David Copperfield (Nonesuch Dickens) [Hardcover]

Charles Dickens (Author)

Book Description

Series: Nonesuch Dickens | Publication Date: November 26, 2008

"Like many fond parents," wrote Charles Dickens, "I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield." First published in book form in November 1850, Dickens' own favorite among his works is his most autobiographical novel, boasting a wealth of adventure and suspense as well as an unparalleled gallery of the author's most memorable characters including Mr Murdstone, David Copperfield's evil guardian and owner of the wine-bottling factory where David makes his living under appalling conditions, the snake-like Uriah Heap whose vanity leads him to cruelty, Mr Micawber, one of literature's funniest characters, and the kind, generous Peggottys, representing all that is good even in the face of adversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No more handsome edition of Dickens has yet appeared, nor is it easy to conceive of any which might surpass this one." --The Scotsman

From the Publisher

The classic, definitive, world-famous Nonesuch Press edition of 1937, finally available again and bound in leather and linen. The text in these stunning volumes is taken from the 1867 Chapman and Hall edition, which became known as the Charles Dickens edition and was the last edition to be corrected by the author himself. The Nonesuch edition contains full-color illustrations selected by Dickens himself, by artists including Hablot Knight Browne ("Phiz"), George Cruikshank, John Leech, Robert Seymour, and George Cattermole.

The Nonesuch Dickens reproduces the original elegance of these beautiful editions. Books are printed on natural cream-shade high quality stock, quarter bound in bonded leather with cloth sides, include a ribbon marker, and feature special printed endpapers. Each volume is wrapped in a protective, clear acetate jacket.

The books are available as individual volumes, or as sets. The six-volume set contains Oliver Twist, Bleak House, Christmas Books, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations together with Hard Times. The three-volume set contains A Tale of Two Cities, Little Dorrit, and The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 912 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (November 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590201361
• ISBN-13: 978-1590201367
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nonesuch edition will enhance one's library!, May 7, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: David Copperfield (Nonesuch Dickens) (Hardcover)

My review here is not of the novel, but rather of the Nonesuch edition of Dickens' classic. The book itself is a facsimile edition of the 1937 Nonesuch Dickens, and is published by Barnes and Noble. The book itself is in quality hardback. The "David Copperfield" Nonesuch edition has the spine bound in leather and the rest of the cover is cloth-bound [the color is orange].The dust jacket is clear quality plastic. The paper quality is of good stock and is cream in color.

The text is set in Martin's Type and the illustrations are from the original plates by A. Alexander and Sons. This is a beautiful and affordable classic [I own six of them and plan to get the rest] and the Nonesuch Dickens Classics will enhance any collector's library.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING, January 29, 2010

By 

Benjamin A. Leaman "neblotr" (maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Copperfield (Nonesuch Dickens) (Hardcover)

I am here also to comment on the "Nonesuch" edition, it is more than i expected in all respects, it is a hefty volume, it is very thick as well think the Allan Lee edition of "Lord of the Rings." The front has a bear featured in the oval I didn't notice this when i bought it. I wish they would come out with "Our Mutual Friend" in "Nonesuch." The paper is high quality, it is however thick too, which lends to the thickness of the volume. I am highly considering getting the "Bleak House" version as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Edition, August 16, 2011

By 

Antti Keisala (Jyväskylä, Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Copperfield (Nonesuch Dickens) (Hardcover)

This review is for an edition purchased in Europe, published by Duckworth.

If you search the reviews, you might come across two diametrically positioned views on the Nonesuch Dickens published by Duckworth/Overlook. On one hand they're deemed to be a great deal, a collectible bunch of facsimiles at a decent price. On the other, they're considered bad quality (I've read that in particular of "Little Dorrit" and "A Tale of Two Cities") as they're printed on porous paper. So the argument goes, you should instead buy the facsimiles produced by the Folio Society.

What to do then?

At the time of writing this review, I haven't been able to review the condition of the aforementioned books and decided on the quality of the printing. However, this edition of "Copperfield" I have been able to see, and actually read through. That was a very positive experience. Yes, the size of the book is substantial, but it was never a problem whilst reading, as I actually enjoyed its sturdiness and stature. This is, however, such a subjective topic that I would advice you to find a bookstore and try it out yourself. But I didn't find it cumbersome to hold it in my hands, and actually read the book lying on my back, holding it above my face (with both hands, of course).

The downside of this review is my lack of knowledge concerning the editions of the Folio Society. I would presume, however, solely based on the price that it is a superior edition. The question, however, for those buyers like myself who are not in the position to dish out that much money, especially if one is of the inclination to collect all of Dickens' writings, is much rather whether they're able to receive a decent product at a much lower price. My answer would be yes. I cannot comment on the quality of each edition, and reading the negative comments on the quality of printing have made me more alert. Yet on the other hand, I was lucky enough to find this book at the university library and thus make the acquaintance of the series. Based on this positive encounter I was encouraged to buy "Bleak House" directly from the web. I haven't read that edition from start to finish yet, but have combed through the illustrations. They're of good quality, but I could imagine some to be brighter. This, however, is conjecture and keep in mind that I haven't seen any other editions to compare the images to! I'm sure there will be more knowledgeable readers here that know better.

It is my intention to buy all of these. It is, however, misleading, bordering on deceptive, to use the quotes from Daily Telegraph and Arthur Waugh when marketing these editions, since they refer to the original Nonesuch Press editions of 1937.

Also, I would like to know whether there is an actual difference between Overlook/Duckworth editions in terms of printing quality. In my "Bleak House" it says that "[t]his edition of the Nonesuch Dickens is published in 2008, in the United States of America by the Overlook Press and in the Great Britain by Gerald Duckworth and Co. Ltd, in association with Worth Press Ltd." I would assume this is only a distribution issue and doesn't deal with printing, since the edition I have is "[p]rinted and bound in Thailand for Imago". However, if somebody knows more of this, please use the comment function below.