Dickens' most autobiographical book, David Copperfield follows David from infancy to adulthood, complete with a colorful cast of characters: Betsy Trotwood, Mr. Dick, The Micawbers, the Peggoty family, including little Em'ly, Agnes and Mr. Wickfield, Steerforth and Traddles, Dora, Mr. and Miss Murdstone, and the snake-like Uriah Heep. We see David grow from a troubled childhood into a mature, if naive, young man. Life events round out his character.

It took me 68 years to finally pick this book up, and even now it only occurred to me to read it because I was between books, and there it was, on the shelf, 2 volumes of a Harvard Classics collection of 20 volumes that I purchased at an antique store decades ago. My volumes were printed in 1917, which only added to my enjoyment.

At first, I could barely get through the text, as David's early life was so miserable. Is this what the next 900 pages would be like, I wondered? Fortunately, Dickens had David's fortunes turn around, first with a reconnection to his aunt (and Mr. Dick), and then with steady friends, such as Mr. Wickham and Agnes, his loyal friend Traddles, Peggoty and her family, and even Dora, who loved him despite her childlike nature.

Dickens' writing is in top form in this book, and his heart is clearly in this work. Many descriptive paragraphs were stunningly beautiful (like the storm scene near the end). This was a lovely story, all around. Maybe my favorite Dickens. ( )

A beautiful story in Dickens' charming and delightful writing style. A bit dense in places, but thoroughly well done and captivating. The characters are so well written and I couldn't help but love David. I enjoyed it enough to gift a copy to each of my brothers at Christmas. ( )

first recalled incident of a husband disappointed in his wife's kitchen abilities; she did not have an extra chop when he brought home his friend to dinner - without warning ha ( )

Although there are probably several other criteria to decide whether a book is better or worse than other books, one could say that some books tend to stay with you. Some books are great while reading, but soon forgotten, while other books are a slow read by remain vivid in your memory. David Copperfield is clearly in the latter category.

I first started reading David Copperfield when I was at high school, but abandoned it after about 130 pages. This time round, I must say the first 250 - 350 pages are the most memorable or exciting, with some 100+ fairly nice pages at the end, while about 300 pages in the second half of this bulky novel are less interesting.

It could be said that this is a fair resemblance true to life. After all, David Copperfield as a novel is a biography of David Copperfield. The formative years are the most exciting, while one's middle years bring less excitement, and the closing bring moments of endearment. Young David's youth is a hard struggle and this translates into a fascinating story with grotesk figures.

It has been a while since I read another major novel by Dickens (in 2001). One of the major attractions of the novels of Dickens are his unforgettable characters. However, it must be said that seemingly most of these great cameos are men, with the exception of Peggotty, who takes a very special place in David's upbringing, and who is perhaps more to him than a mother. However, the other women in the second part of the novel are all rather bland and inconspicuous.

I did not really enjoy reading this. There are wonderful descriptions, and the first part deserves full attention, but the the novel does seem to be overmuch long, without about 300 pages of minor interest. Still, I am happy I read David Copperfield. ( )

Another good long autobiographical novel from Dickens. I still liked Great Expectations better but this one is almost as good. ( )