David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

10/10

My problems with this book cover are threefold. First, I could only find a small photo of it and not a huge picture like I am accustomed to posting. Second, it has the "Click to look inside!" on the top (which I hate for my blog), but I can only find a photo that has it. And third, I hate book covers of movie characters on the front. But it is the cover of the book that I actually read and so I had to stay true. But at least it has Kramer and Forrest Gump's mom as two of the actors. Although I have no clue on which characters they represent in the TNT Original Film. The reason being is that there are seriously like 50 characters in this book.

Sorry for the pointless intro. Now, this book was absolutely terrific. It has been well documented by me that I am a Dickens fan. I have read several of his books (many already discussed within this very blog) and the guy can just flat out write. And this book is no exception. I mean, to be able to write about so many different important characters (each with distinct characteristics and personalities) with different important storylines and to have all of their lives intertwine smoothly and flawlessly in Dickens-esque fashion just never ceases to amaze.

I will not really go into the plot at all because I think it best to keep these posts somewhat short, but it is about a boy named David, mistreated in his youth (common Dickens storyline), and follows his life as he grows up and experiences life's joys, trials, and lessons (both personally and by observation of those around him). It really is quite the sweeping epic tale.

Quickly I wanted to just list my favorite characters of the many: Mcawber (so many good ones from this guy who is always hatching up attempted profitable schemes that fail miserably), Mr. Dick (this guy is pure comedy, also somewhat mentally deficient I do believe), David (of course, he is a good dude), and Uriah Heep (cool name and I always do enjoy a good villain; plus, for some reason I always pictured him to look exactly like Scut Farkus from A Christmas Story). Other great characters include Ham, the Murdstones, Steelforth, Peggotty, and many more. I think that is why I truly enjoy Dickens. He creates some great, timeless characters.

Also, one last word before the quotes, of all the books Dickens wrote, this was his favorite. That kinda, by itself, gives one a bit of an idea of how fantastic this book is. He said, "Of all my books, I like this the best. It will be easily believed that I am a fond parent to every child of my fancy, and that no one can ever love that family as dearly as I love them. But, like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is DAVID COPPERFIELD."

Quotes:

"Never do to-morrow what you can do to-day. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!"

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery. The blossom is blighted, the leaf is withered, the God of day goes down upon the dreary scene, and - and in short you are for ever floored." One of my favorite Dickens quotes.

"I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end...Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness."

"It has always been in my observation of human nature, that a man who has any good reason to believe in himself never flourishes himself before the faces of other people in order that they may believe in him. For this reason, I retained my modesty in very self-respect; and the more praise I got, the more I tried to deserve."

"There never were greed and cunning in the world yet, that did not do too much, and over-reach themselves. It is as certain as death."