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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This books absolutely slaps. There was much I didn't expect - mainly the exploration of what we want in a romantic partner vs. what we actually need, which was incredibly moving.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
A friend of mine once said "Dickens was a great writer, but you can tell he was paid by the word." I was reminded of this comment a lot while reading David Copperfield. I'm giving it 4 stars for the elegance of Dickens prose, and for the first third, which I found genuinely captivating and tragic. I did feel that once Copperfield grew up the narrative became too fractured, dropping in on one plot line before hopping over to another. I never felt that invested in David's relationship with Agnes, although she was clearly a better match than Dora (honestly Trottwood, what were you thinking?). I was also expecting more to come of the Emily/Steerforth narrative, but most of the drama there happens "off screen," to borrow a film term. So overall, it was fine, but a bit scattershot in its plotting for my tastes.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
A long, slow, but good read. I especially liked that the book was broken up in a way that showed its original publication spaces in the papers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
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."