Not Dickens's Best

If you could sum up David Copperfield in three words, what would they be?

Very long book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

More engaging than what came before, but a bit Return of the King.

What about Peter Batchelor’s performance did you like?

The challenge with Dickens is to come up with distinct voices for the huge casts of characters. Batchelor does an admirable job.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not to the same extent as with other Dickens books.

Any additional comments?

The plot is not stellar. Half way through, I wondered if it was actually going anywhere.

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The Martin Jarvis version is vastly superior

The reader has a pleasant gravely voice, though his non-London accents are a bit wild - the Suffolk characters sound slightly Irish, and children a little wimpish.

And the editing is very odd - as though they’ve over used some software to cut out silences. Sentences bump into each other.

This led me to look for alternatives after chapter 16, for which I’m glad. The Martin Jarvis version (currently free with Audible membership) is very good - brilliant characterisation and a lively reading.

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Classic story spoiled by poor editing

Any additional comments?

Lots of poor editing where the voice tone is clearly different, and new sentences starting very quickly after the previous, made the story difficult to follow in places really spoiled what is an excellent tale. I have not experienced this with any audible book before.

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Excellent

What did you like most about David Copperfield?

The story is a classic, dickens' favourite. The narration, by Peter Batchelor, is deep and his fruity voice brings the many characters to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of David Copperfield?

The death of Dora is particularly well narrated and is one of many moving scenes contained within this tour de force

Which scene did you most enjoy?

In terms of an enjoyable scene I would look no further than the come uppance of Uriah Heap. A perfect climax to one of Dickens's most despicable characters.

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3 people found this helpful

David Copperfield

Wonderful story telling at it's very. best. Enthralling for it's time. I couldn't stop listening

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Splendid

A classic story well read. Reminds what a great story teller Dickens was. I will listen again happily!

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Magnificent

One of the best narrated books I have heard for years .Peter Bachelor is fantastic. He also reads Oliver Twist .which is equally as good. BUY IT YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

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Well worth a listen

Enjoyable book and quite well read. Good value for money for such a long story. I would definitely recommend it .

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Almost a lifetime in length and amount of story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Im not convinced everyone would like this one. I get vibes from the book "Great expectations" in more than a few ways, but this feels way more dragged out. It does have more characters and character development, enough to keep it interesting most of the time.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Nothing really, has a perfect balance of tragedy and happiness as well as drama and love. Could use more conflict since most of the conflict does not effect the main character, but is between his friends.

What does Peter Batchelor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He did a fantastic job making each character unique and SUPER consistent. Really enjoyed that and it helped a lot keep the characters separate.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not a particular moment but the relationship between Copperfield and Emelie, a constant theme throughout the book that really was moving from the day they met.

Any additional comments?

I understand why this is a classic and if I understand correctly its close to, or at least based on, Dickens own life. It covers most of his life it seems, from young and foolish to old and famous. Dont think it matches up against the better "Great expectations" but has a lot more depth, so if you want something deep and long Id recommend this one. If you want something a bit darker and shorter "Great expectations" is your book. Both are fantastic in their own way and a lot of similar ways

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