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Welcome to the Read-A-Long discussion for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, nominated by Pony.

This discussion will be full of SPOILERS.

THE SCHEDULE

September
Early Childhood and Yarmouth, sections I–III
Ch. 1. I am born �� Ch. 9 I have a memorable Birthday

October
Murdstone and Grinby’s, sections IV–VII
Ch. 10 I become neglected... �� Ch. 21 Little Em’ly

November
Dover and Canterbury, sections VIII–X
Ch. 22 Some old Scenes... �� Ch. 31 A greater Loss

December
Young Adulthood in London, sections XI–XIV
Ch. 32 The Beginning of a long Journey �� Ch. 43 Another Retrospect

January
Trials and Losses, sections XV–XVII
Ch. 44 Our Housekeeping �� Ch. 53 Another Retrospect

February
Resolutions and New Beginnings, sections XVIII–XX
Ch. 54 Mr. Micawber’s Transactions �� Ch. 64 A last Retrospect

Some questions for thought in September:

�� Have you read any of Dickens�� other works? What do you expect from this one?
�� In the opening chapters, did you feel drawn into David’s world?
�� Do you particularly enjoy any of the characters? David, his mother, Pegotty, Murdstone, maybe the coach driver?
�� Any predictions, at this point, about how David’s future will play out?

Thus far, I have only read chapter 1. Here is my take: I did not realize I was zooming through it. I feel like the name Pegotty is demoralizing. I feel like inventing a new one for her or shortening it to Peg or Peggy, but I am concerned that could get confusing later. I did not feel drawn into the book, but I must have been in order to lose track of time. I had to share his aunt's reaction to Copperfield's birth with my little brother. It was hilarious. He has never read the book and we were both laughing for 6 minutes replaying the scene over and over. It was a nice bonding moment.

As per your questions: I first read A Christmas Carol (with grandpa's tutoring) when I was 5. It was my first official chapter book. I try to curb any expectations when I first start a book. I expect to have a fun group conversation.

Taz wrote: “I had to share his aunt’s reaction to Copperfield’s birth with my little brother. It was hilarious.��

Yes, I loved that as well. Dickens is great for moments like that, occasionally. I don’t know if she ever pops back up in the book (I doubt it), but she certainly left her mark.

I have read recently, A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations, both rereads as I read them both in school. As I really enjoyed the ones I have read, I expect this one to be good also.

It has started off good and I am feeling drawn into David's world, the storytelling brings out the feeling and emotions.

I like David and Pegotty and their interactions.

No predictions, however am looking forward to reading further.

I read A Tale of Two Cities years ago and really liked it. I expect David Copperfield, given the number of pages, to have a lot of characters in it, so I'm taking notes of everyone early on so I can refer back to them if needed.
I definitely do not like Mr. Murdstone and his sister. It seems gaslighting was a thing back then as well. I'm wondering if Emily will be a future love interest or have a tragic end.

I'm putting Chapter 14 in my list of top 10 best chapters in literature!

Craig wrote: “I’m putting Chapter 14 in my list of top 10 best chapters in literature!��

Yes! That chapter was so fun to read. I’ve come to really enjoy her as a character anyway—she simply knows her own mind, and is firm in her convictions. But that exchange sealed the deal for me. She’s my hero in this story, from what I’ve seen so far.

For October’s sections:

�� David has given us his take on quite a few different characters, often with enough observation for us to form our own opinions (think Steerforth, Agnes, Uriah Heep, etc.). Are you finding that you agree with David’s assessments of these characters, or no?
�� There’s something unsettling about Uriah Heep, isn’t there? How is he affecting your sense of the novel, at this point?
�� We’re given a glimpse of relationships between other characters aside from David—Mr. Dick and Dr. Strong, for example, or Steerforth & Miss Dartle. Have you found any of these especially interesting or enlightening?

�� David has moved around through various settings & groups of characters in the novel. Which have been your favorite?
�� Has any particular character or moment made you laugh?
�� How are you finding the pace of the novel? Too fast, too slow, just right?

Starting it today! I’ve read A Tale of Two Cities, Martin Chuzzlewit, The Old Curiosity Shop, A Christmas Carol, Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, Our Mutual Friend, Oliver Twist, Hard Times, Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, and even David Copperfield a long time ago, but I don’t remember it clearly. The others I have been reading over the last decade.

So far, Steerforth puzzles me.

David is giving us his child views of these people, and it is obvious he has more curiosity than awareness of what kind of people they might be. As an adult reader, we can read between the lines of David’s observations. I think Dickens is a very clever writer. Some of the people are as straightforward in their personalities as David believes they are. Others are obviously scoundrels with hidden agendas or hiding something that readers can see, but David cannot. A lot of characters have unpleasant agendas, like avarice and taking advantage of a richer person’s goodwill. Some of these folks are exposing their worst selves with every word out of their mouth, but they don’t know that they are. Instead, they appear oblivious to their exposing of their character flaws of greed, or lack of caring for anyone except themselves.

�� This far in, have your feelings changed about any of the characters? What about David himself?
�� What do you think of the novel's treatment of social class?

David’s naivety does cause me to wonder how any of us survived our youth? I remember having such naivety.

It is clear social class is a matter of money and education and where your house is located, not just about whatever aristocrat titles one has, with how one behaves, although behavior was close behind in importance. David is believed to be more of a gentlemen because of his mannerisms when he is 8 years old and a student at the horrible school, I noticed from the text. The lower classes are depicted as being very poor in education and dress and manners, not just in money.

However, rich or poor, people tend to have exaggerated personality quirks in all of the books by Dickens. Other books I’ve read written in the 19th century and earlier seem to reflect a lot of personality quirks in characters, genteel though some are. It looks as if there were a lot more pronounced but seemingly acceptable in social situations quirks in personalities in earlier centuries than I am aware of people having as socially acceptable today, except among the mentally ill and the wealthy today. I think maybe TV and movies have homogenized publically acceptable social behavior, based on the books I’ve read. But maybe the quirks in earlier novels written in earlier centuries are meant to to be completely unrealistic entertainment than to reflect reality. However, I think writers like Dickens were including actual behaviors he had come across, perhaps exaggerated for humorous effect. I think people ARE still quirky, but perhaps less public in social situations than in Dickens time or in earlier centuries. What do you think?

This is one of my favorites of Dicken's works. The characters, especially his Aunt and her companion are especially funny to me. Mr. Dick's sage advice to give the boy a bath is especially the best answer I have ever heard. Even though David goes through hard times as a child, he comes out all right in the end.

aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "David is giving us his child views of these people..."

Yes, I was confused at first when David first meets Steerforth and says he was 'helping' him spend his money. Did he not realize he was being taken advantage of? Even the waiters and maids take advantage of him. Only later did I realize this was his views as a child and he smartens up later in life. Although he learns about Steerforth's selfishness too late in life.

spoko wrote: "�� This far in, have your feelings changed about any of the characters? What about David himself?

I definitely lost interest in Dora in chapter 37 and I lost a little respect for David who still likes/loves this superficial girl. On the other hand, David’s aunt notices Dora is a ‘little doll�� and probably remembers David’s father marrying the same way. David’s mother was pretty and vain. So David may be repeating a pattern here. Aunt Betsy doesn't judge David for his choice of wife because she has to live with her own choice for a husband (which is shown later).

Craig wrote: “I definitely lost interest in Dora in chapter 37 and I lost a little respect for David who still likes/loves this superficial girl.��

I’m having the same experience—at this point, between his utter obtuseness with Steerforth and his ridiculous attachment to Dora, I’ve pretty much lost all respect for him. His aunt, on the other hand, grows in my estimation every time she gets a mention.

Has anyone seen the movie "The Personal History of David Copperfield" from 2019? The director takes a lot of liberties with the plot and the casting is just off for me. Tilda Swinton is perfect as the eccentric Aunt Betsy and Gwendoline Christie is excellent as the cruel Jane Murdstone. But that's it. No one else appears as I imagined the characters and the plot veers away from the book at times.

Can anyone recommend another Copperfield movie that is a more loyal version of the book?

There is the 1999 two part BBC adapdation with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) as the young David Copperfield. It has a great cast and I enjoyed it. Whether it's loyal to the book I'm not sure as it's been 50 years since I read the novel. According to Google it's available on Hulu.

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "There is the 1999 two part BBC adapdation with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) as the young David Copperfield. It has a great cast and I enjoyed it. Whether it's loyal to the book I'm not sure as i..."

Thanks! I'll check it out.