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

Excellent performance

One of the best performances I have heard. A vivid mental picture of the characters.

Well worth using a credit

A Dickens classic that is easily enjoyed because of Simon Vance's brilliant performance. My 96 year old mother has just listened to it with me. What a delight!

There is a reason it’s a classic

The narrator brings to life this wonderful tale — Bildungsroman — replete with the cast of immortal characters. We hear the voices as Dickens intended them along with wicked humor and societal dissection the author is known for. A great refresher on the way English can and should be written!

More saints per capita than any book by Butler

'David Copperfield' contains more saints per capita than any beatified book by Butler. Dickens is amazing in his ability to be both grand and personal. 'David Copperfield' is sprawling, with dozens of threads that weave around David Copperfield's youth and adulthood. IT is amazing not only how he can transform a character through time, but also show that our perceptions of those same characters are drawn often from imperfect information and overly simple assumptions. Yes, there are parts of 'David Copperfield' that float between the melodramatic and the grotesque, but one doesn't read Dickens for the unmoving, normal or embellished. There are a handful of novels that I would consider to be the literary equivalent of scripture: 'Les Miserables', 'the Idiot', 'Anna Karenina', and for sure 'David Copperfield'.

There are several moments in 'David Copperfield' when, as a reader, you recognize you will never be half the writer Dickens was (on deadline). He might just be second to Shakespeare in my book, or at least be among a small cadre of writers that belong on the silver pedestal below the Bard.

This isn't as technically perfect as 'Great Expectations', but it is top tier Dickens for sure. A massive novel that floats with the weight of a beach read half its size. If you are going to read a Dickens, this might not be your first stop, but it shouldn't be far from your second.

Simply Amazing

I was admittedly intimidated by the length of this work and have passed reading this book in the past. However, my like of all things Dickens drove me to purchase this book and I have to say, it is one of the most delightful reads in my experience. Simon Vance is an amazing narrator and brings this story to life. The story is so full of richness and experience. I highly recommend this book.

Dicken's favorite character is mine, too

Fantastic memoir written by the titular character, with love, abandonment, fortitude, courage, friendship and loyalty weaved into a lively story with wonderfully drawn characters. Despite its length, I devoured this book with ease due to its readability and compelling characters. Mr. Dickens says David Copperfield is his favorite character. I have to read all of this books to truly understand this ranking but without that knowledge, I can see how he would say this.

Wonderful narrator

Simon Vance does justice to Charles Dickens's intricate story, filled with ups and downs and many, many characters of all sorts. Vance is the rare narrator who never lapses into melodrama but brings characters, male or female, to life with restrained but powerful emotion. He is a lovely narrator and Dickens's story is about so many things that seem topical now; what it means to be a family, the mistakes of a good person who lacked guidance as a child, the vicissitudes of wealth, love and justice. You will love David, Betsey Trotwood and Peggoty and feel you know them as beloved friends by the time you are halfway through the book.

In awe of Dickens’ abilities

Outstanding. I sometimes think about how I’ll rate a book as I’m reading or listening, and for the first part I had a four-star rating in mind. But the characters and plot just developed so well that I frankly spent the second half of the book in awe of Dickens’ abilities. Full of quotable quotes and beautifully descriptive writing, the only quibble I have is with some of the (too) amazing coincidences that play out, but they wind up being what you want to happen anyway.

Very enjoyable!

I've listened to this book before but heard it with new ears. Profoundly thought provoking.

One of the best

There are a few of audiobooks where the narration truly improves the story (Shutter Island is one). Since we're talking Dickens, and one of his greatest works, improvement may not be in the cards. But Vance matches the material. Tolstoy cited Chapter 51 of DC; to my mind it (and the rest of the book) ably represent what makes us human, at our best and worst.