David Copperfield [Trout Lake Media]

By: Charles Dickens

Narrated by: Peter Batchelor

Length: 32 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Dickens called David Copperfield his "favourite child," and many critics consider the novel to be one of his best depictions of childhood. Set in early Victorian England against a backdrop of great social change, Dickens acutely observed the phenomena of the Industrial Revolution and used them as the canvas on which he painted the novel. Many consider David Copperfield to be the author’s finest work.

Public Domain (P)2013 Trout Lake Media

Wonderful Listening Experience

Would you listen to David Copperfield again? Why?

No, I already know the outcome, but as I read it, I did replay several scenes because they were so delightful.

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

not sure because this was my first experience at listening to fiction. I usually listen to history, biography or other non-fiction

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

wonderful expression...he does the voices of the different characters that brought the book alive. I can't believe how much of a listening "page turner" it was..because of Dickens's always-interesting and entertaining characters. Had I simply read the story, I don't think I would have imagined a lot of the characters's voices...This narrator was really perfect for this novel.

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

well, you can't because it is so long.

Any additional comments?

This was my first time listening to non-fiction. I do a two hour commute every day (both ways) and I can't recommend this book enough. At first I was concerned that maybe I would forget the previous day, so I checked out a copy from the library to review sometimes a little bit before the next time...but I only had to do that a couple of times.I even did my weekend 3 mile runs with this in my iPod! Another first for me...I highly recommend this book.. In fact, I am going to purchase another Dickens book read by this narrator.It is one of my favorite books so far from audible...and I've been a member for over three years.

great narration, poor audio quality

The narrator was great, but it was a pretty quiet recording and there were quite a few moments when it was clear that recording stopped and started, and there were some strange volume inconsistencies. But I paid 97¢ and it was a good deal for that price.

Excellent!

The story is great! Very romantic for a male protagonist. The reader does an amazing job with voices & accents.

First time I've heard Peter Batchelor narrate

Such a great story and perfectly read by Mr. Batchelor. I loved all the characters and each personality was brought out by his consistent characterization voice. Especially Uriah Heap! I could just picture his sniveling slimy self in the voice used to portray him. Even the women's voices were matched well to the character. Thank you Mr. Batchelor for bringing alive an old favorite! I will certainly look for other books read by you.

Listeners won't be disappointed even if you've heard the story many times!

Wonderful classic enriched by the performance

This is a marvelous classic tale, and the style in which the characters are brought to life through the narrative and performance of Peter is out standing.

Now At Age Of Appreciation

The whole "show" was humbling I really enjoyed ThE readings and his voices reminds me of childhood story book records. Ashamed that they were stolen around 20yrs ago. They were the escape. Some of you may understand If not, GOD BLESSED YOU in that way.
Tomorrow let the phrase pay it forward' be a goal in your day.

Thank You

Fitting rendition of a classic

Peter Batchelor does more then justice to Dickens' epic fictionalised memoir. As a first-person narrative it is ideally suited for the intimacy of the audiobook format, and Batchelor is throughout at one with the material, his deep baritone rolling on with unflagging verve through the yarn's decades. Unavoidably he recedes a little on the female parts, particularly the vapid ingenue Dora, but his range and variety on the male characters is vast. My favourite was the Cockney climber Uriah Heep, but the country boatman Dan Peggotty's tones were rich and dark as gravy on the ear. Dickens' themes of upbringing and maturity are woven densely through the story, which is studded with moving moments as well as richly comic scenes, mostly involving the hapless Mr Micawber. After 32 hours the end left me wanting more.

Absolutely wonderful.

The only negative that I can give this audio book is that I didn't listen to it sooner. Peter Bachelor is a marvelous narrator. He devoted himself so wholely to each character's personality that I forgot it was but one person that narrated. I believe this story to be Charles Dickens finest work. It ran through all of my emotions and I am better for have listening to it.

Awesome book and performance!!

Very well read. Very well written. A true delight to listen to while I work.

A classic

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

Reading, or in this case hearing a novel of this standing is a pleasure. I was reminded while listening to it that the original was published a serialized form and that each installment was probably very often read aloud for an evenings entertainment.

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

David Copperfield has been named as the novel most autobiographical penned by Charles Dickens. All of his writings give us a wide range of characters along with the inevitable struggle of good and evil. David Copperfield does this well and gives us a "proper story" where goodness prevails and evil is punished which may well be why it endures. Because its length and the rising and falling fortunes of the characters, I was sad to reach the book's end.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to a few audiobooks now and have made some discoveries. Bass voices do not lend themselves to easy understanding if the selection is played in an automobile. The lower register competes with road noise. While the reader gave a very good rendition to a wide range of characters and paid careful attention to match the rendering with the description of the character's voice, he was at times hard to hear.