The best Dickens book? (David Copperfield book review) 

It’s so true that when we read classics, we often see the relevance to humanity today which is what makes them stand the test of time. I’ve not read enough Dickens and I think I need to tackle one of his larger works. Fantastic review!

I've read all of Dickens' novels, and this one is definitely one of his best. The first time I read it it took me a long time to finish, but I enjoyed it. Then I have found myself enjoying it even more on rereads I've done. I'm glad you've enjoyed it!

Dear Anne, Thank you for the great review! I’ve just begun reading David Copperfield, and somehow it enchanted me from page one. I always look forward to taking up where I left off the previous day. It is amazing how Dickens’ humour can be so fresh even today! I do not hurry with this novel, as I want to relish it as long as I can.

I don't usually like fantasy or some science fiction because of all the world building. I just realized that Charles Dickens builds his own worlds but I enjoy them. I guess it is because his stories and characters are so good that it is worth it. I have read 3 Dickens but not this one. It is on my list though. Fantastic review. Well done and thanks.

Scrolling through your videos and saw this - I just read David Copperfield and loved it and I'm so happy you liked it too! I agree so much that the beginning is all these characters coming in and then out of his life, but then it all wraps back up and we learn so much about them. I think it would be an interesting book to reread because the experience of reading that beginning would give more insight into these characters. I can't read to read my next Dickens!

This is on my November TBR. Thank you for this review as it definitely will help frame the story for me.

I also struggled with the beginning part. And my favorite Charles Dickens' book is also Little Dorrit. But Dickens is such a talented writer with so many of favorites that it's too hard to say which one can outrank the others. David Copperfield and his child wife are definitely everlasting companions of my life.

Oh my gosh. I could put your intro on repeat and be content for days. Beautiful, new supporter here!

David Copperfield was a required read in my HS English Lit. Fell in love with Dickens and the world of classic literature. Been listening to The Pickwick Papers read by Rory Kinnear which is a delight. Enjoying your channel.

This is a great review and video! I also found it interesting that many books in literature have given us phrases and sayings that we still use to this day. I didn’t know “Never do tomorrow what you can do today” was from this book! I heard in a video in Spanish “No dejes para mañana lo que puedes hacer hoy” which means “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” which is really interesting because the saying has even been translated into other languages and used commonly!

Nicely explained thank you

Ms. Williamson: Your enthusiasm for Dickens is apparent; I appreciate that. I received a B. A. degree in English in the mid-1970s and Charles Dickens was then, and remains now, my favorite author. It seems your videos are reaching a younger audience who may not have had much exposure to this creative novelist. That is a positive result for the work you’ve put into this book review. Please allow me, if you will, three minor corrections to your presentation. You state that David’s father dies when he is a baby. Technically, that is not correct. Mr. Copperfield died before David was ever born. You also state that David’s mother died giving birth to his half-sibling. No, she and the infant did not die in childbirth. But both did die soon afterwards. In fact, there is a poignant scene at the conclusion of Chapter 8 when David is heading back to school. When he’s in the cart with Mr. Barkis he hears his mother calling him and he sees his mother standing alone at the gate holding up her baby in the cold air for David to see. For me, that heartbreaking scene is one of the best passages Dickens ever composed as we learn the mother and infant soon die while David is at school and so that was David’s final view of his mother alive. And finally, you misstate Agnes Wickfield’s first name four times referring to her as “Agatha”. I commend you on your videos in bringing awareness of good literature to the public, and trust you will not find my post to be petty in pointing out a few small errors.

The first 100 pages are filled with misery but also great love. David’s love for his mother and for Pegotty her faithful servant and little Emily whom he kisses and hopes to marry. Dickens tries to keep a balance between hard knocks, humor and great heartfelt love and devotion. It is difficult to read page after page of misery and he sure can pour it on thick! But then David Copperfield is said to be auto-biographic so I think a good amount of the hardships described to have happened were what Dickens really went through in his youth. Not an easy life, but am sure one filled with the love and support of his parents. Wonder how he came up with Mr. Dick who sends historic messages throughout England via kites. He is the humor and Uriah Heep the horror!

Agreed! It’s a great book, I also struggled to get into it for the first 300 pages. I kept going because it was recommended by several people that I respect as one of Dicken’s best books. I am so glad that I kept reading as I appreciated getting to know the characters and the writing was descriptive that I felt like I was in the room observing.

I love this book, despite my struggle following most characters' hyperbolic and meandering ways of communicating. That drove me crazy, lol. Also, it was hard to understand, Mr. Peggotty, as he was a simple fisherman who probably had an Irish accent. But overall, I see people did not change despite the time frame and geographical lication.

I own this one but not read it yet- will likely be the next Dickens I give a chance to. Thanks for making me feel it may work for me.

Yay!! I'm so happy you loved David Copperfield! It's my favorite but I haven't read all the Dickens! I loved the audiobook! "Davey!" "Davey Copperfield!" Haha, I would do a big British accent and call my old neighbor that 🤣 his name was Dave 😆

Thank you for the review. I’m intrigued by Barbara Kingsolver’s upcoming book, Demon Copperhead which apparently is somewhat of a modern retelling of Dickens David Copperfield.

He’s so cute, bark all day long little guy!

David Copperfield is my favorite Dickens novel so far. Im excited you like it too! It is written in first person and I like that. Plus it is so funny in parts! You are so right-Dicken’s characterizations are the best. I remember it wasn’t Agatha; her name was Agnes. I also think I remember David’s mother died postpartum, but not in childbirth. This was Dickens favorite novel of his own and somewhat autobiographical. Dickens had to work in a factory as a child for awhile, like David. Mr. McCawber was always in debt and sometimes debtor’s jail, like Charles’s father. McCawber was so great in the story-loved him!

Hey enjoyed your review but who the he'll is Agatha it's Agnes

Procrastination is my best friend!

I am currently reading David Copperfield I was so excited about it because I had previously finosh A Tale of Two Cities. I really enjoyed the book and of course I like Charles Dickens writting. So reading David Copperfield I was happy somewhere or somehow it got really ,really boring,I had to put it down. I started reading this book in October 2022 😢😢 andi am still reading it because between October till know Mar h ifinish reading 4books. Ii am currently on page five hundred, it is getting a little better ihopeit continues on or else I am going to have to put this book down again and read something more interesting. This book is a little bit to longwhere it should not. Way to many characters 😢😢

Her name is Agnes, not Agatha ;).

At first I thought this book is about magicians, lol.

I’m not sure I could make my way through the beginning of David Copperfield. It seems that so many cruel people are in the book, especially at the beginning.

Why spoil

Who's Agatha? ? ? LOL Did you read this book? lol

Please dub always your videos in Brazilian Portugues.

Hi Anne,I'm sorry for sending this unrelated message,right now in Iran we are fighting with a brutal unjust religious dictatorship,we are fighting with our blood and bones,240 humen are dead because of their cruelty ( one them from my city),12000 people have been arrested,they are killing us with battlefield firearms,we want a revolution,we want freedom,be our voice,the voice of a free Iran,we don't want to be the enemy of the modern world,all we want is freedom and justice and a bright future for our country and for our selves, right now they ve blocked the internet from days ago,this is my new proxy,I don't know if I see another video from you again,wish you and your husband the best....plz send our message the people of Iran wants a new government a new law a new page in history....