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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like many people, I returned to David Copperfield because of Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead. I first read this story as a teenager but enjoyed it much more on this return visit. I loved the first person narration and found the book much funnier than I expected. As with most Victorian novels, the culture of the time is reflected and the languages used to describe people is often prejudicial read today. However, the character of Copperfield does challenge many of the values of the time for example, by questioning the treatment of women of the effectiveness of the prison system.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Mental illness
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I first read Dickens when I was a young teenager and find myself coming back to him time and again. He writes beautifully, his characters are amusing and engaging, and there is always something new to discover on re-reading them.
This time I was reading Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, which is closely modelled on David Copperfield, so thought it was time to take another look. I was not disappointed. Although the book, at over one thousand pages, is very long, it was a delight to read it and (allowing for them being a little bit of a caricature, as befitting a Victorian novel), the characters jumped off the page as if it had been written yesterday.
Of course, it remains a Victorian novel with all the melodrama and societal values of that time that that implies. But actually, I found that it held up a mirror to our own society and perhaps especially with regard to social mobility, tacking poverty and the prison system showed that we are perhaps not as progressive as we might think.
An enjoyable read, with the added bonus that I'm going to enjoy the second half of Demon Copperhead even more.
This time I was reading Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, which is closely modelled on David Copperfield, so thought it was time to take another look. I was not disappointed. Although the book, at over one thousand pages, is very long, it was a delight to read it and (allowing for them being a little bit of a caricature, as befitting a Victorian novel), the characters jumped off the page as if it had been written yesterday.
Of course, it remains a Victorian novel with all the melodrama and societal values of that time that that implies. But actually, I found that it held up a mirror to our own society and perhaps especially with regard to social mobility, tacking poverty and the prison system showed that we are perhaps not as progressive as we might think.
An enjoyable read, with the added bonus that I'm going to enjoy the second half of Demon Copperhead even more.
Welcome to my "Books That Changed Me" reading list! The books on this list are not necessarily the best books I've ever read, although some are, but are rather novels that changed the way I view literature, how I read, or influenced me in some way during a period of my life. Please be warned: some of the review/commentary may contain spoilers!
Why is this a "Book That Changed Me":
I am only slightly sheepish to admit that around my Junior year in college I hadn't really read a classic outside of the school curriculum. David Copperfield marks my first foray into Classics - and I define the term as books written prior to the 20th Century - that was not an assigned read.
I had finished my year abroad in France and was going on a three month tour of Europe. My boyfriend at the time and I found a used bookstore that had a whole stack of books in English for cheap. Only problem was most of the those books were by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Danielle Steele and more than a few copies of Moby Dick. Slim pickings from those of us facing long train rides.
Now please don't get the idea that I have something against Classic Literature (and yes, I used caps). I loved reading The Scarlet Letter, all the Mark Twain's, and even Great Expectations in high school. In fact, there really wasn't a book assigned for English that I didn't adore. However, I also really liked the analysis and reading comprehension we did in class. Looking for themes, symbolism, and metaphors was my forte. I loved discussing books, reading them out loud - even writing papers about them didn't bother me.
So when I faced reading my first "Classic" outside of the school setting, I was a little scared. Would I enjoy it? And more importantly, would I even understand it? What if the real reason I enjoyed these books from high school was not only because I didn't have much choice in the reading material and wanted to get a good grade in class, but because there was an instructor "safety net" there to guide us and urge us to think about the bigger scope of the novel? I had no safety net while on a 7 hour train ride between Amsterdam and Berlin. I just had myself. And I am the type of person who cannot abide a boring book, or worse, a book I don't completely "get".
Thus, I proceeded to read my long and hefty copy of David Copperfield with caution. And much to my surprise, I absolutely enjoyed it. Not only that, I found it extremely funny. My boyfriend finished it after me and we both remarked that Dickens was skilled at combining humor with social commentary. We became our own discussion group- I didn't need class. It might sound silly to some, but as I finished the book I found myself relieved. Gone were the fears of facing a copy of Moby Dick or Dracula (the latter I read recently and also loved) and feeling lost. In short, I embarked on the journey of Reading Classic Literature for Fun.
PS- I followed up the Dickens with Pride and Prejudice while on our trip and have proclaimed myself a "Jane-ite" for life. And I've never looked back!
Why is this a "Book That Changed Me":
I am only slightly sheepish to admit that around my Junior year in college I hadn't really read a classic outside of the school curriculum. David Copperfield marks my first foray into Classics - and I define the term as books written prior to the 20th Century - that was not an assigned read.
I had finished my year abroad in France and was going on a three month tour of Europe. My boyfriend at the time and I found a used bookstore that had a whole stack of books in English for cheap. Only problem was most of the those books were by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Danielle Steele and more than a few copies of Moby Dick. Slim pickings from those of us facing long train rides.
Now please don't get the idea that I have something against Classic Literature (and yes, I used caps). I loved reading The Scarlet Letter, all the Mark Twain's, and even Great Expectations in high school. In fact, there really wasn't a book assigned for English that I didn't adore. However, I also really liked the analysis and reading comprehension we did in class. Looking for themes, symbolism, and metaphors was my forte. I loved discussing books, reading them out loud - even writing papers about them didn't bother me.
So when I faced reading my first "Classic" outside of the school setting, I was a little scared. Would I enjoy it? And more importantly, would I even understand it? What if the real reason I enjoyed these books from high school was not only because I didn't have much choice in the reading material and wanted to get a good grade in class, but because there was an instructor "safety net" there to guide us and urge us to think about the bigger scope of the novel? I had no safety net while on a 7 hour train ride between Amsterdam and Berlin. I just had myself. And I am the type of person who cannot abide a boring book, or worse, a book I don't completely "get".
Thus, I proceeded to read my long and hefty copy of David Copperfield with caution. And much to my surprise, I absolutely enjoyed it. Not only that, I found it extremely funny. My boyfriend finished it after me and we both remarked that Dickens was skilled at combining humor with social commentary. We became our own discussion group- I didn't need class. It might sound silly to some, but as I finished the book I found myself relieved. Gone were the fears of facing a copy of Moby Dick or Dracula (the latter I read recently and also loved) and feeling lost. In short, I embarked on the journey of Reading Classic Literature for Fun.
PS- I followed up the Dickens with Pride and Prejudice while on our trip and have proclaimed myself a "Jane-ite" for life. And I've never looked back!
This book took me a long time, but it was worth it! The edition I read was about 800 pages (Modern Library paperback). It is a great story with a few powerful themes that speak into the modern world. David Copperfield struggles with imposter syndrome, betrayal, a mismatched marriage, neglect, and many setbacks outside his control. Despite all his struggle he never gives into, or is even tempted by cynicism. Funny as it may seem, in many ways young Copperfield reminded me of Harry Potter (I know that is an anachronistic way to state it, but I read HP first).
So many great quotes, but one of my favorites came from chapter 59:
"That what such people miscall their religion, is a vent for their bad humours and arrogance. And do you know I must say... that I DON’T find authority for (them) in the New Testament?’
‘I never found it either!’ said I."
So many great quotes, but one of my favorites came from chapter 59:
"That what such people miscall their religion, is a vent for their bad humours and arrogance. And do you know I must say... that I DON’T find authority for (them) in the New Testament?’
‘I never found it either!’ said I."
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF.
I enjoyed the first-person perspective.
The wit, the humor, the poetry in Dicken’s writing is absent here. Those elements will usually make the dry portions interesting and pleasant, but with none here then. It was a long and slow read.
It starts out fast: death and misery. A hard time for young naive David as he’s passed around, mistreated and neglected. Then it slows to crawl.
Maybe it gets better, but there’s a point when nothing significant happening for chapters and chapters.
Up to the point I read, the usual Dickensian colorful characters are mosty missing. Uriah may be only strange one.
“ In fact,’ said Mrs. Micawber, lowering her voice,—‘this is between ourselves—our reception was cool.’
‘Dear me!’ I said.”
Edit:
Skimming...skimming...
“Her life will be well employed! Useful and happy, as she said that day!”
“When I loved her—“. Wait, no longer? This is the problem of skimming.
Edit:
Wait, that doesn’t make sense. She made deathbed promise, but then made no effort. That’s not cute.
Edit:
Not much in lessons here except bad things happen, and good things happen.
“Did it change her much?” We asked.
“Aye, for a good long time,” he said...
“but I think the solitoode done her good...”
Edit:
“...thus they wear their time away,”
I enjoyed the first-person perspective.
The wit, the humor, the poetry in Dicken’s writing is absent here. Those elements will usually make the dry portions interesting and pleasant, but with none here then. It was a long and slow read.
It starts out fast: death and misery. A hard time for young naive David as he’s passed around, mistreated and neglected. Then it slows to crawl.
Maybe it gets better, but there’s a point when nothing significant happening for chapters and chapters.
Up to the point I read, the usual Dickensian colorful characters are mosty missing. Uriah may be only strange one.
“ In fact,’ said Mrs. Micawber, lowering her voice,—‘this is between ourselves—our reception was cool.’
‘Dear me!’ I said.”
Edit:
Skimming...skimming...
“Her life will be well employed! Useful and happy, as she said that day!”
“When I loved her—“. Wait, no longer? This is the problem of skimming.
Edit:
Wait, that doesn’t make sense. She made deathbed promise, but then made no effort. That’s not cute.
Edit:
Not much in lessons here except bad things happen, and good things happen.
“Did it change her much?” We asked.
“Aye, for a good long time,” he said...
“but I think the solitoode done her good...”
Edit:
“...thus they wear their time away,”
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No