Book review

The book i chose to speak about is David Copperfield published in 1850 is regarded by

many readers and critics as the best novel of Charles Dickens. Drawing on events in
Dickens' early life, David Copperfield is the story of a boy orphaned at an early age who
must struggle and work hard to make his way and find an identity in the world. It is a
beautiful and enjoyable novel packed with unusual and interesting characters as well as
an excellent plot that will hold your interest throughout the book. David Copperfield is
also a social commentary on Victorian life in England during the 19th century.

The author Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England. His parents first
moved to Kent, and then at the age of 10, Dickens was living with his family in London.
A short while later after Dickens' father was arrested and sent to the debtor's prison,
Charles Dickens went to work in a London factory. Experiencing the plight of the poor
and child labor, Dickens started to write about social injustice and the need for social
reform after he was forced to quit school at the age of 15. By the age of 21, Charles
Dickens' first writings were published in 1833. In addition to David Copperfield, his other
popular and successful novels include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two
Cities, and A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens was a humanitarian who opposed
slavery in the United States. In England, he established a home for the redemption of
fallen women. During his life, Dickens was comfortable intermingling with both the
lowest to the highest class of people.

The setting in the book is in England during the first half of the 19th century. The action
of characters takes place initially in Blunderstone in Suffolk County and then in
Yarmouth three kilometers away on the North Sea. Later the story unfolds in Dover and
Canterbury in Kent County, and then in London. Characters in the novel also travel to
mainland Europe, India, and Australia.

The plot

As the novel unfolds, David Copperfield begins narrating in first person the recollection
of his first seven or eight years of life. David is born in Blunderstone only a few months
after the death of his father. A personal nursemaid, Peggoty, takes care of David, and
he is quite content until after returning home from a trip to Peggoty's brother in
Yarmouth. At that time, David learns that his mother has remarried Mr, Murdstone who
takes his sister to live with them. After David bites Murdstone in response to a severe
beating, his step-father sends him away to school at Salem House in London.

Upon enrolling at Salem House, Copperfield meets James Steerforth, an older boy, who
becomes David's protector against other students and a severe headmaster, Mr.
Creakle. David is taken out of Salem House after about a year when his mother passes
away.

Following the death of David's mother, Murdstone dismisses Peggoty and sends David
to work in a factory in London cleaning wine bottles. While in London, David meets and
lives with the Micawber family. After Micawber goes to debtor's prison and David can't
endure working in the factory any longer from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., he runs away
from the factory and walks to Dover in search of his aunt.
After David reaches Dover, he finds his great-aunt's home and is accepted by her,
Betsy Trotwood, who listens to his heart-wrenching story as an orphan. When the
Murdstone's attempt to take David back to Blunderstone, David refuses to go, and Aunt
Betsy supports her great-nephew by becoming his guardian.

David is next sent to school in Canterbury to learn in a school run by Dr. Strong. Strong
is introduced to Betsy by Mr. Pickfield who is Trotwood's lawyer. Pickfield agrees to take
in David as a boarder while he attends school. While in the Pickfield home, David meets
Agnes, Pickfield's young daughter, and Uriah Heep, a clerk.

After David graduates from Strong's school at the age of about 17, Aunt Betsy gives
David a month's vacation to decide what he wants to do with his life. While on vacation,
David reunites with James Steerforth, Both of them travel to Yarmouth to visit Peggoty
who is now married, her brother Mr, Peggotty, Emily, and Ham.

A month later, David takes Aunt Betsy's advice and is apprenticed to be a proctor with
Spenlow and Jorkins in London. While David is learning to become a proctor, he meets
and falls in love with Mr. Spenlow's young daughter, Dora. At around this time, Emily
runs away from her uncle in Yarmouth.

While David courts Dora, he learns shorthand and becomes a newspaper reporter. He
also embarks on a writing career.

Dark clouds start appearing in the novel after David marries Dora. Many unexpected
events happen which will keep you guessing up until the end of the story.

Opinion

My overral opinion on this book its a good one because this book is a real page turner
that wont let you put down the book from the first page ,with some realistitc characters
to witch you can relate to.This book describes the myserably life of the lower calss and
the weak , and stressing the importance of moral virtues such as honesty, hard work,
love, and generosity which always triumph over evil acts.Thats why i encourage you to
give it a try and be amazed yourself.