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David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens
A substantial must-have coming of age novel for any Charles Dickens fan.
The title character of the story, David, recalls his childhood. He lived with his mother and his nurse, Peggotty, until his mother, who was widowed before David was born, remarries. Her new husband, named Mr. Murdstone, moves into David’s house and he and his sister treat David cruelly. During one particular beating David bites down on Mr. Murdstone’s hand, resulting in him being sent away to school. He attends the Salem House and there befriends James, who is very egotistical, and Tommy, an overweight boy who is treated worse than the other boys.
When David’s mother dies he returns home and ends up working for Mr. Murdstone, bottling wine. One day he decides to search for his deceased father’s sister, Miss Betsy, who is the only living family he has left. She takes him in and sends him back to school. After moving in with Mr. Wickfield he quickly becomes best friend with his daughter, Agnes.
Once David graduates from school he goes off to Yarmouth to contemplate what career to pursue. Under the advice of Peggotty he apprentices at the London firm of Spenlow and Jorkins. During a weekend at the Spenlow’s he meets the daughter, Dora, and falls in love with her. They eventually marry, and although Dora is a terrible housewife, David loves her and they are happy. But after she falls ill and dies early in their marriage David has to do much soul-searching. He winds up reuniting with Agnes, who was always in love with him.
Originally published in nineteen monthly installments between 1849 and 1850 David Copperfield is probably the most autobiographical of Charles Dickens’s works. Although he never intended to publish the chapters in book form readers throughout the generations since feel fortunate for the release of the novel. David Copperfield is truly an experience with colorful and unforgettable characters.
Title: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens
Publisher: Penguin Classics
ISBN: 0140434941
Review written by: Jennifer Kneisley
Reviewer's Rating:10
Reader's Rating: 0
Reader's Votes: 0
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