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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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ChessieFL · 01/03/2020 09:57

I’ve been desperate to comment on the name Mealy Potatoes since I read it! Dickens is brilliant at names generally but that is the best character name I’ve ever read! Sadly he doesn’t appear in the list of characters at the front of my book so I’m guessing we never hear of him again. Shame!

I am thoroughly enjoying this. I loved the comic scene with the Murdstones and the donkeys. This section of chapters has included some fantastic characters - Betsey Trotwood, Mr Dick and Uriah Heep are all drawn so well.

I was really pleased the Micawbers came back and I’m hoping to see them again. I think they would be very annoying people to know in real life but I enjoy reading about them. Who plays Mr Micawber in the film?

Terpsichore · 01/03/2020 09:38

For those who haven't seen the film, Hugh Laurie plays Mr Dick wonderfully.

I think Dickens was always interested in 'outsiders' of society and the way they were treated by various characters is always very telling - eg Smike in Nicholas Nickleby, who clearly had some sort of mental/physical disability, is horribly abused at Dotheboys Hall by the Squeers family, but Nicholas stands up to Mr Squeers in a key scene and rescues Smike, who then lives a happy life free of terror and neglect.

A similar (though less extreme) thing is happening with Mr Dick, I think. He obviously has some mental affliction that could have seen him committed to an asylum - often very grim places indeed in the 19thc - if not for Miss Trotwood, who rescued him somehow and treats him as a valued friend. It's a very compassionate and moving piece of writing, and rounds out Miss Trotwood's character so well.

A couple of years ago I read an excellent book by Sarah Wise about private asylums and the terrible abuses that arose (basically, anyone even slightly eccentric could be committed if their relatives wanted to get their hands on their money) so as soon as I got to this passage I suspected this was what might have happened to Mr. Dick.

Sorry for the epic post.....I just find it fascinating!

BookWitch · 01/03/2020 09:16

I agree about Uriah Heep being creepy. It's a good writer that can do that with a character, he makes you feel uncomfortable without really knowing why

nowanearlyNicemum · 01/03/2020 09:12

I agree about finding some chapters more engaging than others.

The Micawbers kind of get on my nerves. I was quite relieved when they buggered off to Plymouth (or was it Portsmouth?) and then disappointed when they reappeared! Glad they have now taken their leave once again but presume we may see more of them as the story progresses.
I am LOVING Betsey, she's an absolute treat :) But who is she paying at night indeed??? Mr Dick is also a great character and the dynamic between him and Betsey is interesting too.

Can't put my finger on it but Uriah Heep freaks me out Shock
What a craftsman Dickens was!

Piggywaspushed · 01/03/2020 09:00

It is a great name!

I agree about too many characters : but that's a Dickens thing. If any other book or TV programme /film is referred to as Dickensian, I know I'll need to get my notebook out to jot down the names !

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Palegreenstars · 01/03/2020 08:37

Also Mealy Potatoes is my favourite Dickens name ever.

Palegreenstars · 01/03/2020 08:37

I’ve just finished chapter 17. Who is Betsey paying money too at night??

Very much enjoying it. I know @Terpsichore pointed out he’s so good at the pen portraits, I do wish sometimes they would have a bit more depth. There are so many.

Can we also have no more naive characters as they are doing my head in.

Micawber is a gambler right? I definitely know someone like him and his wife. All is lost and then jollily eating walnuts on the way to London two minutes later.

I hope David gets his house back in the end!

Off hiking today in the sunshine so savouring chapter 18 for a glass of wine at the end.

BookWitch · 01/03/2020 08:10

I think Mr Dick is what we would call Autistic these days. Dickens wouldn't have the words for it. I suppose severe cases would be locked up and milder cases would just be 'odd ' characters.

My dad grew up in the late 1940s -50s and he said there was an "odd" boy in his class who in retrospect was autistic, the teachers just ignored him. Sad

Piggywaspushed · 01/03/2020 08:02

I am enjoying it and loved the intrigue of the naughty clandestine lovers. Don't really get who Wickfield is...

The character I really want to talk about is Mr Dick! Is this an early (and compassionate) representation of autism? Is it dementia? How kind Dickens is towards him is striking. But of course Dickens liked anyway who was kind to children.

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BookWitch · 01/03/2020 07:38

How are we all enjoying David Copperfield so far, and how have we found the last few chapters.

I enjoyed the chapters with Uriah Heep. I was aware of him as a well-know Dickens character, but didn't know which book he came from so I was happy when his 'umbleness arrived. I'm looking forward to seeing where Dickens goes with him.

Also loved Betsy Trotwood giving the Murdstones hell. I still don't reckon we've seen the last of them.

I do find some chapters much more engaging than others, but I am enjoying it on the whole.

KeithLeMonde · 29/02/2020 12:00

Thanks @BookWitch

BookWitch · 28/02/2020 22:27

@KeithLeMonde
End of Chapter 18

KeithLeMonde · 28/02/2020 22:23

I'm trying not to RTFT to avoid spoilers - which chapter am I supposed to be reading up to tomorrow please?

Palegreenstars · 26/02/2020 18:48

I dunno if I’m ready for Ulysses...I’m only on chapter 11 - cramming to catch up for Sunday. (By cramming I mean endlessly mumsnetting, reading a few pages at bed time and falling asleep with images of bread and cheese for each meal).

FranKatzenjammer · 26/02/2020 15:14

I have a slight hankering for a Canterbury Tales readalong...

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2020 11:19

Ummmm... not a fan of Ulysses but maybe...

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nowanearlyNicemum · 26/02/2020 09:56

Could Ulysses be our next read along piggy?

Yes, I know, I need to get on with reading Copperfield first!! Am on Chapter 13...

bibliomania · 26/02/2020 09:09

Okay, I'll be good, pinkie promise.

Piggywaspushed · 26/02/2020 08:18

You certainly don't need to join in. But, in case you aren't aware, Dickens published all his novels in instalments (in fact, many more than six). Many of us read Bleak House in 18 months! we enjoyed our monthly chats and it helped us to analyse in more detail and left us often in suspense more effectively.

Also, it's over 800 pages long.

Also, it's taken me 30 odd years to read Ulysses so far.

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MsAmerica · 26/02/2020 01:00

Six months to read one novel?!?

Terpsichore · 25/02/2020 20:24

Mine, Piggy!

Piggywaspushed · 25/02/2020 17:14

Mine or your own??!

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Terpsichore · 25/02/2020 17:03

Sorry!

Piggywaspushed · 25/02/2020 11:08

Yes, ahem.

Let us pledge not to discuss the chapters ahead of time. Partly my fault as I got over excited by donkeys. Grin

Not too many days to go. Am on Chapter 15.

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nowanearlyNicemum · 25/02/2020 10:24

Aaaaargh, my eyes!!!!! Too many spoilers people!!!!!