Dickens worked on David Copperfield for two years between 1848 and 1850, carefully planning out the plot and structure. Seven novels precede it, and seven novels would come after it, Copperfield being his mid-point novel. The story deals with the life of David Copperfield from childhood to maturity. David is born in England in about 1820. David's father had died six months before he was born, and seven years later, his mother marries Mr Edward Murdstone. David is given good reason to dislike his stepfather and has ... Read More
Dickens worked on David Copperfield for two years between 1848 and 1850, carefully planning out the plot and structure. Seven novels precede it, and seven novels would come after it, Copperfield being his mid-point novel. The story deals with the life of David Copperfield from childhood to maturity. David is born in England in about 1820. David's father had died six months before he was born, and seven years later, his mother marries Mr Edward Murdstone. David is given good reason to dislike his stepfather and has similar feelings for Mr Murdstone's sister Jane, who moves into the house soon afterwards. Mr Murdstone thrashes David for falling behind with his studies. Following one of these thrashings, David bites him and is sent away to a boarding school, Salem House, with a ruthless headmaster, Mr. Creakle. Here he befriends James Steerforth and Tommy Traddles, both of whom he meets again later on. David returns home for the holidays to find out that his mother has had a baby boy. Soon after David goes back to Salem House, his mother and her baby die and David has to return home immediately. Mr. Murdstone sends him to work in a factory in London, of which Murdstone is a joint owner. The grim reality of hand-to-mouth factory existence echoes Dickens' own travails in a blacking factory. His landlord, Wilkins Micawber, is sent to a debtor's prison (the King's Bench Prison) after going bankrupt, and is there for several months before being released and moving to Plymouth. David now has nobody left to care for him in London, and decides to run away. Read Less
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Great Illustrated Classics) to cart. $0.99, like new condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1992 by Playmore Inc. Publishers.
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Wordsworth Classics) to cart. $0.99, very good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1997 by Wordsworth Editions Ltd.
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Very Good condition book with a firm cover and clean pages. Shows normal use and some light wear or limited notes markings. A solid nice copy to enjoy.
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Wordsworth Classics) to cart. $0.99, good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1997 by Wordsworth Editions Ltd.
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Good condition. It may show normal signs of use such as light writing highlighting or library markings but all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. A solid complete copy that's ready to enjoy.
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Great Illustrated Classics) to cart. $1.07, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 1992 by Playmore Inc. Publishers.
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Fair. Book is considered to be in acceptable condition. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo. Book may have one or more of the following defects: noticeable wear on the cover dust jacket or spine; curved dog eared or creased page s; writing or highlighting inside or on the edges; sticker s or other adhesive on cover; CD DVD may not be included; and book may be a former library copy.
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Great Illustrated Classics) to cart. $1.25, good condition, Sold by Greenworld Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Arlington, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1992 by Playmore Inc. Publishers.
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Good condition. It may show normal signs of use such as light writing highlighting or library markings but all pages are intact and the book is fully readable. A solid complete copy that's ready to enjoy.
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Fair. Used-Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact but shrink wrap dust covers or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes highlighting or minor water damage but the text is readable. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable. Any access codes or passwords originally included with the book may be expired used or no longer valid. Image is stock photo and cover art edition may be different than pictured.
Add this copy of David Copperfield (Great Illustrated Classics) to cart. $1.48, fair condition, Sold by MERS Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from SAINT LOUIS, MO, UNITED STATES, published 1992 by Playmore Inc. Publishers.
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Fair. Used-Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact but shrink wrap dust covers or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes highlighting or minor water damage but the text is readable. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable. Any access codes or passwords originally included with the book may be expired used or no longer valid. Image is stock photo and cover art edition may be different than pictured.
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If Dickens is the greatest novelist of all times - and I believe he is - David Copperfield is the greatest of his novels. This book has it all - it will make you cry and laugh, cringe and hate and love. I first started reading it as a 16-17-yearold, and I still read it, some 40 years on. I must have read it at least 25 times over the years. Every time I marvel at how gloriously he writes. I believe that depictions of childhood are the most poignant an author could try on, and not one of them - not even the great ones, like Atwood or Oates - surpass the tale of David Copperfield's childhood. Every one of Dickens' characters come alive, almost every sentence they speak becomes a bon mot in your life. It's like Monty Python - there will always be an excellent quote for every possible situation in your life!
Tarissa
May 24, 2015
Charming, humorous... it's Dickens
No simple words could describe this book better than saying it is "The Personal History, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery, Which He Never Meant to Be Published on Any Account."
Do you catch Dickens humorous mood already? The quotation alone is the real subtitle of the book. And, my, oh my! It's a charming book. A new favorite of mine, in fact. Barely a chapter passed by that I didn't laugh at a scene, or a particular sentence, or even a certain word, the way Dickens wedged it in there.
It is David Copperfield's story - from childhood to adulthood. The characters are beautifully drawn out - Pegotty, the Micawbers - ha! - even the villainous characters too.
My favorite novel from Dickens! I already cannot wait to read this delightful piece of literature again.
"...I should have been perfectly miserable, I have no doubt, but for the old books. They were my only comfort; and I was as true to them as they were to me, and read them over and over I don't know how many times more." (Chapter 10, David Copperfield)
Leslie
May 14, 2011
An Insight into Dickens' Own Life
This book is fiction, but has in it enough autobiographical elements to be interesting. The first person coming-of-age motif -- also seen in Great Expectations -- is not among my favorite literary devices.
The romantic plot contrivances were also hard to swallow. But overall I found Davy to be a sympathetic character who redeems himself well -- unlike how I felt about Pip in Great Expectations, whom I thought was a twit pretty much to the end of the book.
The most engrossing character for me was Steerforth, who incites both anger and pity, sometimes both at once.
Woolymamath
Apr 9, 2007
I hated to put it down
David Copperfield so engaged me I hated to put it down. Many a night I stayed up yawning to read just a little more. I love reading about old-world England , a world where values are clearly defined ( very rare in contemporary literature ); where integrity and hard work are rated highly; the unselfish devotion of Peggoty toward little Em'ly; David's compassion for his child-wife; the strength and determination of his aunt Miss Trotwood. Their story is engaging and moves briskly without lagging. I laughed and cried reading this book. Dickens' characters are unforgettable; either lovable or deliciously repulsive. His choices of names for his characters are colorful and strong. DC inspired me to look at my own life a little differently. I came away from this book with some improvement in my thoughts. Not only was I entertained; I was also inspired. A wonderful gripping read with substance. I hate racing through a good book in an evening or two. I want to be able to enjoy it for a time as I was able to with this book. Very definitely a book worth reading.
