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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 · 08/03/2020 18:59

I am sort of trying to pace myself like this for the new Mantel. Aiming to get to the end of Book One by end of March.

Have been reading War And Peace in instalments for about a year now!

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DesdamonasHandkerchief · 09/03/2020 23:39

David Copperfield is free to listen to on Alexa till 31st March, if you have an Amazon Echo or Dot.

David Copperfield Dickensalong
Knitwit99 · 10/03/2020 08:02

Oh that's great, I'll be listening tonight.

Piggywaspushed · 21/03/2020 13:24

Just checking in to reactivate thread! Am on Chapter 24. Reminding us all to get to end of 27, shitty life and horrible stuff permitting.

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ChessieFL · 21/03/2020 15:59

I haven’t started this month’s chapters yet, must crack on!

Knitwit99 · 21/03/2020 18:22

Thanks for the reminder. Something normal to talk about for a change.
Hope everyone is ok

nowanearlyNicemum · 22/03/2020 10:04

Hi everyone, just finished Chapter 23. Hope you're all ok x

Piggywaspushed · 22/03/2020 16:50

I have been ill, but don't want to talk about it on this thread, only to say I am fine Smile

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FranKatzenjammer · 22/03/2020 19:29

I haven't either, Chessie, it's been the last thing on my mind!

I'm glad you're feeling better, Piggy Thanks

Palegreenstars · 22/03/2020 19:42

I’m still on chapter 11 but will join you guys however far I get - looking forward to it.

nowanearlyNicemum · 23/03/2020 12:59

Glad you're feeling better, piggy Flowers Flowers Flowers

Piggywaspushed · 23/03/2020 15:47

Oh, lots of Flowers. Makes up for Mother's Day! Grin

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Knitwit99 · 28/03/2020 21:13

I've finished March chapters. Looking forward to some chat about the book in a few days, will be nice to chat about something else for a change.

Piggywaspushed · 28/03/2020 22:23

Sure will! I have two to go.

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Terpsichore · 29/03/2020 11:46

I suddenly realised I'd only got to Chapter 23 so had to put a sprint on. I'm there now, though. It's been great having something steadying and familiar to fall back on.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 12:13

I feel like that too. I still read everything though and worry about their lack of distancing!!

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Terpsichore · 29/03/2020 18:36

Yes, you can see how terrifyingly easy it would be for communicable diseases to rip through Victorian cities, and without any proper understanding of hygiene or epidemiology Sad

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 18:51

I just came across a bit about seating sickness in Hilary Mantel and how everyone needed to stay indoors! It's inescapable!

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Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 18:52

sweating

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Palegreenstars · 29/03/2020 21:32

@Piggywaspushed in Wolf Hall? Cromwell reminded me of all today’s teenagers with his ‘it couldn’t possibly happen to me’ attitude. Although I like how small a part it is of the narrative to remind us that this really will pass.

I chose ‘Ode to Billy Joe’ on our YouTube jukebox last night and ‘there was a virus going round’ did make it seem inescapable.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2020 22:22

No, it was actually mentioned in the new one, but I do remember it in Wolf Hall, too!

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Terpsichore · 30/03/2020 09:47

For anyone who's interested, Claire Tomalin's excellent biography of Dickens is the Radio 4 Book of the Week in the mornings this week, and on catch-up. Well worth a listen.

Palegreenstars · 31/03/2020 21:12

Just to say I won’t join in here tomo. I’ve not caught up yet but if I can stave off exhaustion I hope to be with you sometime in April.

Piggywaspushed · 31/03/2020 22:00

You are welcome whenever Smile!

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Piggywaspushed · 01/04/2020 14:15

Anyone ready?

I got confused by all the characters again, but, as someone predicted the Micawbers are back! And Steerforth and Tommy Traddles (who I can't remember..)

DC needs to listen to Agnes!! Steerforth is a Bad Egg,

I did love the drunk scenes. They really made me appreciate Dickens' deft hand for humour. And made me assume old CD might have experienced the odd drunken episode or two himself!

Why are people doing what sound like nasty things to donkeys? Why were there so many donkeys about in Victorian times anyway??

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