David Copperfield

1850, 1951 The Modern Readers' Series edition, abridged by Edith Freelove Smith
Charles Dickens
Illustrated by Harriet Savage Smith
The Personal History of David Copperfield the Younger
Original price unknown, bought $1.95
Worn hardcover, possibly with mold
B


This novel is more entertaining than it has any right to be, considering it's just autobiographical details (e.g. D.C. = C.D.), characters with funny names, a lot of crying, and a series of "surprising" reunions.  However, Dickens doesn't just fictionalise his life; he finds what works best in a story.  Some of the characters do have funny names-- and Richard Armour would point out the humour in someone using "Tommy Traddles" for credit-- but that makes them all the more memorable.  As for the crying and the reunions, well, Dickens was writing this as a serial, and those were the sorts of things that kept bringing the readers back.  He's good at spinning a tale, and even in the 21st century there's something about this tale that makes readers want to keep going, implausible as the plot gets at times.

A few words about the Smiths with the wonderful middle names.  I hadn't realized till this reading that this was an abridgement, so I can't tell you what's left out, or if the book would be better or worse in the original.  The illustrations are done with the people in silhouette and the backgrounds lightly detailed.  This edition was clearly meant for students, since it ends with "Questions on the Text."  My favorite of these is "Do you like Dora?  Do you admire her?  Which would you prefer as a friend, Dora or Agnes?"  I don't know how people would answer in the 1850s or the 1950s, but it's hard to warm up to a character so feather-brained that the mere thought of doing the accounts or even the cooking makes her swoon.  (Also, her dog Jip must rank as one of the most annoying pets in fiction.)  Agnes, on the other hand, is likable and admirable, so it's a relief that she doesn't marry the "umble" Uriah Heep.