed some chapters. But I still think it’s worth it to push through and read it
Dickens has a way with words. His writing style is beautiful—a few of my new favorite sentences are found in this book. I’d say one of Dickens’ strongest literary skills is foreshadowing, which made the story very suspenseful. “David Copperfield” is also full of wit, social commentary, interesting characters, and life lessons.
I loved the whole beginning about David Copperfield’s childhood, even though it was dark and heart-wrenching. I just thought it was so interesting to read about adult topics from the perspective of a young boy, and I was so invested in his escape from abuse. I loved Copperfield’s tone as a narrator and how it felt like he was sitting beside me, showing me his life story as the events were unfolding. I loved the lighthearted chapters about Copperfield’s first loves, like Miss Larkins. I loved the Mr. Peggoty/Emily subplot, how she was like his “prodigal son” whom he loved unconditionally, how he never gave up searching for her until he found her. I loved Martha’s redemption, too. I loved the life lessons: money doesn’t equal happiness; never be mean, false, or cruel; “a crust well earned [is] sweeter far than a feast inherited”; “the cottage of content [is] better than the palace of cold splendor”; “try not to associate bodily defects with mental”; don’t judge, and more.
But as much as I love this book, I do have a couple complaints: Dora is annoying, Agnes is too perfect, there were too many convenient coincidences (like how in the whole city of London, David keeps running into the same handful of people from his childhood), and some subplots were boring. It took me a LONG time to read this book—and I know it’s so long because Dickens’ books were published serially—but dragging the story out so much made some parts a little tedious for me. I’ll admit that I skimmed some chapters. But I still think it’s worth it to push through and read it
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really good, funny and enjoyable, but it was just too long. Felt like a slog to get through second half. Ended just a little too neat and tidy after 800 pages of messiness.
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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 175 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).
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.
Made it to chapter 9 of audiobook and I also mixed it with ebook.
too long and to be honest I didn't care anymore. I did enjoy the part when he was a kid but after that I don't know if I can keep going. I don't want reading it to feel like a chore.
We'll see if I will pick up this book and read it again. Maybe not again because I lack interest.
too long and to be honest I didn't care anymore. I did enjoy the part when he was a kid but after that I don't know if I can keep going. I don't want reading it to feel like a chore.
We'll see if I will pick up this book and read it again. Maybe not again because I lack interest.