Book Review: David Copperfield

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Recommended For: Ages 10 to Adult (reading and interest level)

Rating: PG

Young David Copperfield has a wonderful life until his mother remarries a stern, hard man named Mr. Murdstone. Bringing with him his even harder sister Miss Murdstone, young David's life is made a misery. After continually failing at his lessons and biting Mr. Murdstone, David is sent to a boarding school where he makes several friends. After something tragic happens, David is sent to work in Mr. Murdstone's bottling business, where he boards with the Micawber family. Finally, it gets to be too much for him and he runs away to his aunt, Betsy Trotwood, whom he has never laid eyes on. And there is where the true adventure begins.

It always takes me a long time to finish a Dickens book. I started this book not long after I finished Nicholas Nickleby and Hard Times. Now that I've finished it, I may be able to say that this has been my favorite Dickens book I've read so far, and I've read five completely through. Although I forgot some of the more minor characters and events because it had been so long since I  had picked it up, I still enjoyed it very much.

Writing: 5/5
Charles Dickens is an impeccable writer. This book is no exception. It is written very well.

Setting: 5/5
As all Dickens' books, it is set in England. It is very realistic and vivid. You can envision the places they're at.

Plot: 5/5
Oh, my goodness. While as with any Dickens book, it is difficult to extract the main central plot, it is still very good. Complicated and twisted, but in a good way. In a way, this is all part of the Dickens charm. I always wanted to read more.

Character Development: 5/5
It is this that makes Charles Dickens such a unique and great writer. From Mr. Micawber to Steerforth to friendly Tommy Traddles to humble and conniving Uriah Heep to the interesting Aunt Betsy Trotwood to the sweet and well-influencing Agnes Wickfield to the complex David Copperfield himself, every character in this book is rich and fleshed out and unique.

In other words, this is one acclaimed classic you don't want to miss! Now maybe I can focus on finishing Great Expectations...