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

Never too late

What a treat it has been to enjoy this wonderful book. I am 80 years old and had never read it. I am enjoying books on Audible because my eyesight is not good.
The narrator brought this wonderful story to life. He is truly an artist. I’m sad to be finished with this marvelous presentation.

Perhaps my favorite novel

I have read or listened to this book at 15 times over the past 50 years, and each time I enjoy it more. Simon Vance does a wonderful job narrating the story. Ten thumbs up.

Incredible Narrator!

A masterpiece of a performance of a masterpiece of literature. Truly beautifully done. My first exposure to Dickens was immeasurably delightful because of this impeccable production. Distinctive voices are superbly executed without a single flaw. Cadence, expression.... everything. Outstanding.

Read this book!

This could be the best book I’ve ever read: the pathos which runs through the narrative, Copperfield’s strong sense of decency to others throughout the course of his life, peppered with his own philosophy of the work ethic. The characters tug at one’s heartstrings as they all evolve through the story; they became so familiar to me that I will miss them.

Loved it!

Don’t know why I never read this before but am so glad I finally did. What a wonderful, rich story!

David Copperfield is awesome.

Wonderful narrator who does true justice to an outstanding classic.

Masterful Interpretation of a Masterpiece

David Copperfield ??? Charles Dickens


I think I first met David Copperfield about 40 years ago. I???ve read and reread this book many times. I was very, very choosey when it came to investing time and money on an audio version. Simon Vance did not let me down, and performing this book must have been a gargantuan task. Every voice from the incurable Mr. Micawber to the obscure Miss Mowcher was exactly as I expected them to be. Some of his female voices simpered annoyingly, but then the characters simper annoyingly so that is as it should be. Vance???s interpretations of Miss Betsy (???Janet! Donkeys! ), and Mrs. Micawber (???I never will desert you, Micawber!) were perfect. When David tried to sell his jacket to the dreadful old man (Oh, my lungs and liver, what do you want? Oh, goroo, gorooo), Vance had me feeling so scared I wanted to run away myself.
This book is so full of wonderful characters and so many little alleyways of sub-plots that I???ve always forgotten bits of it between readings. Listening instead of reading forced my attention to descriptive nuances that I might have missed. I remembered, of course, how slimy and despicable Uriah Heep was, but I???d forgotten how sarcastically funny he could be.
(???You know what I want??? said my aunt. ???A straight-waistcoat,??? said he.) I???d completely forgotten Miss Mowcher and her revenge on the evil Mr. Littimer.
Now I???m completely filled up with David Copperfield trivia. I highly recommend this book and this recording.

The Perfect Story

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.” So opens the greatest story ever told of a youngster's journey into adulthood and amour.

Nearly 20 years after writing David Copperfield, Dickens wrote that, "like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favorite child. And his name is David Copperfield."

In no novel did Dickens have as colorful a set of characters and character names as in this one - from Peggotty, David's childhood maid and lifelong friend, Wilkins Micawber, his melodramatic landlord, James Steerforth, the cad of a school friend, Uriah Heep, the all-time most despicable sycophant in all of literature, and his love Dora (“Lovers had loved before, and lovers would love again; but no lover had ever loved, might, could, would, or should ever love, as I loved Dora.").

As with most of his novels, Dickens brought to light a social evil--here, the working conditions of minors, as David was (8 or 9) when his evil stepfather Murdstone took him out of school (after David's mom died) and sent him to work in London.

“I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything.”

It's nearly indescribable how much I identified with this novel. It may not be the best novel of all time (structure, conflicts, character development and all that jazz - I think that's "Anna Karenina"), but I think's Charles Dickens' DAVID COPPERFIELD is the best story. If you haven't read it or it's been a while, you should pick it up.

Funny, heartbreaking, and a magnificent narrator

I'm not sure I could live without Simon Vance (the narrator). Between Dickens's characters and Vance's interpretations of them, we are given this gift of "David Copperfield" brought to life. The only downside of this book for me is that Dickens strays from time to time into more sentimentality than seems believable, but this is a quibble. Vance's characterizations of the Macawber family and of Betsey Trotwood are hysterical. There is, of course, plenty of heartbreak in the book, and I found myself genuinely touched by many scenes. This is one heck of a great way to experience "David Copperfield."

Great book!

I agree with Joan, this is an awesome book. It was a huge surprise to me that I liked it. This was unexpected pleasure. I only tried after reading after seeing so many good reviews. This is a true classic – stands the test of time.