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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I do not know why I had never read this book before. First and foremost, be prepared that it is epically long. Secondly, it was a surprisingly funny and enjoyable read. The intro by Charles Dickens states that David Copperfield is his favorite, and I feel like you can genuinely feel the heart that went in to this story about a boy growing into a man. There are many characters who come and go and come again, and each one is unique and entertaining. Read it.
UPDATE: Read this book again in preparation for Demon Copperhead, and it still holds up. I laughed out loud several times in the first third. It is still crazy long (and not a fast read), but so good.
UPDATE: Read this book again in preparation for Demon Copperhead, and it still holds up. I laughed out loud several times in the first third. It is still crazy long (and not a fast read), but so good.
35/70 for Mama in 2021
It took me five or six years to finally finish this book, but it wasn’t for lack of enjoyment. Dickens remains remarkable for his aptitude in capturing the delightful weirdness of humanity. This book in so many ways is about absolutely nothing, and a lengthy one at that! But for me it was worth the endeavor for the quirky character studies alone. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage, and he brought these characters to life in the most wonderful ways.
It took me five or six years to finally finish this book, but it wasn’t for lack of enjoyment. Dickens remains remarkable for his aptitude in capturing the delightful weirdness of humanity. This book in so many ways is about absolutely nothing, and a lengthy one at that! But for me it was worth the endeavor for the quirky character studies alone. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage, and he brought these characters to life in the most wonderful ways.
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Nicholas Boulton.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Audio format. Narrator: The astounding, incomparable Richard Armitage.
After reading Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" (560 pages/21 hours 3 minutes audio)(Another fabulous audiobook), I determined to finally conquer "David Copperfield" (36 hours and 31 minutes/1264 pages) With a writer whose books range from the quick read "A Christmas Carol (144 pages)" to, well, "David Copperfield," I've just never taken this one on. I certainly agree with many readers who point out that David Copperfield wanders down multiple paths that are unnecessary to the story. However, I'm one of those people who enjoyed the various threads, the array of characters, the settings (mostly in England) and the story.
I am not going to say too much because I don't want to write a 100 page review, but this is the book that brings us Uriah Heap. Even as a person who never read the book, I somehow knew a lot about this writhing "humble" villain. I also had always known about David Copperfield's first wife, "Little Dora," who dies young and never really grew up. I'm thinking I must have seen a movie of this as many were made but none could capture the many diversions in the novel and what a loss.
It was a lot of fun, spotting the characters Barbara Kingsolver recreated and she was quite faithful to the arc of Dickens' tale. Dickens gave the many characters populating the story depth, humor, villainy and even if the wandering seems excessive to you, I think great characters, fully birthed hat makes the time spent reading this novel worthwhile. And because of their thorough development and Richard Armitage's amazing gift for voicing each character perfectly I had no problem remembering each one. While this is something of a rags to riches story, David has connections and lands well young enough to both understand and navigate hardship while forging ahead to prosperity. Dickens wrote strong, unconventional women, meant to be admired. He creates this coming of age story showing a boy who is imperfect but holds to solid values that serve him well. The is a lot of social commentary that ranged from laugh out loud funny to heartbreaking. Every character we care about is brought to resolution of some sort, which I appreciate. Every thread is completed. Including, of course the central story of David himself. I am so glad Kingsolver wrote her totally engaging book that drove me to take the time for Dickens.
After reading Barbara Kingsolver's "Demon Copperhead" (560 pages/21 hours 3 minutes audio)(Another fabulous audiobook), I determined to finally conquer "David Copperfield" (36 hours and 31 minutes/1264 pages) With a writer whose books range from the quick read "A Christmas Carol (144 pages)" to, well, "David Copperfield," I've just never taken this one on. I certainly agree with many readers who point out that David Copperfield wanders down multiple paths that are unnecessary to the story. However, I'm one of those people who enjoyed the various threads, the array of characters, the settings (mostly in England) and the story.
I am not going to say too much because I don't want to write a 100 page review, but this is the book that brings us Uriah Heap. Even as a person who never read the book, I somehow knew a lot about this writhing "humble" villain. I also had always known about David Copperfield's first wife, "Little Dora," who dies young and never really grew up. I'm thinking I must have seen a movie of this as many were made but none could capture the many diversions in the novel and what a loss.
It was a lot of fun, spotting the characters Barbara Kingsolver recreated and she was quite faithful to the arc of Dickens' tale. Dickens gave the many characters populating the story depth, humor, villainy and even if the wandering seems excessive to you, I think great characters, fully birthed hat makes the time spent reading this novel worthwhile. And because of their thorough development and Richard Armitage's amazing gift for voicing each character perfectly I had no problem remembering each one. While this is something of a rags to riches story, David has connections and lands well young enough to both understand and navigate hardship while forging ahead to prosperity. Dickens wrote strong, unconventional women, meant to be admired. He creates this coming of age story showing a boy who is imperfect but holds to solid values that serve him well. The is a lot of social commentary that ranged from laugh out loud funny to heartbreaking. Every character we care about is brought to resolution of some sort, which I appreciate. Every thread is completed. Including, of course the central story of David himself. I am so glad Kingsolver wrote her totally engaging book that drove me to take the time for Dickens.
By far my favorite Dickens. Was it rather verbose? Of course! It’s Dickens! But Dickens writes fantastic characters and these were lovely. So many of them felt so familiar. Dickens was a master of making you know exactly who a person was, because you feel like you know somebody like that.
(Spoilers!) Uriah Heap is possibly by new favorite villain, as I think we all know someone a little like him. Mr McCormah (pardon misspelling, audio book) was one of the best comic relievers I have read in a long time. I’m glad everything turned out ok for them in the end.
And, I’ll admit it, I was relieved this one wasn’t leaping from bad luck to bad luck (which was how Oliver Twist felt) Certainly worth the listen.
(Spoilers!) Uriah Heap is possibly by new favorite villain, as I think we all know someone a little like him. Mr McCormah (pardon misspelling, audio book) was one of the best comic relievers I have read in a long time. I’m glad everything turned out ok for them in the end.
And, I’ll admit it, I was relieved this one wasn’t leaping from bad luck to bad luck (which was how Oliver Twist felt) Certainly worth the listen.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I get such joy from Dickens' novels! I took forever getting through David Copperfield as I read it on my phone, but I loved it so. Extraordinary characters and rambling, rollicking story lines. My favourite character is Mr Peggotty, a strong, faithful and kind man who shows uncommon loyalty and perseverance. Many books have a single love story at the centre, but for me, this book is about the love and faithfulness of a whole host of characters I have become heartily attached to.
It seems sacrilegious somehow to give Dickens only two stars but I kind of slogged my way through this one--by the end I wanted to stick a piece of duct tape over Mr. Micawber's mouth. Overall I also found that Copperfield's naïveté wore on me. Ah well.