David Copperfield

7/10

This is a fine book and an epic book, in both its length and scope. While it does move along at a steady pace for the most part, it is maybe a bit directionless and unfocused at times. The core characters are very well-developed, and, surprisingly, it was far funnier than I anticipated. The beef with the butcher (now a constable) is particularly comical as was Barkis [is willin’] throwing out his catchphrase for the final time as he passes, arguing with Dora during their ‘engagement’, and Micawber’s letters and delusional self-confidence. While parts are beautifully written and express keen insights (e.g. “what she had been unable to repress when her heart lay open to me by an accident, I felt would be a rough deed, unworthy of myself, unworthy in the light of our pure childhood, which I always saw encircling her head“; “and so I am not afraid to write that I never had loved Steerforth better than when the ties that bound me to him were broken“), the majority of the text is merely functional. ‘Tearful moments’ included, Emily’s secret letter back to the boat/house appealing for word on Mr. Peggoty, Mrs. Gummidge’s plea to go with the gang to Oz, and dropping Steerforth’s corpse off at his home

With regard to plot points: Steerforth taking off with Lil Em’ly was so unsurprising as was David eventually hooking up with Agnes. I saw both coming a mile off. To prevent David from ending his marriage or minding an unwanted dog, thus retaining his ‘good guy’ persona, his poor child-wife and Gip had to die simultaneously. The book’s love for its central character is a bit too much at times. The only way it could be made more obvious upon whom this successful author is based would be if he invented Christmas at one point. Towards the end it comments that Traddles is going bald, but good old perfect David has a full head. It’s the same thing for Aunt Betsey. Instead of giving her maid Janet the sack to recruit Peggoty, Janet conveniently decides to tie the knot, leaving a timely vacancy. This was among many plot contrivances where story came before character, in what is generally a character driven book. 

Added to this are instances where one of the seven or eight focal characters just appear out of nowhere so the reader doesn’t forget about them. Examples include: Trotwood is visiting Uriah and his mother in Canterbury, Micawber just happens to be walking past the door and sees him; Davy is boozed up at the theatre in London and Agnes shows up after an extended absence; Traddles appears at Dora’s house, having been MIA since Salem House; meeting Mr. Peggoty randomly in London while he is taking a break from searching for Emily; Martha appears again after years to, unseen by Mr. Peggoty, eavesdrop on a conversation and later is found in around an hour in London city; Mr. Chillip appears out of nowhere to provide an update on the Murdstones; and Uriah Heep/Littimer being locked up in Creakle’s prison.

Ultimately, while the book was great, too much effort was devoted to wrapping up the story for all the core characters. There is honestly not a single loose end in the story (except what happened to the waiter that tricked Davy out of his beer and dinner on the way to Salem House originally?). Even Mr. Mell resurfaces as Dr. Mell (obviously was not supervised by Pat) years later in Oz, hanging out with Micawber’s gang. 

One major comedy quote is from when David is trying to save money: “I made a perfect victim of myself. I even entertained some idea of putting myself on a vegetable diet, vaguely conceiving that, in becoming a graminivorous animal, I should sacrifice to Dora“.