David Copperfield (Everyman's Library) Hardcover – November 26, 1991

'Never,' said my aunt, 'be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you.'It is because David Copperfield (Trotwood, to his aunt) embodies these virtues that his character and this book are uplifting when so much of the story is filled with sadness. Despite all the hardships he experiences and all the hardships he sees in life around him, his nobility endures. He not only has the strength to see him through many challenges of heart and pocketbook, he lends his strength to those around him who are in need.The writing is sometimes deeply heartfelt and sometimes buoyantly humorous, but always engaging. Well, maybe not ALWAYS, but much of it is excellent and thought-provoking. I don't think Dickens would fault me for drifting off a time or two in his lengthy classic (which I later regretted). To quote:"I never thought, when I used to read books, what work it was to write them.' 'It's work enough to read them, sometimes,' I [Copperfield] returned. 'As to the writing, it has its own charms, aunt.Dickens always introduces us to unique and engaging characters in his novels, and this novel does not disappoint. I was glad to finish this book, but like him, sad to say farewell to those heroes, and even villains, I had spent so much time with and who he so aptly described.'Clever! She brings everything to a grindstone,' said Steerforth, 'and sharpens it, as she has sharpened her own face and figure these years past. She has worn herself away by constant sharpening. She is all edge.'He is not unaware of his own faults and failings in his journey to manhood.'Mr. Creakle cuts a joke before he beats him, and we laugh at it,—miserable little dogs, we laugh, with our visages as white as ashes, and our hearts sinking into our boots.'There is Dickens' usual commentary on the nature of society and evils it is prone to and the evil its individuals are prone to, as well. His observations are always prescient, and truths, universal.'"Satan finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do."' 'Egad, Doctor,' returned Mr. Wickfield, 'if Doctor Watts knew mankind, he might have written, with as much truth, "Satan finds some mischief still, for busy hands to do." The busy people achieve their full share of mischief in the world, you may rely upon it. What have the people been about, who have been the busiest in getting money, and in getting power, this century or two? No mischief?''It may be profitable to you to reflect, in future, that there never were greed and cunning in the world yet, that did not do too much, and overreach themselves. It is as certain as death.'Of course, he sees much goodness, too.'From my swoon, I first awoke to a consciousness of her compassionate tears, her words of hope and peace, her gentle face bending down as from a purer region nearer Heaven, over my undisciplined heart, and softening its pain.'He has much to say on love and marriage...love and the undisciplined heart, what marriage is founded upon, and the changes and adaptations one must be prepared to make. Things no one knows about or, at least, understands until they have had the experience. Not even Dickens' profound and emotional words can discipline our hearts.I would love to revisit this novel in the future, understanding what I know now..."yet knowing how way leads on to way..."Review by R. E. Admore, author of "Mist and Amethyst"

I couldn’t love it more! Truly, what a story. I’m so thankful to have read it! Dickens’ favorite, they say, and I see why.

I recently re-read Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, and was considering picking up another of his novels. When I saw that a new production of Dickens' semi-autobiographical 1850 novel David Copperfield had just been released narrated by Ralph Cosham, one of my favorite audiobook readers, I eagerly queued the novel up.David Copperfield chronicles the life, from birth to mid-life, of the title character, and is told in first person from Copperfield's point of view. Many elements of Copperfield's life parallel Dickens' own. Child labor, debtors prisons, and endeavors in law, journalism, and writing all have their origins in Dickens' own experience. Other than optimism, Copperfield is largely shaped by the circumstances he finds himself in and the characters he encounters.Dickens does a great job of providing fully-formed secondary characters. Attention is paid to the personality and motivation of virtually everyone Copperfield meets, down to waiters, landlords, and coachmen. My three favorite characters in the novel are Mr. Micawber, Betsey Trotwood, and Uriah Heep. Copperfield lives for a time with Mr. Micawber as a boy, and the pair form a strong connection. Mr. Micawber is characterized by pecuniary difficulties, a taste for the verbose, and faith that something will, in short, turn up. He's amusing whenever he turns up. David's great-aunt Betsey Trotwood is a feisty, strong-willed, no-nonsense woman who is, in fact, quite caring towards those who earn her good graces. Uriah Heep is a despicable clerk, who hides his schemes and ambitions in a cloak of humbleness and subservience. My skin crawled whenever he appeared on scene. In addition to memorable characters, Dickens' crafts some fantastic language in this novel. The dialogue, in particular, is quite good, and many a line will stick with me.The main downside to the story is that there's no central thread to the narrative. While the novel is largely a coming of age story like Dickens' Great Expectation, it lacks any particular goal. Pip strives to become a gentleman and earn Estella's love in Great Expectations, but there's no similar target in Copperfield's mind. He moves from challenge to challenge well enough, but never seems to have any particular direction of his own. While this, most probably, is closer to real life than Pip's goals, it makes for a somewhat meandering novel.I listened to Blackstone Audio's 2012 production of David Copperfield, narrated by Ralph Cosham. Cosham is a favorite narrator of mine, and he does an excellent job here. The novel contains a very large cast of characters, and Cosham manages to make them all sound distinct and memorable. From the despicably conniving and humble Uriah Heep to the solid and seafaring Mr. Peggotty to the adorable and silly Dora, you know as soon as Cosham starts speaking which character you're listening to. Cosham also does a great job of using timing and volume to set a scene. The hands down best example of this is a scene towards the end of the novel featuring Mr. Micawber and Uriah Heep, which is one of my favorite scenes of the novel, in no small part because of Cosham's performance. The unabridged recording runs approximately 34 hours.Dickens' David Copperfield is an excellent novel. The lack of central theme holds it back some, but the many interesting and amusing characters and the memorable dialogue makes it worth reading for anyone looking to give Dickens a go. I highly recommend Cosham's performance of the novel to audiobook fans.Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

I LOVE David Copperfield. It is my all-time favorite Dickens - so far. But when my eyes were weary and I just wanted to play mahjong and chill, while being told a brilliant story - Mr. Armitage sincerely brought his A game. I never listen to full audiobooks. It's for unique occasions only but this edition was truly brilliant and brought each and every character to life. I ended up reading along, relistening to specific chapters, paragraphs that gave a higher meaning to the work, and when I finished the book on my own - I went back and I am listening to it again all the way through while I drive. Really. THis is gold. Thank you RA for bringing Dickens and Copperfield to life in a way I had not heard before. Immense enjoyment. :)