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David Copperfield Dickensalong

539 replies

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 11:36

Hello All

Inspired by the Bleak House readalong, I have decided this might be the year to tackle David Copperfield.

Those of us who did BH read it obediently in Dickens' instalments ,which wasn't to everyone's taste! We had a chat at the end of each month. It took 18 months and I think we had three stalwarts left at the end.

DC was published as follows (note different months!):

• I – May 1849 (chapters 1–3);
• II – June 1849 (chapters 4–6);
• III – July 1849 (chapters 7–9);
• IV – August 1849 (chapters 10–12);
• V – September 1849 (chapters 13–15);
• VI – October 1849 (chapters 16–18);
• VII – November 1849 (chapters 19–21);
• VIII – December 1849 (chapters 22–24);
• IX – January 1850 (chapters 25–27);
• X – February 1850 (chapters 28–31);
• XI – March 1850 (chapters 32–34);
• XII – April 1850 (chapters 35–37);
• XIII – May 1850 (chapters 38–40);
• XIV – June 1850 (chapters 41–43);
• XV – July 1850 (chapters 44–46);
• XVI – August 1850 (chapters 47–50);
• XVII – September 1850 (chapters 51–53);
• XVIII – October 1850 (chapters 54–57);
• XIX-XX – November 1850 (chapters 58–64).

I am happy to negotiate reading faster so that we tackle three instalments at a time? Thus , the first would be Chapter 1 -9 and we would be finished in the summer.

What does everyone think?

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Thread gallery
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Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 18:33

Wow, that's a photograph?? Extraordinary!

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Terpsichore · 01/04/2020 17:31

All of this is where Trafalgar Square is now. It would have been laid out as we now know it in the decade or so leading up to Dickens writing David Copperfield - I'm sure he would have watched the works taking place.

Terpsichore · 01/04/2020 17:26

I've put the same thing up twice Grin. Here's the photo.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
Terpsichore · 01/04/2020 17:25

I mentioned a while back that I'd started getting distracted by the history of the places David visited....he mentioned going to London and staying at the Golden Cross Inn at Charing Cross, where he looked out at the statue of Charles 1 when he woke up in the morning.

This led me to an engraving of the inn, and a wonderful photograph, taken in 1839, which is one of the earliest ever taken of London...

David Copperfield Dickensalong
David Copperfield Dickensalong
Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 16:57

Thought I should point out, by the way, for April that we have 10 chapters rather than the usual 9. So we need to read ahead to the end of Chapter 37. Forward planning!!

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Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 16:55

I liked young David, though as he made me laugh. I hope it doesn't become too serious.

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Terpsichore · 01/04/2020 16:43

I loved DC's hair being drunk Grin.

The significant thing for me was noticing how the gears are shifting to true maturity. There's that sudden moment when, after rhapsodising about how wonderful, good, kind etc etc the (vile) Steerforth is, David lapses abruptly into showing us that bad things are on the horizon. It's when he takes Steerforth to visit the Peggottys and Little Em'ly, and says if he'd known then what would happen, and what Steerforth would do.....he doesn't actually say what it is, but it's as if dark clouds have gathered, he's suddenly grown up and finally left the innocent young David behind Sad

nowanearlyNicemum · 01/04/2020 16:16

Whoops, my comments were after Tanaqui's post. Sorry. Multi-tasking Grin Grin Grin

nowanearlyNicemum · 01/04/2020 15:35

Agree re Dora.
Good question re Miss Murdstone....

Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 15:04

Miss Murdstone is a mystery to be resolved. There are a lot of women in this book, I noticed.

I have sort of ignored Dora. She'll probably become very significant, therefore!!

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Tanaqui · 01/04/2020 14:45

I am a chapter short as I thought it was to the beginning of 27! But I agree Agnes is wise! And Dora is a going to be a silly giggly girl I think. What do you think has happened to Miss Murdstone?

nowanearlyNicemum · 01/04/2020 14:43

She's such a contrast to David! Are they supposed to be the same age?

Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 14:26

Agnes just knows . Because she's Agnes. She's wise.

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nowanearlyNicemum · 01/04/2020 14:24

WE know Steerforth is a Bad Egg. What I want to know is HOW does Agnes know that??? And why oh why should she have to put up with advances from the slimy Heep? Come on, David. Stake your claim!

I'm glad to see Traddles back again - an understated, calm chap in amongst the crazier characters!

Funny to see how these youngsters chose their careers in those times. No GCSEs and A Levels to fret over!

Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 14:15

Anyone ready?

I got confused by all the characters again, but, as someone predicted the Micawbers are back! And Steerforth and Tommy Traddles (who I can't remember..)

DC needs to listen to Agnes!! Steerforth is a Bad Egg,

I did love the drunk scenes. They really made me appreciate Dickens' deft hand for humour. And made me assume old CD might have experienced the odd drunken episode or two himself!

Why are people doing what sound like nasty things to donkeys? Why were there so many donkeys about in Victorian times anyway??

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Piggywaspushed · 31/03/2020 22:00

You are welcome whenever Smile!

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Palegreenstars · 31/03/2020 21:12

Just to say I won’t join in here tomo. I’ve not caught up yet but if I can stave off exhaustion I hope to be with you sometime in April.

Terpsichore · 30/03/2020 09:47

For anyone who's interested, Claire Tomalin's excellent biography of Dickens is the Radio 4 Book of the Week in the mornings this week, and on catch-up. Well worth a listen.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 22:22

No, it was actually mentioned in the new one, but I do remember it in Wolf Hall, too!

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Palegreenstars · 29/03/2020 21:32

@Piggywaspushed in Wolf Hall? Cromwell reminded me of all today’s teenagers with his ‘it couldn’t possibly happen to me’ attitude. Although I like how small a part it is of the narrative to remind us that this really will pass.

I chose ‘Ode to Billy Joe’ on our YouTube jukebox last night and ‘there was a virus going round’ did make it seem inescapable.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 18:52

sweating

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Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 18:51

I just came across a bit about seating sickness in Hilary Mantel and how everyone needed to stay indoors! It's inescapable!

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Terpsichore · 29/03/2020 18:36

Yes, you can see how terrifyingly easy it would be for communicable diseases to rip through Victorian cities, and without any proper understanding of hygiene or epidemiology Sad

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 12:13

I feel like that too. I still read everything though and worry about their lack of distancing!!

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Terpsichore · 29/03/2020 11:46

I suddenly realised I'd only got to Chapter 23 so had to put a sprint on. I'm there now, though. It's been great having something steadying and familiar to fall back on.