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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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palomapear · 06/01/2020 20:38

@KeithLeMonde I think mine are from some sort of book club. Nothing fancy
Mums not here to ask anymore. I bet she never read them! She have had 4 children then, not conducive to a good read.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 06/01/2020 16:47

First chapter done

KeithLeMonde · 06/01/2020 16:42

Paloma I have a set of complete works from the 1930s which I inherited from my great aunt. They're a bit too fragile to read though so am going to read on the Kindle.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
David Copperfield Dickensalong
Wolfiefan · 06/01/2020 13:09

I started to read BH along with you last year but got distracted/fell behind. Maybe I will manage better this year!!

grimupnorthLondon · 06/01/2020 13:06

I'm definitely in for this one. Trying to fill in some of the many gaps in my "classics" reading and this would be an excellent start. Faster timetable works for me - thanks for the thread @Piggywaspushed

palomapear · 06/01/2020 13:03

My mother's from 1967. Introduction by JB Priestley no less.
The print is so tiny!
In the preface it states that Dickens said
'Of all my books I like this the best'

David Copperfield Dickensalong
ALittleBitofVitriol · 06/01/2020 00:19

Ooh can I join too please!

MaJoady · 06/01/2020 00:13

I'd like to join too please! Will order my copy and get stuck in...

FranKatzenjammer · 05/01/2020 21:38

I'm in as well: I started it today.

Tanaqui · 05/01/2020 19:33

Thank you for the Kindle link Particular- I have technically read this before, but as a teenager 30+ years ago and I think it went over my head. Am going to give it a try!

Palegreenstars · 05/01/2020 13:00

Ace. Will crack on.

Piggywaspushed · 05/01/2020 12:50

Jan 31st for discussion Feb 1st.

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Palegreenstars · 05/01/2020 12:32

I’d love to join. The faster pace sounds good as I think that would likely time with the release of the film to streaming. I’ve downloaded the free kindle version (I don’t have prime but it was still free).
Is there a deadline for reading the first section?

Piggywaspushed · 05/01/2020 12:27

All comers welcome!

Back to work tomorrow so need something to take my mind off the grind!

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KeithLeMonde · 05/01/2020 11:49

Count me in for this one 😊 I missed Bleak House last year but read both Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities so have been on a bit of a Dickens rediscovery.

InMyOwnParticularIdiom · 05/01/2020 09:09

On the fence about whether to join in, but did find a copy that's free for kindle if you have Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Copperfield-AmazonClassics-Charles-Dickens-ebook

nowanearlyNicemum · 05/01/2020 08:11

Thanks @Piggywaspushed, that sounds totally doable!
Can't locate the copy I thought I had so will order one and get stuck in!

DesdamonasHandkerchief · 05/01/2020 00:14

Sadly I read this last year in anticipation of the film, otherwise I'd definitely join in. It was one of my highlights of last year so I'll be lurking and maybe chipping in on the discussion.

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 04/01/2020 22:53

it's a tentative yes from me
I am a slow reader though, so I might get left behind...

palomapear · 04/01/2020 22:51

I'm in!

I just started a thread in Chat about wanting to increase my brain power.

I might already have a copy. My brain power and my memory are in decline.

Thanks Piggy.

danadas · 04/01/2020 22:47

Oh I'd like to join this too please. Will order a copy and get reading.

KnucklesMcGinty · 04/01/2020 19:24

I'd like to join please - I'm sure I've read this previously but I don't remember it at all.

babybythesea · 04/01/2020 19:15

I failed the Bleak House one. I’ll try this one though.

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 17:56

She then reread it and bumped it up to 5th. Bless her.

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Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 17:54

Ah she has! Only one. It's her eighth favourite! Grin

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