David Copperfield (Penguin Classics)

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Summary: Awesome Book!!
Review: This book was one of the best books I have ever read (and I read a lot!). I've been into classic books lately, so I decided to get it from the library. It is the longest book I have ever read (I LOVE long books!). The characters are so cool. You HAVE to read this book if you like reading, but don't read it if reading bores you out. I'm in seventh grade and it wasn't hard to read at all (I didn't read a shorter version). Uriah Heep, James Steerforth, Lil Em'ly, Agnes and so many others are the best!!! Go buy it NOW!

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Summary: "David Copperfield" is a cornerstone book.
Review: "David Copperfield" is a cornerstone book, not only in terms of Dickens' career, but in its being the book that first brought me to Victorian literature. Hence, like Dickens, it is my favorite child. And it was as a child I first came to the novel. On a fifth reading, it is as fresh as ever; what's interesting to me is how one's perceptions of the story changes as one matures. It took me a long while, for instance, to recognize Agnes' father as an alcoholic. Or Martha Endell as a prostitute. Because Dickens does not embellish these points, allowing the reader to make such discoveries for himself. He uses foreshadowing throughout; useful especially for re-readers who can clearly recognize his telegraphing of upcoming events, such as Emily's running off with Steerforth. And then there is Dora, David's "child wife," whom I, as a child, recall wanting to marry, and can now in adulthood recognize the mistakes David makes in doing so, even while he cannot. "David Copperfield" is the most character oriented of the Dickens novels, which is why to this day certain moments still elicit the same on cue reactions from me. I am not ashamed to say that Dora's death still makes me weep, and the moment when Agnes reveals to David what the reader has known all along makes me cry out with joy. Obviously, for me, reading "David Copperfield" is a profoundly personal experience, but one that nevertheless I can recognize Dickens' narrative and linguistic mastery in being able to fuse together a gallery of distinct voices that speak for themselves. So vivid are these voices one might very well believe in their very existence, so alive are they on the page. Reading "David Copperfield" a fifth time is different from the first, as with age and experience acquired by the reader, the book becomes even richer.

Rating:
Summary: A great book.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely of of Dickens' better books. I really got into the characters, although as a pre-teen girl, most of the women like David's mother and Dora annoyed me. Dickens is a fabulous author, though. It is worth reading. David Copperfield is sad, funny, entertaining, and almost everything that can be put in about 800 pages of literature.

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Summary: A very good read.
Review: One of my favorite books of all time. It blended drama with just the right touches of comedy. Memorable characters keep the fascinating plot line moving right along. The book was over much to quickly for my taste.

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Summary: David Copperfield
Review: This was one of the greatest books ever written by one of the greatest writers. It is filled with wonderful characters,there isnt one uninteresting person in the whole story.The plot is also terrific. Its just a brilliant book.

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Summary: Dickens' magic is sporadic
Review: Although Dickens may have liked this book best, it doesn't come close to Hard Times, Christmas Carol, or Tale of Two Cities. David Copperfield drags. The first few chapters were interesting--and the characters of Mr.Dick, Betsey Trotwood, and Uriah Heep are priceless--but skip the rest and move on to some truly GREAT works! Dickens has plenty from which to choose.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best novels ever
Review: This is my favourite novel by Dickens and one of my all time favourites.Some of his best known characters are here:the ever optimistic Mr Micawber,the stout hearted Aunt Betsy,the slimy toad Uriah Heep,the troubled Steerforth,faithful Pegotty, honest Ham,the nasty Murdstones, and so on.Even Jip the dog is brought to life with real character.No one has created such characters as Dickens.They are a sheer delight.Dickens has a wonderful sense of humour, which shines in this book.He also has a very readable style of writing.He can be overly sentimental, but this was expected by 19th century readers.Agnes, David Copperfield's second wife and true love is just too good to be believed.We can forgive Dickens these irritations, because he gives us the most memorable characters in literature.Also, there is a great deal of sympathy and affection for ordinary human beings and their foibles in his work.This is a novel which can be read over and over again during a whole lifetime, giving much pleasure with each reading.

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Summary: Victorian Trash
Review: A potentially exciting tale of a young mans trials through life, which is ruined by oversentimentality. I found the characters very thin, and lacking in comic relief- with the notable exception of Betsey Trotwood and Uriah Heep. The plot itself is unimaginative with a very predictable ending. As a female reader, one of my dislikes of this book is the unmemorable female characters, who are either weak or full of undying patience and gratitude. If you are looking for a book to put you to sleep at bedtime - this one's for you!

Rating:
Summary: vastly over-rated
Review: I write this review as an avid reader forced to endure this book in school.Thoough I have read some long books,never one that seemed as long as this.As I suspect of most of Dickens' writings,it is nothing but page upon page of plot line and moralizing.There is no interest in the characters as they seem to serve no other purpose but to fit in the neat little events that shall teach us Something.Bah.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: It was excellent except it just kept on going and going and going, one bad thing is he never really mentions David's age throughout the book. I wonder what happened to Mr. Murdstone and his sister and to the young lady that he married