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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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Thread gallery
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FiveGoMadInDorset · 04/01/2020 11:51

I missed the Bleak House one and was intrigued by it, heading into town today so can grab a copy

Terpsichore · 04/01/2020 13:21

Hurrah! Thank you for the thread, Piggy . Very happy to go along with your timing suggestion.

It dawned on me, very belatedly, that a few years ago Dh surprised me with a wonderful present - a subscription to a facsimile printing of David Copperfield exactly as it was first issued, including all the adverts and plates as well. Like a fool I'd forgotten I owned this.

I was highly tempted to read along using these 19 parts but the pages are still uncut and I feel I can't bear to cut them....It's a thing of beauty.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
Tailrunner · 04/01/2020 14:09

I'd like to read it with you - David Copperfield is on my tbr pile and this seems a good time to start. I'm happy to go with any timing suggestion.

weebarra · 04/01/2020 14:11

I'm up for it. I really enjoy Dickens but think I tried to read DC when I was too young and didn't get it!

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 14:21

Oh wow Terpsichore! What a beauty!

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ChessieFL · 04/01/2020 14:38

I’m in and I would be happier with the faster read along you’ve suggested Piggy - I would get frustrated just reading 3 chapters a month!

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 15:04

I liked it for Bleak House but others didn't. Dickens certainly wrote it so there was a cliff-hanger every instalment, bless him!

Well, let's all go for 9 chapters in Jan and see how we go! We can discuss on Feb 1st.

No spoilers, although it is of course permissible to go and see the film!

Not sure my tagging will work but trying @scribblygum and @princessfabian to see if they want to join.

Posters need to bear in mind because of monthly discussions the thread will keep disappearing form the thread I'm On thingy which is very annoying...

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nowanearlyNicemum · 04/01/2020 15:32

I'd be up for the slower reading pace but I fully understand that you guys would be frustrated by that! How many pages is 9 chapters???

Am still rooting around to find my copy. I'm pretty sure it's languishing in my TBR pile somewhere...

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 16:22

Nine chapters is just over 100 pages in my copy (small print but some full page pics!).

I think I might do it in 3 weekends to stagger it.

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Waawo · 04/01/2020 16:38

I’m in. I have read DC before but a looooong time ago. Very happy with the faster reading schedule also :)

BookWitch · 04/01/2020 17:33

I'm in, will have to set a reminder for 1st Feb!

ScribblyGum · 04/01/2020 17:51

Thanks for tagging me Piggy.

I’d love to join. Will attempt to listen to iirc Richard Armitage reading it.

Has Katie done any videos about it do you know?

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 17:53

If she does,it'll probably be in 2023!

I'll have a look, though, in case she has...

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ScribblyGum · 04/01/2020 17:54

Yup Richard Armitage talking to me for 36 hours. That’ll work.

Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 17:54

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

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Piggywaspushed · 04/01/2020 17:56

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

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babybythesea · 04/01/2020 19:15

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

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.

danadas · 04/01/2020 22:47

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

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.

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...

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.

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!

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

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.