David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After reading Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, I felt the need to revisit the book it was based on, Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. I'd first read it during or soon after college, and it's stood in my mind ever since as one of my favorite novels. It has lovable characters, an expansive plot, and social commentary delivered with a sugar coating.

Reading it again 35+ years later, I found it just as wonderful as the first time. Despite all the trauma David is subjected to as he strives to become the hero of his own life (as he puts it in the first sentence), it manages to be a cozy, comforting read. It's a tale of optimism, friendship, and love in the face of adversity. Unlike Kingsolver in her play on this story, Dickens never loses his main character in outrage at his circumstances.

Some people see Dickens' characters as little more than caricatures, but I don't think that's true. In our high-pressure society, with TVs and phones and computers fighting for our attention, we're constantly filing off our rough edges for others. These were different times, when people didn't follow their favorite celebrities' every habit. Many lived in isolation and developed particular quirks and habits that Dickens was very attuned to. I'm not sure he exaggerated all that much.

That said, this sprawling, expansive novel doesn't stand out for its realism. One thing that particularly jars is David's angelic first love, which is ridiculously over the top, and then too easily resolved. But the intricate plot is excellent, and you meet numerous wonderful characters along the way, like Betsy Trotwood, Wilkins Micawber, and Mr. Dick. So while it may not be a perfect novel, it's still one of the greats for me.



View all my reviews