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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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bibliomania · 25/02/2020 09:00

Agree that the film is definitely worth seeing. Even if it's not entirely faithful to the book's plot, it does capture something about the mood - even when faced with adversity, there will be jokes and good people and a chance of better things.

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 24/02/2020 20:29

I think they wanted to get their moneys worth out of Dev Patel!
And don't get me started on Micawber turning up as a teacher Shock

Terpsichore · 24/02/2020 16:50

They really did, didn't they? Rather to its detriment, I felt. I haven't finished the book by a long chalk but I can see how what might at first have felt like longueurs in Dickens's writing actually enrich the texture of the book. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

For example, in cutting out his first (unhappy) period at school and shoving it together with the second (much happier) one, and making him grow up by what appears to be about ten years in the blacking factory, it messes up the whole chronology. He's still a little boy when he sets out to find Miss Trotwood, but in the film he's pretty much adult, or at least late on in adolescence.

I did enjoy it, though. I wouldn't want to put anyone else off seeing it!

bibliomania · 24/02/2020 16:45

Yes, love the book scene of Betsey Trotwood routing the Murdstones!

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 24/02/2020 13:39

Also went to see the film at the weekend. Loved Dev Patel, Paul Woodhouse, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie (totally captured Mr Dick) thought Peter Capaldi as Micawber was a bit low key and under used, he didn't even get to say his famous income vs expenditure line come to think of it. Wasn't impressed by the actor playing Wickfield, and I know it's sacrilege to criticise Ben Whishaw but I prefer my Uriah Heep to be even more obsequious and 'umble, at least initially, although no doubt that's due to the direction and the speed at which this film moves.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it but my goodness they took some liberties with the plot!

Terpsichore · 23/02/2020 17:56

GrinGrinGrin

Piggywaspushed · 23/02/2020 17:52

I cannot possibly see why anyone would not love her. I want to be her.

I can shout at the window 'Nigel! Neighbours parking badly!' or 'Ambrose! Evil cat from next door!' ; 'Hepzibah! Cold Callers!'

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Terpsichore · 23/02/2020 17:25

I ❤️ Miss Trotwood

Piggywaspushed · 23/02/2020 15:59

I have now just got to Betsy Trotwood's reintroduction. the description of her sounds so like Tilda Swinton that I need to see her in it now!

I laughed out loud at 'Janet! Donkeys!'

Mr Dick is adorable.

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Terpsichore · 23/02/2020 15:19

Just popping back to say I saw the film last night and enjoyed it, but perhaps not quite as much as I was expecting to. It takes quite a lot of liberties with the plot, but I suppose that's inevitable with a long book. I was slightly disappointed that the Murdstones didn't have their big come-uppance scene Grin

Piggywaspushed · 20/02/2020 11:08

Bless him, he is very likeable , isn't he?

I much prefer him to Pip, who I wanted to drown in the bloody Marshes.

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nowanearlyNicemum · 20/02/2020 09:56

Just popping on to say that this is really the perfect reading speed for me. Any slower and I'd definitely feel I'd forgotten what happened in the previous chapters but at this speed I don't feel pressured to read quickly and I'm really enjoying reading in instalments. Have just finished Chapter 12. What will become of dear Copperfield??!

MrsFezziwig · 16/02/2020 22:07

Does colour blind casting assuming that we are in a parallel (preferable) universe were there is no racial prejudice and people can be any colour irrespective of their parents colour of skin?
I think this must be correct, as I’ve seen the film today and there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which characters are which colour. I didn’t find this a problem, nor the fact that I think it’s very likely that the film is extremely loosely based on the book (haven’t read the book as yet).
I have the free edition on my Kindle so I might give it a go - will have a lot of catching up to do though!

Terpsichore · 16/02/2020 21:38

I'm loving it even more now. I finished the Feb chapters a little while ago and I'm really enjoying spinning it out. It's no wonder Dickens was so popular with readers from right across the board: his writing is incredibly immediate and fresh, and yes, the hilarious, lightning-quick pen portraits of the characters are a triumph.

Piggywaspushed · 16/02/2020 19:00

I am reading Emma at the same time and the difference is stark : does Austen no favours in my opinion. yes, it's all quite amusing but Austen has no depth and it's all talk talk talk chat gossip gossip talk. The minute I picked up DC , I was grateful for his descriptions, especially the awful woman with her face like the pickle jar! I am a newfound Dickens fan. It's amazing how much novel writing and prose moved on in a matter of twenty years.

Not a Thackeray lover - sorry! Too much like Austen for my tastes!

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keiratwiceknightly · 16/02/2020 17:34

Finished Feb's chapters today. It's ok. Still not overly enamoured of it though there were def some good moments I'm looking forward to discussing. #teamthackery

ChessieFL · 16/02/2020 15:25

I haven’t read any of February’s chapters yet, but have a week off for half term now so planning to get stuck in towards the end of the week! Looking forward to it as I’m enjoying it so far.

Tanaqui · 16/02/2020 15:01

I agree too- I think I am on chapter 12 now!

Piggywaspushed · 16/02/2020 10:39

I agree about the slow reading and the detail. I need to start Feb's chaps soon, though, before I forget Jan's!

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Knitwit99 · 16/02/2020 09:35

I was late to the thread, I've only just finished January's chapters.

This is the most I have ever read of a Dickens novel. I have started before and given up. I do think reading slowly is the best way because there is so much in every single chapter. A few paragraphs seems to contain as much detail as entire modern books in some way. And so many characters, all interesting. Will Mr Mell make a re-appearance? I so felt for him, being bullied by those boys.

I am surprised by how much I am enjoying reading. Will get started on February's chapters this afternoon.

Piggywaspushed · 12/02/2020 13:54

... should have added,especially with the British filmmaking industry's obsession with 'heritage film'

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Piggywaspushed · 12/02/2020 13:54

I am sort of with you pale : otherwise, until more BAME people are allowed into the great closed shop of filmmaking and making films about their own experiences (cf #oscarssowhite) the opportunities will never be there for great actors to showcase talents.

I am also fine with all female productions, say, of Shakespeare! And plenty of stage productions now do colour blind casting for Shakespeare.

I think for lots of people it might jar for a short while and then they forget it.

It's not that long ago since we had blacked up Othellos...

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Palegreenstars · 12/02/2020 13:04

Going only on the trailer but I love the idea of colour blind casting for a Dickens novel. I think it will help with accessibility to great stories. Granted it’s not what was intended by the author but I tend to prefer adaptations that go there own way and experiment.

I love The Death of Stalin for its story and didn’t find the strange mixture of accents representing the Central Committee distracting so hoping this will be similar.

Knitwit99 · 11/02/2020 21:59

I watched the film without having read the book and I was confused by the casting. I kept waiting for the big reveal that Mr Copperfield was not the boys dad or something. There was one scene where she was all pale and dressed in white standing beside the young David and I thought they were setting up a deliberate contrast between them to reveal a big secret but it didn't happen. It distracted me throughout the whole film. I wish I'd known in advance.

bibliomania · 11/02/2020 09:11

stray comma above, oh the shame.

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