David Copperfield

David Copperfield is the story of a boy born into a world that seems determined to overlook him. From a happy early childhood with his mother and the loyal servant Peggotty, David is thrust into hardship by a cruel stepfather, sent to a brutal school, and put to work in a London warehouse. His flight to his eccentric great-aunt Betsey Trotwood sets him on a path toward adulthood, love, and a career as a writer. Along the way he meets some of the most memorable characters in English fiction: the ever-optimistic Mr. Micawber, the scheming Uriah Heep, the charming but careless Steerforth, and the wise Agnes Wickfield.

Dickens called this novel his favourite child, and it remains one of his most personal and enduring works. It is a rich, comic, and moving portrait of Victorian England, filled with vivid scenes and voices that stay with you long after the last page. Whether you are a first-time reader or returning to the book, this edition is designed to help you navigate its many characters and threads.

This edition contains the complete text of the novel, including the original prefaces. It also includes a new introduction for readers new to Dickens, a character guide, a summary of the story, a thematic overview, a glossary of period words and phrases, and a set of discussion questions for book clubs and students. Everything you need to enjoy David Copperfield is here.