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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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bibliomania · 22/01/2020 16:35

I've been thinking I need a crib sheet with a list of characters. Dickens novels are certainly peopled.

MaJoady · 22/01/2020 17:13

Spark Notes has a character list that might help!
www.sparknotes.com/lit/copperfield/characters/

Piggywaspushed · 22/01/2020 17:14

I had this issue with Bleak House , too! Thanks Ma!

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ChessieFL · 22/01/2020 17:27

My copy has a list of all the characters at the front!

Piggywaspushed · 22/01/2020 18:12

Well, that's just showing off...

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DesdamonasHandkerchief · 22/01/2020 18:32

The trouble with the character descriptions is they contain some pretty major spoilers if you're not already familiar with the plot.

ChessieFL · 22/01/2020 20:58
Grin
Palegreenstars · 22/01/2020 21:42

I read the first chapter a week ago and picked it up again and couldn’t remember a thing so going to start again and go a bit faster.

He’s just so funny. Outside the church ‘I see a stray sheep - I don’t mean a sinner, but mutton’.

Piggywaspushed · 22/01/2020 21:57

I'd missed that joke! That is funny!

It's much funnier than any other Dickens I've read.

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Palegreenstars · 22/01/2020 22:29

I’ve only read Nicholas Nickleby and Great Expectations. I loved the former and remember laughing a lot so fingers crossed.

nowanearlyNicemum · 23/01/2020 10:06

Yes, palegreen that one made me laugh too Grin

I read A Christmas Carol when I was at school but haven't read any Dickens since.

I confess to reading 2 chapters on Saturday night after one or two glasses of red and when I picked it up again on Sunday afternoon I literally didn't remember ANYTHING about the story, or who was who!! Back to the beginning I went Blush

Finished Chapter 5 last night and am really enjoying it now. Great idea of yours piggy!

bibliomania · 23/01/2020 10:45

Liked the lost sheep joke too. Enjoying "Barkis is willin'". Ah, romance.

Piggywaspushed · 23/01/2020 13:28

Oh yes, 'Barkis' See, I remember him! My year 11s would call him 'cute'.

They find Macduff cute, mind...

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grimupnorthLondon · 27/01/2020 12:39

Have reached chapter 8 so hopefully on pace for 1 Feb discussions (is that how this works?) Am alternating between amusement and heartbreak for the plight of poor little Davey - the waiter in the inn - OMG!

nibdedibble · 27/01/2020 12:43

Im in a couple of other readalongs elsewhere so I won't join in but I just wanted to say that the film is really good!

Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2020 13:19

Off to see it on Thursday! Excited!

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Piggywaspushed · 27/01/2020 13:19

Yes, proper discussions open on and after Feb 1st!

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Terpsichore · 28/01/2020 13:02

We booked in to see the film later in Feb at our (wonderful) local independent cinema, but I’m seriously considering going to see it before Feb 1st now Grin

ChessieFL · 28/01/2020 18:03

I’m not sure when to see the film - will definitely watch it but don’t want it to ruin my reading of the rest of the book. But if I wait until I’ve read the book it means dvd rather than big cinema screen! Decisions, decisions.

Piggywaspushed · 28/01/2020 18:46

Yes chessie, I feel the same , but my friend wants to see it so I am obliging!

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FranKatzenjammer · 28/01/2020 19:46

I'm going to hold off on watching the film for now, I think.

Binterested · 28/01/2020 19:55

Love that people have fallen in love with Dickens within a couple of chapters Smile

I’ve read DC lots of times and just saw the film but this has made me want to read it again. The film is good but then my mum said she didn’t enjoy it as much as the BBC series of a few years back (with a young Daniel Radcliffe as David) so we started watching that again as well and I must admit it was compelling too. I think it’s just brilliant, brilliant material.

nowanearlyNicemum · 28/01/2020 21:45

I really don't want to see the film until I've finished reading but we'll see how long that lasts!!

Wanted to reread Little Women before going to see the film but my eldest DD was so desperate to see it with me that I caved. I loved it. And will certainly reread soon.
David Copperfield is a new read for me so I don't want to 'spoil it' by watching the film. Am I being precious??

Palegreenstars · 28/01/2020 22:13

I’m definitely waiting for the film until after we finish the book. It looks great though and I’ve watched the trailer a few times to get a hint of where the story is going.

I’ve always thought the story was about David Copperfield becoming a magician. I remember talk of Daniel Radcliffe playing him pre HP. But I’ve just seen there is an actual magician called David Copperfield and am starting to feel like I made that up. No sorcery yet anyhow.

nowanearlyNicemum · 29/01/2020 08:08

Grin Grin Grin palegreenstars