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

amazing performance

Let's take it as a given that Dickens was a great writer. Even if you have read the book in hardcover, consider listening to it. Simon Vance's narration is the best I've heard in the 200+ books I've bought. He brings the colorful characters to life.

Any easy way to 'read' Dickens

I listened to 'David Copperfield' while driving to and from work. At stressful times during my shift, I found myself anticipating my escape into this compelling story at the end of the day.
Simon Vance's audio depiction of the multitude of characters in this book is superb. Old or young, male or female, city or country, his capture of the character’s voice is impeccable. Dickens’ prose can be quite wordy and I doubt I would have finished the book if I was actually reading it, but having such a good audio presentation made it easy to enter David Copperfield’s world and travel with him through his fascinating, and sometimes sad, life. If you have never read Dickens, I recommend you meet David Copperfield, Betsey Trotswood, Mr Dick, Mr and Mrs Micawber, Peggotty, Mr Barkis, Thomas Traddles, and of course, the most ‘umble and slimy Uriah Heep.

Magnificent!

Enjoy this old fashioned rags to riches tale spiced with social commentary still relevant today

Still has its pleasures

I read some Charles Dickens during my school days, but I’m not sure that really counts. When one has a 16-year-old’s limited experience of the world, it’s hard to understand what’s so great about the “great” literature our teachers make us read. Approaching David Copperfield as an adult, though, I’m much more able to perceive Dickens’s gifts as an observer of the world, a social critic, a humorist, and a storyteller.

This novel was, of course, originally serialized entertainment, meant to have the same effect on audiences as Mad Men or Downton Abbey do now -- i.e. readers would get hooked and eagerly await the next installment. Being from Victorian times, the content is a lot tamer than what we’re used to on Netflix, but there’s some serious drama, as well as observations of human nature that are as astute as ever.

This tale follows the coming-of-age of young David Copperfield, who endures the loss of his parents, a cold stepfather, a poorly-run boarding school, and the workhouse, but gets by with a little help from friends, such as the generous family servant, Peggotty, his eccentric aunt, Betsey Trotwood, and the ever-grandiose, ever-indebted Mr. Micawber. As he comes up in the world, David falls in love (with varying degrees of good judgment), finds employment, faces some schemers with bad intentions, and becomes a writer.

Dickens’s cast of quirky characters is written with imagination and flourish, with such colorfully distinct mannerisms and proclivities that J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter denizens feel like cheap imitations. It was impossible for me not to enjoy the absurdly melodramatic and irresponsible Micawber, the opinionated Ms. Trotwood, or the addled-brained Mr. Dick, who has trouble keeping Charles the First (died 1649) out of his personal memoirs. The villains are vividly drawn and memorable, as well, such as the obsequious, creepy Uriah Heep, or the affable, manipulative golden boy, James Steerforth, the template for a character that’s seems to have appeared in every prep school story since.

Also notable are Dickens's liberal views (for the time) of society. The trials of the destitute and downcast are examined, with most of the good-hearted, honest characters coming from the working class, while the colder, more duplicitous ones are those that grasp at wealth, power, and social standing. Dickens makes no secret of his feelings on the ineffectiveness of tyrannical schoolteachers, or towards those that seduce young women and leave them to unjustly face the slut-shaming mindset of Victorian society.

Dickens also gets his share of bashing from modern readers, and I don’t totally disagree. Yes, he can be long-winded and maudlin, and tends to lead his readers by the hand towards how he wants them to feel. For me, the book lost steam in the second half, after it became obvious where the different threads in the story were headed, and the charm of the caricatures that are the supporting characters began to wear off. And David himself becomes a bit grating, having little to do in the latter part of the novel besides receive adoration from others, be in love, and write novels -- it felt transparently self-serving on the part of the author.

Still, I can't find too much fault with this novel for being what it was, a work of popular entertainment. The writing is so immersive that I have little doubt its scenes and characters will leave an impression on my memory for years to come. Dickens's droll sense of humor and his attention to the world around him are still a pleasure. For a trip back into mid-19th century England, it may be difficult to do better.

Lastly, I have to commend audiobook voice actor Simon Vance for nailing the narration. From Mr. Peggotty’s salty accent to Uriah Heep’s groveling, he really brings out the characters.

Worth the effort

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Especially if they have long road trips ahead.

What did you like best about this story?

Complexity and detail

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Wilkins Micawber

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no no no no no. 32 hours?! are you kidding?

Any additional comments?

The book is lengthy but worth it. At times, I thought to give it up, but pressed on and am grateful for having done so.

Wonderfully entertaining

This audible book was a delightful companion during my summer driving through the deserts of the west. Dickens was brilliant - funny, opinionated, compassionate, and moving. Simon Vance did a marvelous job of bouncing between David, Dora, Aunt Betsey and the rest of the characters. The people of London must have so looked forward to the next installment of this series. We are so fortunate to be able to turn on an ipod and be taken back a century to another land. People have not changed over the centuries, but the talent to write like Dickens seems to have disappeared. This book is a gift.

Just the kind of "wordy" entertainment I enjoy.

What made the experience of listening to David Copperfield the most enjoyable?

Simon Vance makes any book come alive.

What other book might you compare David Copperfield to and why?

Great Expectations was equally as good.

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just as good. I have several audiobooks narrated by him & love them all.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Dickens has a way of making me giggle, which I love. There were some special moments when he describes the interaction between mother & baby.

Any additional comments?

I wish we used vocabulary as multi-colored as Dickens.

Great listen

This was my first Charles Dickens; I think the review "Dickens in Full Sentimental Mode" captures my reaction well. The characters were brilliantly drawn and vivid. I think it could have been trimmed a bit without being hurt, and a few of the resolutions of story lines and the happy ending did feel a bit contrived, but I loved spending time with these characters. I stand in awe of Simon Vance's narration, and wish I could shake his hand. By chance I listened to the interview with Lemony Snicket that's available (free) on Audible just as I started this novel. Snicket narrated three of his wonderful "Series of Unfortunate Events" novels but, as he describes in the interview, he found it the most grueling experience of his life and had to pass the job over to Tim Curry (too bad, as we loved Snicket's readings). He conveyed how very difficult it is to narrate a book, which made Vance's narration of Copperfield seem all the more awesome. Vance can do voices, and brought them all to wonderful life. All in all, a great listen!

Delightful

My favorite book and wonderfully read. I tend to be picky about audio books, but Simon does an exemplary job.

If you like Dickens or similar wordy authors, then this beautifully written book of melancholy about a boy’s journey through life is a must.

Brings a Classic to Life

If you could sum up David Copperfield in three words, what would they be?

Heartfelt, detailed, human.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Periodic style with well-developed personal interactions, growing in depth through the time of the story. Fruity and convoluted phrasing was good fun, but not terribly efficient at times; a product of it's time.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

Uriah Heep - be he ever so humble - comes across very clearly as a grubby character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

For me it was more of a review after having read it years ago at school. Probably better with the reading of characters in the audio format, by a good narrator. A few good chuckles, but no tears.