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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 · 01/05/2020 10:07

as is her alliance with Peggoty.

Who she insists , in great Betsy Trotwood fashion , on calling 'Barkis'!

She actually reminds me of a few bull in a china shop, yet kind hearted types I have met over the years. You'd definitely want her on your side!

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Piggywaspushed · 01/05/2020 10:05

Jack Maldon is a wrong un, isn't he?

There are some interesting social statements about choice in marriage and also divorce in these chapters. Has anyone done any homework as to the state of Dickens' marriage at this point in his life? Because he seems very sympathetic towards women , but by all accounts was a poor husband himself!

Also, the wondrous reappearance of Miss Mowcher : Dickens seems very kind towards the physical misfits of society. I loved how kind DC was to her.
'If I am a plaything for you giants, be gentle with me' made me well up. #bekind before its time!

Uriah Heep become creepier by the minute, doesn't he? It's a masterful description, especially 'kissing his great hand, and leering at us like a mask'. Shudder

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bibliomania · 01/05/2020 10:01

Sensible reasoning from Mr Dick!

Piggywaspushed · 01/05/2020 09:58

Speaking of Mr Dick, my favourite but which I went back to find was:

'You know, Trotwood, I don't want to swing a cat. I never do swing a cat. Therefore, what does that signify to me?'

Bless him.

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bibliomania · 01/05/2020 09:42

Yes, Aunt Betsey's joyous battles with the landlady are great, as is her alliance with Peggoty. Dickens can write good women! Even Dora's friend, who sees herself as so bowed down by her tragic past - very funny and very adolescent!

ChessieFL · 01/05/2020 09:29

biblio I loved that bit with Mr Dick too, so touching.

I also laughed at the bit about the aunt stomping round with her cap at an insane angle to annoy Mrs Crupp! The aunt really is a fabulous character.

Terpsichore · 01/05/2020 09:17

This was a great chunk of book Grin

Dora's a simpering idiot. Why can DC not see what's right in front of him, i.e. Agnes? But it's wonderful comic writing, his infatuation with the silly girl.

bibliomania · 01/05/2020 09:13

Had to read the chapters all on go last night.

My favourite moment was Mr Dick earning a little bit of money, which he changed into sixpences so he could bring them to Aunt Betsey arranged in the form of a heart, "with tears of pride and joy in his eyes".

Dora was really well portrayed in the film earlier this year.

Piggywaspushed · 01/05/2020 08:49

Pop back in a bit with my masterly Mr Dick epithet!

I am so in love with David when he is in love. Moping around Dora's house to breathe her air. I used to do that. Young people these days think it is sad...

But by the final chapter I had gone right off Dora.

We all knew Steerforth was a wrong in! Boo.

And Barkis. Wow, What brilliant writing.

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nowanearlyNicemum · 01/05/2020 08:00

It's the day!

I just want to start with this quote which I loved!

"I have my doubts, too, ... whether a sound enjoyment of animal food can develop itself freely in any human subject who is aways in torment from tight boots. I think the extremities require to be at peace before the stomach will conduct itself with vigour."

Classic!!!! Grin

Piggywaspushed · 30/04/2020 23:06

Good news is I found my quotation. Only took three hours. Will report tomorrow.

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Piggywaspushed · 30/04/2020 23:05
Wink
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KeithLeMonde · 30/04/2020 22:05

Oh!!!! I am a couple of chapters in and I BLINKING WELL KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN

No further comment until I reach chapter 37

Piggywaspushed · 30/04/2020 17:27

Just reminding for tomorrow! Up for discussion?

Barkis is willin
Steerforth
Mowcher and her brolly
The best female character in Dickens ever!
Drippy Dora and Dave in love , bless him!
The Micawbers
The wise quotation I can't find again and knew I should have marked the page (I am aware no one can really help with this)

Lots and lots!

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Piggywaspushed · 28/04/2020 23:07

Lots of bad eggs in this book!!!

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nowanearlyNicemum · 25/04/2020 18:35

Looking forward to the chat also. I've got one more chapter to go.
Intrigued to know what the story is between Jack Malton and Annie Strong. Should we know more at this stage? No answers until 1st of May obviously Wink

Knitwit99 · 25/04/2020 13:07

I've enjoyed this month much more than last month. Looking forward to chatting about it soon

FortunaMajor · 24/04/2020 19:24

Snap Terpsichore.

I've not even read the book for my IRL book club on Tuesday yet.

Piggywaspushed · 24/04/2020 18:46

Haha ! Chop Chop! 10 chapters this month!!

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Terpsichore · 23/04/2020 22:46

Oh Lord, I haven't read any of it - must get a move-on!

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2020 22:37

I wasn't sure if we were supposed to know more about Rosa but perhaps not : think I get Rosa and Dora confused!

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nowanearlyNicemum · 23/04/2020 22:08

If I've understood correctly Rosa is the young lass who lives with Steerforth's mother, one of those dreadfully dull companions. Sounds like she was tortured by Steerforth as a child but seems to remain quite loyal to him in spite of it. Yuk yuk yuk!
I have two more chapters left to read. Have struggled to concentrate during some of them so am bound to have missed some important info!!

Piggywaspushed · 23/04/2020 15:49

Fell off my own thread! Hoping people will be ready in just over a week. I just read tow chapters and STUFF definitely HAPPENED and we have gender politics and depiction of disability to discuss hopefully.

Cn I anyone remind me who Rosa actually is? I get Dora and Rsa (and Agnes) confused. I sort of know what they do but not who they are!!

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nowanearlyNicemum · 22/04/2020 08:39

Ooooh, reading DC in the sunshine with a decent cuppa sounds like heaven noworrieshere. It's raining here and I have to work all day. Might treat myself to a spot of reading at lunchtime if I can find somewhere to hide away and get comfy!! I think I only have 3 chapters left of this month's reading :)

Noworrieshere · 20/04/2020 13:05

I haven't read a single word this month, I just can't settle to reading at all. But I'm going to start right now, sitting in the sunshine with a cup of tea.