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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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Terpsichore · 12/01/2020 18:37

👍 Smile

MaJoady · 12/01/2020 18:06

Thanks @Terpsichore, but I do understand the pins reference now I've done some background reading. I was saying that it's nice to read at a pace that allows the background reading too

Terpsichore · 12/01/2020 12:59

@MaJoady happy to chip in with an explanation about the pins but I suppose we ought to wait until Feb. Not long now, though!

Beringer · 12/01/2020 09:27

I'd like to join too. I've read a few classics but nothing by Dickens.

KnucklesMcGinty · 12/01/2020 07:16

I've just remembered I decided to quit reading Dickens because he's so misogynist. The men in his books tend to be well-developed characters, with complex backgrounds. Women are virgins, whores or matrons.
Aah well, we can but hope!

nowanearlyNicemum · 11/01/2020 21:08

Still haven't got my copy but am delighted to see how much you're all enjoying it. I've read very little Dickens to be honest so am a little nervous :)

Piggywaspushed · 11/01/2020 20:42

Welcome! I was agnostic on Dickens until Bleak House. My students love Christmas Carol this year, too, which ahs been an eye opener. They really like its warmth and humanity. It's adorable.

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keiratwiceknightly · 11/01/2020 20:26

Ooh I'll join Piggy! Read it donkeys years ago but it will do me good to re read.

Disclaimer: I'm a Dickens hater. Great stories but dislike his style. Let's see if this can convert me.

Terpsichore · 11/01/2020 20:04

I've read the nine chapters and might just see what happens next.....just for a few pages....Grin

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 11/01/2020 13:35

I’ve read the 9 chapters and I’m really enjoying it! I didn’t think I liked Dickens but I’m finding that I do. Trying to resist the temptation to keep going.

MaJoady · 11/01/2020 12:14

I've started but been making notes. Blush I might also be overthinking this...

Am enjoying reading at a leisurely pace though, it's making me stop and look up phrases I don't understand, like the reference to the pins. Usually, I'd just hope they weren't a key part / would be explained better later and plough on! In modern books it's easy to know when you aren't supposed to know the full picture, but less so with older literature.

ChessieFL · 10/01/2020 18:22

I’m going to read chapter 1 this weekend and see how long it takes, and judge from that when to read the rest so I finish chapter 9 just before 1 Feb! I may be overthinking this....Grin

FranKatzenjammer · 10/01/2020 17:48

I have a similar problem: I've read the first eight chapters and enjoyed them, so it will take a lot of willpower to stop after the ninth.

KnucklesMcGinty · 10/01/2020 17:22

@ChessieFL yes, I'm concerned I'm going to forget all my insightful thoughts on it by 1st Feb, especially as I'm now reading something else too! I think next month I'll start round about 15th. Grin

Piggywaspushed · 10/01/2020 17:19

Those are lovely!

Of course you may join!

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TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 10/01/2020 17:14

May I join? We have a full set of Dickens inherited from DH’s grandfather and I have hardly read any. I could do with literary support! Not sure I’ll actually read this copy, though - it’s old enough not to have any date in it.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
David Copperfield Dickensalong
David Copperfield Dickensalong
BadSpellaSpellaSpella · 10/01/2020 17:11

Read the first couple of chapters last night, genuinely funny bits in it which surprised me

ChessieFL · 10/01/2020 17:03

I haven’t started yet either Piggy! Hoping to make a start this weekend. I’m worried if I start it too soon I’ll get through 9 chapters quite quickly and then will be impatient waiting until 1 February to discuss!

ScribblyGum · 10/01/2020 17:01

I started listening to it today on the dog walk. Richard Armitage's voice is as mellifluous as I had hoped it would be. I'm only an hour or so in and already his Scottish elderly lady had an element of sexual charge which I'm sure Dickens did not imagine in his writing.

Piggywaspushed · 10/01/2020 16:56

The more the merrier!

I haven't started reading it yet Blush

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RolandOnTheRopes · 10/01/2020 14:16

I'm joining in too. I've just got a copy on the library BorrowBox App

KnucklesMcGinty · 08/01/2020 21:45

I've read the first 9 chapters. I kept remembering what was about to happen. Loving it!

InTheCludgie · 08/01/2020 18:32

I'm in! Just need to get a copy for the Kindle and will be set to go.

PrincessFabian · 08/01/2020 13:01

Hi Piggy
Thanks for the tag, I am in. I am not sure if I would do another 18 month read along so happy about the faster pace this time.
Will get going on January today and be back to discuss on 1 Feb

Cherrypi · 06/01/2020 21:13

I'm in. Martin Jarvis is reading it to me on BorrowBox.

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