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David Copperfield cover art

David Copperfield

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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Summary

Between his work on the 2014 Audible Audiobook of the Year, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel, and his performance of Classic Love Poems, narrator Richard Armitage (The Hobbit, Hannibal) has quickly become a listener favorite. Now, in this defining performance of Charles Dickens' classic David Copperfield, Armitage lends his unique voice and interpretation, truly inhabiting each character and bringing real energy to the life of one of Dickens' most famous characters.

This epic, exuberant novel is one of the greatest coming-of-age stories in literature, chronicling David Copperfield's extraordinary journey through life as he encounters villains, saviors, eccentrics, and grotesques - including the wicked Mr. Murdstone, stouthearted Peggotty, formidable Betsey Trotwood, impecunious Micawber, and the odious Uriah Heep. Dickens' great novel (based, in part, on his own boyhood and which he described as a "favorite child") is a work filled with life, both comic and tragic.

Listen to Richard Armitage bring Dickens' words to life, and you'll understand why Virginia Woolf called David Copperfield "the most perfect of all the Dickens novels".

Public Domain (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about David Copperfield

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  • JD
  • 21-02-16

Brought me back to Dickens

Would you consider the audio edition of David Copperfield [Audible Studios] to be better than the print version?

Yes. Mr Armitage 'performs' rather than 'reads', so it is like watching the whole book in my mind's eye - he brings all the characters and scenes to startling life.

What other book might you compare David Copperfield [Audible Studios] to, and why?

The only proper comparison would be with another Dickens' book - and I've listened to none of these. However, I shall make a comparison with Mr Armitage's audiobook, 'Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: The Novel' because both have complex story-lines and vividly voiced characters. I would also make a comparison with his reading of Bernard Cornwell's 'Lords of the North' for similar reasons, but, oddly and unlike all his other audiobooks, Audible have not added this to their collection.

Which character – as performed by Richard Armitage – was your favourite?

So many are brilliant, it is difficult to choose: Uriah Heep, Mr Creakle, Rosa Dartle, Mr Micawber, Betsey Trotwood, Mr Peggotty, Steerforth etc. But, one character I had forgotten all about when I read the book years ago is the dwarf lady, Miss Mowcher. He has given her an unexpected Liverpudlian accent and it was an absolute delight to listen to her. On the written page, she made no impact, but, in this audiobook, she is totally memorable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is far, far too long for one sitting. It took me 10 days, listening to a chunk per day. I think there is so much going on and so many vivid moments to enjoy that, spreading it out like this is the best way to appreciate what both Dickens and Mr Armitage have achieved together.

Any additional comments?

This reading has brought me back to an appreciation of Dickens - his characterisation, his humour, his story-telling and his ability to relate tragic scenes. Chapter 56, which describes a violent storm and the loss of 3 ships at sea, including two of the book's characters, had me sitting there with tears streaming down my face. Charles Dickens and Richard Armitage are a perfect combination. Very well done, both you guys!

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41 people found this helpful

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Sublime

How do I do justice to this epic novel and towering performance from Richard Armitage? A truly great story with birth, death, loss, cruelty, love, loyalty and many more themes covered by a master storyteller. It's sometimes hard to believe it's one man reading with the dozens of voices, all so different and distinctive. He and Dickens made me laugh out loud and cry as well as making me angry, sad, outraged, happy and hopeful. I cannot recommend this audiobook enough and hope it's not too long before Richard Armitage does another.

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29 people found this helpful

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Brilliant!

This is probably the best known of Dickens' novels and this unabridged reading is absolutely first class. T he narrator manages to bring very well-known characters to new life. The accents are varied: the basic narration ( David's voice) is convincing both as a young boy and mature man. It's just a wonderful listen. The most difficult thing with Dickens is bringing out the humour, the Micawbers and the redoubtable Miss Mowcher made me laugh out loud. Imagine Lily Savage and Lenny Henry! The sad parts are sad, the funny parts are funny and the dramatic bits are totally convincing. Buy it! You'll listen to it again and again.

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14 people found this helpful

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David Copperfield brought to Life!

I'm a huge fan of Charles Dickens, who is a master storyteller and a genius at creating extraordinary and memorable characters. The supremely talented and very versatile Richard Armitage gives us a really impressive interpretation of all the characters and does full justice to Dickens' masterpiece. It's an artistic/literary 'marriage' made in heaven in my opinion, and I hope Richard can be convinced to do more narrations for Audible in the future.

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9 people found this helpful

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Exemplary narration from Richard Armitage

Having listened (and enjoyed) the audible dramatized version of David Copperfield narrated by Miriam Margoyles, Timothy Spall et al, I was somewhat loathe to spend one of my audible credits just to listen to the unabridged version read by Richard Armitage. However I took the plunge, and can only say that I'm very pleased that I did. Richard has the most wonderfully mellifluous baritone voice, and has an amazing ability to change accent/pace/tone etc according to character. As he reads he gives the impression that he's totally immersed in the story himself, and so the humorous subtleties are revealed in the telling. I could listen to Richard Armitage read the phone book, having him read Dickens is just sublime!
👍👍👍👍👍

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6 people found this helpful

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Stunning performance

Couldn't stop listening - this was a fantastic performance - wonderful voices bringing the characters to life - truly compelling.

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6 people found this helpful

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Addictive - I couldn't stop listening

Would you listen to David Copperfield [Audible] again? Why?

Yes. The story has such rich characters which are brought alive by the dramatic performance of Richard Armitage

Which character – as performed by Richard Armitage – was your favourite?

Uriah Heep, his slimy creepiness was so well articulated closely followed by Betsy Trotwood but they were all fantastic and so individual including Traddles, Micawber, Dora and Agnes.

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4 people found this helpful

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Delightful Dickens

A wonderful,sensitive and amusing reading or rather all embracing performance of this iconic book. I love Dickens but sometimes get a bit bogged down with the density of the language. This reading has convinced me that his writing comes alive when it is read aloud and all those varied characters are brought to life. Listening has even made the process of reading his work myself much easier .

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4 people found this helpful

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Charles Dickens favourite book...

I was FORCED to read Dickens at school, with Oliver Twist, which I found to be depressing and old-fashioned. I developed an avoidance of all things Dickens, as a result. Possibly foolish but it did allow me to grow, mature and have a better appreciation of life.
I decided to try David Copperfield, not knowing the story but very much admiring Richard Armitage as the narrator.

What a wonderful story! With a mixture of characters vile and loveable. Richard Armitage can create voices that so perfectly fit the character, especially Micawber and Uriah Heep.

I recommend this audio book.

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3 people found this helpful

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Davis Copperfield

I've spent a holiday in Rhodes listening to this masterpiece of a novel. I am in Lindos, which is a magnificent location dominated by its Acropolis. While there, I lay on the beach and listened to Richard Armitage's superb interpretation of Dickens' classic novel - by virtue of the location and this wonderful epic, this has been a holiday to remember.

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