David Copperfield

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 33 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

David Copperfield is the quintessential novel by England's most beloved novelist. Based in part on Dickens's own life, it is the story of a young man's journey from an unhappy and impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among its gloriously vivid cast of characters, he encounters his tyrannical stepfather, Mr. Murdstone; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble yet treacherous Uriah Heep; the frivolous, enchanting Dora; and one of literature's great comic creations, the magnificently impecunious Mr. Micawber - a character resembling Dickens's own father.

In David Copperfield - the novel he described as his "favorite child" - Dickens drew revealingly on his own experiences to create one of his most exuberant and enduringly popular works, filled with tragedy and comedy in equal measure.

©1923 Public Domain (P)2009 Tantor

Wow

The greatest narration of all time. An absolute gem of a book! It is a masterpiece.

Quintessential Dickens, wonderfully presented

Having begun to read Dickens again after all
these years, I couldn’t have chosen a better starting point. David Copperfield represents Dickens at his best. The audio book is beautifully and lovingly performed. Absolutely perfect!

Truly inspired.

Incredible English classic read by a most gifted narrator. I honestly became quite sad when the story was ending. Most highly recommended.

Transported

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Thank you Mr. Vance. It was lovely to spend so many hours with you. The pictures you and Mr. Dickens have put in my head are as welcome as a good friend.

Great characters and a story with twists and turns

Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors and "David Copperfield" is the most autobiographical of his novels. A tale of a young boy's development through his birth to a widowed mother, the trials of cruel step-parents and school masters, to the loving support of his nurse Peggotty, and aunt Betsey Trotwood.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, and the fabulous characters - the solidness of Peggotty and her family, the excentricity of Aunt Betsey, the loveliness of Agnes, the good-hearted theatrical financial irresponsibility of Micawber and his faithful wife, and finally the gruesomeness of Uriah Heep (I truly cringed at some fo the descriptions).

The one part that drove me crazy was David or Trot's child-bride Dora. Funny that critisism of "saccharine sentamentality" by some authors including Henry James, Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf.

The narration by Simon Vance was superb. Excellent fun.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but.....

I really wasn't sure what to expect. At 33 hours it seemed to be huge, and hearing that Charles Dickens was relatively dry I had no idea what to expect. However I was pleasantly surprised at the speed and pace of the story The Brilliance of the narrator and the Brilliance of the story itself. A classic tale of Rags to Riches of good versus evil of love triumphing; a great story I'm glad I read it.

Superb

Where does David Copperfield rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Saying that Dickens is an incredibly talented author is redundant. Simon Vance though is a surprise. He is an incredibly talented narrator who vividly brings alive this wonderful novel. I have listened to many audible books, but this is now my favourite.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the characters that Dickens created. I also appreciated the social comment made by "David Copperfield" on the morals and standards of Victorian era.

David Copperfield...

My favorite character in my favorite book by my favorite author. We should all aspire to the humanity of David "Trotwood" Copperfield. He is my literary measure of kindness and civility. And although the story has its share of villains...the good intentions and kindness of this epic inspires both smiles and tears. The narration of Simon Vance fashioning unique voices for each character no matter how minor...evolving those voices as the characters mature and change through years and experience is staggering in its brilliance. I bought and will re-listen to the entire Dickens library voiced by Mr. Vance. The genius of Dickens shines in all his work, but David Copperfield transcends.

David Copperfield .. well done!

Charles Dickens could turn a word with such satisfactory adeptness it gives me pleasure to listen to any portion of his works just for the word smithing. Simon Vance gives such a wonderful performance that I could listen with delight for hours on end.

LOVED IT!

Simon Vance's performance was full of feeling and rhythmical dialect. From young 'Master Davey' to all the very colorful characters that surround young Copperfield in his search for belonging and home. Dickens paints wonderful scenery and feeling with his pen from chapter to chapter and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Great for the entire family.