Dickens is a love or hate author; I used to hate and now I love him, so I've been slowly reading through his works. David Copperfield is a much more likable, and active, orphan than [Oliver Twist]. Though, sometimes even David's life seems to be happening around him rather than him participating in it. When the tale is overly focused on expository sections about other's adventures, it's a less interesting book. But over the last half of the book, all of the set-ups Dickens lays pay begin to pay off. The zany quotient is off the charts, giving rise to a very good recent film version. While not my favorite, Copperfield has all the things which caused my love of Dickens. Not a bad place to start, if you're just starting. ( )

David is born, his father is dead, his mother a poor stupid woman. She remarries, David goes through many hardships, and ends up under the care of his great-Aunt. He makes many friends and we see how their lives go on. One particular friend, Steersforth, I am convinced will end up being the ruination of a childhood friend of David's. Nothing of his childhood hardships are gruesome, for which I am glad. ( )