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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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Piggywaspushed · 28/03/2020 22:23

Sure will! I have two to go.

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Knitwit99 · 28/03/2020 21:13

I've finished March chapters. Looking forward to some chat about the book in a few days, will be nice to chat about something else for a change.

Piggywaspushed · 23/03/2020 15:47

Oh, lots of Flowers. Makes up for Mother's Day! Grin

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nowanearlyNicemum · 23/03/2020 12:59

Glad you're feeling better, piggy Flowers Flowers Flowers

Palegreenstars · 22/03/2020 19:42

I’m still on chapter 11 but will join you guys however far I get - looking forward to it.

FranKatzenjammer · 22/03/2020 19:29

I haven't either, Chessie, it's been the last thing on my mind!

I'm glad you're feeling better, Piggy Thanks

Piggywaspushed · 22/03/2020 16:50

I have been ill, but don't want to talk about it on this thread, only to say I am fine Smile

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nowanearlyNicemum · 22/03/2020 10:04

Hi everyone, just finished Chapter 23. Hope you're all ok x

Knitwit99 · 21/03/2020 18:22

Thanks for the reminder. Something normal to talk about for a change.
Hope everyone is ok

ChessieFL · 21/03/2020 15:59

I haven’t started this month’s chapters yet, must crack on!

Piggywaspushed · 21/03/2020 13:24

Just checking in to reactivate thread! Am on Chapter 24. Reminding us all to get to end of 27, shitty life and horrible stuff permitting.

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Knitwit99 · 10/03/2020 08:02

Oh that's great, I'll be listening tonight.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/03/2020 23:39

David Copperfield is free to listen to on Alexa till 31st March, if you have an Amazon Echo or Dot.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
Piggywaspushed · 08/03/2020 18:59

I am sort of trying to pace myself like this for the new Mantel. Aiming to get to the end of Book One by end of March.

Have been reading War And Peace in instalments for about a year now!

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ChessieFL · 08/03/2020 18:19

Agree, there were a lot of new characters very quickly! As you say Piggy lots of concentration needed. That’s one reason I’m enjoying the forced slower pace of the read along. If I was just reading it myself I would be tempted to rush through it more and would miss the detail. Knowing I have a month to read 9 chapters means I savour them more. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this way if others are up for it.

Piggywaspushed · 08/03/2020 13:13

Yes, the character dump was very much like a soap opera episode when new characters are suddenly introduced!
Dickens expects so much concentration of his reader : but that is, apparently , why he is so good for mental health and well being!

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BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 08/03/2020 12:51

Was a little behind but finished febs chapters. Dickins deciding to do a character dump in one chapter suddenly made things abit confusing Confused

Loved the descriptions of mr Dick and his kite flying, it's passages like that that make me love Dickins.

Terpsichore · 06/03/2020 21:18

I won't derail the thread but if anyone else is interested, here's a link to info about the inn and the site, near what's now Trafalgar Square

No onion rings mentioned Smile

Knitwit99 · 06/03/2020 20:16

Ha, when I google Golden Cross I get spicy onion rings!

David Copperfield Dickensalong
Piggywaspushed · 06/03/2020 19:08

Ah, well, you haven't stumbled into the excitement of Victorian sewerage, clearly Grin

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bibliomania · 06/03/2020 17:25

Au contraire, Piggy, I'm pleased to report that I have yet to get lost down a sewer.

Piggywaspushed · 06/03/2020 15:20

Me too ; I went down the same hole (excuse pun) with Victorian municipal graveyards because of Bleak House and Christmas Carol , and sewers because .. well... you just do, really.

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Terpsichore · 06/03/2020 14:27

I'm basically a history geek, Piggy, that's the problem Blush

Piggywaspushed · 06/03/2020 12:33

That's hilarious!

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Terpsichore · 06/03/2020 10:35

Oh lor. I've gone down the rabbit-hole exploring historical docs about the coaching-inn David stays at in Charing Cross - the Golden Cross. It's absolutely fascinating but I, er, may be some time....

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