10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Masterpiece, July 14, 2007
This review is from: David Copperfield (Penguin Popular Classics) (Paperback)
This is Dickens's best and it is on par with other great novels such as Anna Karenina, Pride and Prejudice, Madame Bovary, etc. In short, it is a masterpiece that brings together all of Dickens's writing skills with a great story.
As background information, I am in the process of reading most of Dickens 22 novels. I bought the Penguin Popular Classics version of the novel. It is very basic and comes in a simple green cover. It contains no introduction or analysis, just the text plus a very brief historical sketch of Dickens. It seems to be an excellent value for the money and I bought three Dickens novels in the series. I was a bit disappointed in that the book seemed to fall apart as I read it: the binding seemed very weak and cheaply made. After this bad experience, I bought other versions of Dickens's works - Wordsworth Classic versions, the regular Penguin Classic versions, the ones with the photo on the covers, and others.
Charles Dickens, who lived from 1812 to 1870, is the best know male English writer of the 19th century. He authored 22 novels plus numerous short pieces. Most of his writing was first written in serialized form, later published as single novels.
A young Dickens at the age of 12 had the unenviable job of attaching labels 10 hours a day at the Warren's boot blacking factory. That experience shaped much of his writing career. Still in his teens he became a law clerk, then later in his twenties a journalist. The last job as a reporter led to the serialized writing of his novels. His works were social commentaries with larger than life characters, or colorful caricatures, living in the slums of London. He was a critic of poverty, social injustice, and the slow moving court system.
All of Dickens's experiences come together in David Copperfield. The story has many biographical elements in it: a young man forced to take a job in a factory, attendance at a difficult school, working in a law firm, being a reporter, etc. The book was the author's favorite because of all of these biographical elements. The novel is twice as long as Great Expectations and has a wonderful set of characters, a good story, and it is a compelling read. It is clear from reading the novel that Dickens has put a lot of enthusiasm and creativity into writing the novel and into the creation of many memorable characters such as Edward and Jane Murdstone, Wilkins Micawber, Uriah Heep, Tommy Traddles, Mrs Trotwood, etc. Readers will not be disappointed.
Having read many of Dickens's novels I still rate David Copperfield as best as a work of literature and for entertainment value.
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8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the finest books in English, September 26, 2005
This review is from: David Copperfield (Penguin Popular Classics) (Paperback)
This book excels marvelously on two fronts - style and story. Dickens has a masterful style that uses to good effect the best elements of English. His prose is simply wonderful.
The story is also tremendous. Its wraps up a little too tidy, but that is the Dicken's style. The characters are vividly painted and the failures and triumphs feel as real as can be.
It is a masterpiece I recommend to everyone.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
David Copperfield, March 27, 2011
I have finally finished the illustrious classic, "David Copperfield." At times I really enjoyed the book, at others I was very close to banging my head against the wall. I think the last 100 pages or so were a real challenge. That being said, overall, it was a pretty interesting story. From birth to his second marriage, the tale traces the life of David Copperfield.
I found David's early life to be the most interesting part of the book. His father died before he was born, leaving his naive and young mother to raise him. She entered into a second marriage. Her husband (and his sister) were a huge trial to David, as they often mistreated him. Sent off to a boarding school, he was finally able to make friends and come into his own. Unfortunately, his mother died and his step-father made him leave the boarding school, and at the tender age of 10, David was sent to the city to work in a factory. After several months David decides to set off across the country, looking for his infamously eccentric Aunt.
Overall, not a bad read at all.
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