David Copperfield (Everyman's Library): Dickens, Charles, Slater, Michael: 9780679405719: Amazon.com: Books (original) (raw)
Customers say
Customers find the book lively, engaging, and delightful. They also appreciate the wonderfully created characters and emotional content. Readers describe the humor as well-written, funny, and subtle. Additionally, they say the book is well worth what they paid for it. Opinions are mixed on the length and complexity of the plot.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
673 customers mention "Readability"613 positive60 negative
Customers find the book lively, engaging, and delightful. They say it's well-rounded, fascinating, and full of colorful characters. Readers also describe the book as attractive and satisfying.
"...The writing is sometimes deeply heartfelt and sometimes buoyantly humorous, but always engaging...." Read more
"...The characters are sublime, and I love the story." Read more
"...and amusing characters and the memorable dialogue makes it worth reading for anyone looking to give Dickens a go...." Read more
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL by CHARLES DICKENS is a beautifully written Christmas book that could touch your heart...." Read more
148 customers mention "Character development"146 positive2 negative
Customers find the characters wonderfully created, flawed, and colorful.
"...This is definitely my favorite of his books. The characters are sublime, and I love the story." Read more
"...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..." Read more
"...His power of others is astonishing and very creepy. The book is full of great characters, though, and for me one of the most memorable was James..." Read more
"...does contain some of Dickens' most quirky, interesting and unforgettable characters...." Read more
105 customers mention "Emotional content"105 positive0 negative
Customers find the emotional content thought-provoking, interesting, and moving. They say it's inspirational, more positive than many modern stories, and charming. Readers also mention that the book brings humanity at every angle.
"...Well, maybe not ALWAYS, but much of it is excellent and thought-provoking...." Read more
"...Dickens insight into this character is phenomenal, subtle, and somehow haunting...." Read more
"...It is waaaay too long. It is the most thoughtful and contemplative of Charles Dickens' books, but at the same time it drags on interminably...." Read more
"...There is a great deal of hope in David Copperfield that lifts your spirits as you read, although the narrator's life is far from perfect...." Read more
46 customers mention "Humor"46 positive0 negative
Customers find the humor well-written, subtle, and engaging. They also appreciate the humorous descriptions of people and engaging stories. Readers say the author has the gift for perfectly describing emotion with humor.
"...The writing is sometimes deeply heartfelt and sometimes buoyantly humorous, but always engaging...." Read more
"...some, but the many interesting and amusing characters and the memorable dialogue makes it worth reading for anyone looking to give Dickens a go...." Read more
"...I enjoyed how Dickens wrote a coming-of-age story and how he mixed in bits of comedy, some surprising dramatic moments, and how the reader gets to..." Read more
"Humorous descriptions of people and engaging stories and plot lines and many surprises along the way. The old English is entertaining as well." Read more
43 customers mention "Value for money"43 positive0 negative
Customers find the book well worth what they paid for it. They say it's worth the investment in time to fully draw them into its spirit. Readers also mention it's a classic and a great buy.
"...Bottom line, this is well worth the time and effort you ill put into it. Persevere and enjoy!" Read more
"...Worth Press should be commended for publishing an affordable and attractive book to display on one's shelf, but their carelessness with what lies..." Read more
"...David's adventures (and misadventures) are definitely worth the effort and I will be reading this book (and other Dickens novels) in the near future." Read more
"...If you can, you then have access to his genius. It is worth it...." Read more
81 customers mention "Length"26 positive55 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the length of the book. Some mention it's a delight to read, while others say it's too long. They also mention the descriptions are very long and some of the language is archaic.
"...my conclusion is that this is evidence that bigger/longer doesn't mean better...." Read more
"...As a note of warning, this is a long read! I never felt it dragged on, but there were chapters that seemed like bits of fluff...." Read more
"This book is a classic of such stature that I don't think anybody would really care about my opinion of it as literature...." Read more
"...What's more this is a really long novel. Don't let this put you off though!..." Read more
50 customers mention "Plot complexity"30 positive20 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the plot complexity of the book. Some mention that the entire progression is interesting and believable, while others say it's difficult to follow and tedious.
"...All that being said, David Copperfield does contain some of Dickens' most quirky, interesting and unforgettable characters...." Read more
"...The main downside to the story is that there's no central thread to the narrative...." Read more
"...Anyway, this book is pretty surprising, complex, and eventful...." Read more
"...of people and engaging stories and plot lines and many surprises along the way. The old English is entertaining as well." Read more
44 customers mention "Enjoyment"20 positive24 negative
Customers have mixed opinions about the enjoyment of the book. Some mention it's entertaining, charming, and an absolute joy throughout. Others say it's disappointing, repetitive, and not as interesting as most of his novels.
"...a coming of age story like Dickens' Great Expectation, it lacks any particular goal...." Read more
"...A true classic of the human condition. Reading is such a pleasure, never dull, and a discipline that fills the mind with beautiful pictures ." Read more
"...The typeset is fairly boring and, quite frankly, a little disappointing (it seems a bit too modern for my taste)...." Read more
"...is like an autobiography of David cooperfield life ... it has drama, excitement , and some romance:) all is kids suitable in my opinion...." Read more
Reviews with images
Kindle owners: should you buy this for $1.99 or get the free version?
An important literary work that's also a joy to read.There are a few Kindle versions, including a free one and this 1.99one.Ihaveboth,andtheonlydifferenceisthe1.99 one.I have both, and the only difference is the 1.99one.Ihaveboth,andtheonlydifferenceisthe1.99 version includes the 38 images by Hablot Browne from the original serial installments (19 monthly installments of 3 chapters each, released during 1849-1850, with 2 images per installment) and the first edition of the book (1850). Browne did the illustrations for 10 of Dickens' novels.The images in the Kindle version are low-resolution scans of the original images (or perhaps scans of other scans).On the Kindle Paperwhite, I don't think the images look very good, and some detail is hard to make out on some of the images. On the 10" iPad running the Kindle app, the images are much easier to see, both in their original size and when blown up to take up almost the full screen. However, the low-resolution images don't look very crisp on the high-resolution iPad display.I'll attach pictures of the same image on the Paperwhite and the 10" iPad (running the Kindle app) in hopes they'll help give you a better idea what you're getting for 1.99oneitherdevice.Notethatyoucanseealltheimagesonlineforfree.(I′llputalinkinthefirstcomment.)However,thesiteIlinktodoesn′ttellyouwhereeachimagebelongsinthebook,whichchapteritgoeswith.Iguessthat′sthebiggestreasonIcanthinkoftopaythe1.99 on either device.Note that you can see all the images online for free. (I'll put a link in the first comment.) However, the site I link to doesn't tell you where each image belongs in the book, which chapter it goes with. I guess that's the biggest reason I can think of to pay the 1.99oneitherdevice.Notethatyoucanseealltheimagesonlineforfree.(I′llputalinkinthefirstcomment.)However,thesiteIlinktodoesn′ttellyouwhereeachimagebelongsinthebook,whichchapteritgoeswith.Iguessthat′sthebiggestreasonIcanthinkoftopaythe2 - the Kindle book has each image embedded in the place where it appears in the print version of the book. The images are of historic significance, each one adds to the story (the artist was working with Dickens), and I enjoy them a lot.Just set your expectations low if you're getting it for your Paperwhite.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
'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"
4 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024
Dickens at his best! This is definitely my favorite of his books. The characters are sublime, and I love the story.
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2012
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.
14 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by CHARLES DICKENS is a beautifully written Christmas book that could touch your heart. From a greedy and disgruntled businessman to a tender hearted merry man, Ebenezer SCROOGE's Christmas adventure will continue to thrive in reader's heart.
Top reviews from other countries
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2024
I had no idea what to expect from this book but I got 50 pages in and I didn't want it to end - absolutely un-put-downable. The story deals with some very gritty issues in a weirdly uplifting way.
Can't recommend it highly enough and has inspired me to re-read Charles Dickens' novels and to check out more of Barbara Kingsolver.
5.0 out of 5 stars grande classico
Reviewed in Italy on September 6, 2024
bellissimo libro che in inglese può essere più utile a chi già conosce piuttosto bene la lingua
5.0 out of 5 stars The quality and packaging was really good
Reviewed in India on March 16, 2024
The book arrived properly packed and in very good condition.Nothing to say about the novel itself.If you are buying the book,you know what you are in for.It's an amazing read,just go for it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in Sweden on July 8, 2023
A beautiful cover as all Penguin English Library books have. Quite bulky and hefty. But to be expected when it's just over a thousand pages long. Except to break the spine a bit reading it. But that's fine given its size. Nice readable font.
Otherwise, what can I say?
A Dickens Classic and also Dickens most autobiographical novel written.
5.0 out of 5 stars Dickens at his best
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 9, 2023
A great story full of wonderful characters, who, flawed as they might be, will really capture the reader's heart.