David Copperfield (1850)

My favourite book. First read when I was about 11 and reread often, it had been many years since I last read it. I was anxious that the distance in time might have changed how I responded to this heartfelt story peopled with such real characters. Thankfully, the joy and sorrow remained and I know I am still the same sentimental person inside. Even though I am aware of the flaws - so many unlikely coincidences, cloying pathos at times - it still draws me into its world. Few books move me to tears. This one still does. What more can I say? ( )

It's funny, in a way that reminds me of The Cosby Show. It's the first book that's ever made me cry. By the time I got towards the end, I was as happy for characters with happy endings as I would have been if they were real people. ( )

This book is difficult to rate or review. Unlike other of Dicken's novel, this is quite interesting, fast paced, full of actions, events and dialogues. Book is long but delight to read. While interest isn't like mystery novel (which it doesn't claim to be) but is fairly strong that reader is kept longing for story to move forward. And yet, when story does end, this is no aftertaste, no lingering feelings or thoughts, no loss of narrative, no sadness of not knowing fate of characters any more. This is a good book no doubt: humour is well written, characters are greatly developed, events and storytelling is compelling, but it's also a book which is great while being read, and equally forgettable when finished. Rating thus, perhaps, stays in middle to reflect that very mindset. ( )

A beautiful edition of a great old story. ( )

Quite a saga. A veritable classic in its own right. Probably one of the most reviewed books there ever was... So I will be short. This enormous novel became part of me - even though I read it with some breaks (devoted to other books). The semi-biographical story is compelling, the characters will live in my mind for a long time. Mildly criticizing one of his characters (Mr. Micawber), Dickens says: "We talk about the tyranny of words, but we like to tyrannize over them too; we are fond of having a large superfluous establishment of words to wait upon us on great occasions; we think it looks important, and sounds well." And "....as slaves when they are too numerous rise against their masters, so I think I could mention a nation that has got into many great difficulties, and will get into many greater, from maintaining too large a retinue of words." Slightly ironic, I have to say - as if the author is admonishing his own prolifically verbose self. ( )