Beginning in 1854 up through to his death in 1870, Charles Dickens abridged and adapted many of his more popular works and performed them as staged readings. This version, each page illustrated with lovely watercolor paintings, is a beautiful example of one of these adaptations.

Because it is quite seriously abridged, the story concentrates primarily on the extended family of Mr. Peggotty: his orphaned nephew, Ham; his adopted niece, Little Emily; and Mrs. Gummidge, self-described as "a lone lorn creetur and everythink went contrairy with her." When Little Emily runs away with Copperfield's former schoolmate, leaving Mr. Peggotty completely brokenhearted, the whole family is thrown into turmoil. But Dickens weaves some comic relief throughout the story with the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber, and David's love for his pretty, silly "child-wife," Dora. Dark nights, mysterious locations, and the final destructive storm provide classic Dickensian drama. Although this is not David Copperfield in its entirety, it is a great introduction to the world and the language of Charles Dickens.

From AudioFile
Like a visit with old friends, this production of David Copperfield assumes that the listener is familiar with the Dickens milieu. The emphasis is on Dickens's colorful characters, who appear one after another in performances consistently deft and sure. Even the grotesque are played with a restraint that retains their humanity. Music and sound effects are used well, but sparingly, never distracting from the voices. J.N. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Gr. 8^-12. This is not the great classic novel but a few little-known episodes that Dickens excerpted from the book for his dramatic public readings. His performances were for adults who knew the book, and it's only readers familiar with the novel who will understand what's going on. This large-size volume is for teens interested in book illustration and dramatic performance. Marks (who illustrated Over the Hills and Far Away: A Book of Nursery Rhymes [1993]) captures the romance and the comedy of the excerpts with watercolor paintings on every page. But generally this is theatrical Dickens for nostalgic adults. Hazel Rochman

Review
"The most perfect of all the Dickens novels."
--Virginia Woolf


From the Trade Paperback edition.

FROM OUR EDITORS

This greatly loved classic, considered to be autobiographical, follows the life of David Copperfield through suffering and great adversity as it reveals many light-hearted moments in the company of some of literature's greatest characters: the Micawbers, Uriah Heep, Steerforth, and many others. Humorous, dramatic, ironic, and tender, David Copperfield was Dickens's own "favorourite child" among his works. Four cassettes. Running time: Approx. 5 3/4 hours.

ANNOTATION

Dickens himself prepared this text from the novel especially for his own public readings he frequently gave of his works.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Growing up is never easy -- especially if your name happens to be David Copperfield. Orphaned as an infant, David must sufferthe privations and cruelties of his evil stepfather, Mr. Murdstone -- who packs David away to a workhouse at the age of ten! A trusting but vulnerable boy and practically alone in the world, David finds himself time after time at the mercy of a rogue's gallery of characters: the dashing but deceitful Steerforth, the detestable clerk Uriah Heep, and, last but not least, the beautiful ditzy Dora. With friends like these it's a miracle that David grows up at all!

SYNOPSIS

Introduction and Afterword by Joe Wheeler

Among the Focus on the Family Great Stories collection, David Copperfield is a perennial favorite. In this story of an innocent orphan making his way in an uncaring world, Dickens draws a gallery of memorable characters into young David's life, such as jovial Mr. Micawber and the sniveling, sinister Uriah Heep. Joe Wheeler's introduction and discussion questions provide additional clarity for today's reader. David Copperfield, with its message of hope amidst harsh reality, has been called the greatest growing-up book ever written.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile - Rebecca Bartlett Fischer