David Copperfield

To put it bluntly, but oh so happily, audiobooks don't come any better than this. BBC Radio's production of Dickens's classic is a sumptuous feast for the ears and soul. Overall, it is true to the author's words while adding a few modern touches, which accentuate its timelessness. This is a full-cast recording, not the work of a single narrator, so we get the pleasure of hearing actors inhabiting full characterizations. The cast performs marvelously with a full range of emotions and perfect diction. Some of the action is downright maudlin, but it's true to the period. And when Uriah Heep gets his . . . well, try to suppress the urge to cheer out loud. Bravo! R.I.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Reading DAVID COPPERFIELD is always a pleasure, but listening to a skilled reader present it is doubly so. As readers, we naturally form our own pictures of Dickens's characters and give them voices. Listening to Martin Jarvis read, however, adds the pleasure of studying a virtuoso actor re-create each of those characters with masterful acuity and consistency. The icy coldness of the Murdstones, the unctuous villainy of Uriah Heep, the declamatory babble of Micawber, and even the high-pitched assurance of Betsy Trotwood are all given definitive shape by Jarvis's masterful performance. Behind each of these voices is Jarvis's intuitive grasp of the character that shapes each. Helen Hayes once said that on stage the most important trait an actor must capture is the walk, but surely in audio literature it is the voice, and Jarvis brings Dickens's vast circus of voices to breathing life in the novel the author called his "favorite child." Though recorded originally in the early '90s, the quality of this reissued production must impress even by today's standards, as two masters, Dickens and Jarvis, are clearly here at their best. P.E.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2003 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

Like a visit with old friends, this production of David Copperfield assumes that the listener is familiar with the Dickens milieu. The emphasis is on Dickens's colorful characters, who appear one after another in performances consistently deft and sure. Even the grotesque are played with a restraint that retains their humanity. Music and sound effects are used well, but sparingly, never distracting from the voices. J.N. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Martin Jarvis's presentation of David Copperfield is magnificent. With his soothing British accent, Jarvis brings Dickens's immortal cast to life and creates voices that perfectly define each character and remain consistent throughout the long production. Particularly noteworthy among the stellar cast are the indomitable Mr. and Mrs. Micawber and the unctuous Uriah Heep. As the story recounts the life of Dickens's self-proclaimed "favorite child" from birth to maturity, the listener's attention remains constant. Jarvis's interpretation takes the fear out of approaching Dickens and will surely persuade the listener to try some of his other works. This audio masterpiece is highly recommended. R.B.F. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

[Editor's Note--The following is a combined review with BLEAK HOUSE, GHOST STORIES, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, HARD TIMES, MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, OLIVER TWIST, OUR MUTUAL FRIEND, THE PICKWICK PAPERS, and A TALE OF TWO CITIES.]--New Millennium presents the distinguished Academy Award winner Paul Scofield interpreting abridgments of the novels and stories of Charles Dickens. These are excellent readings, sonorous and compelling. However, they lack the verve and character of the old Victorian qualities that have been so wonderfully captured on cassette by Martin Jarvis and Miriam Margolyes, among others. And while few authors benefit more from pruning than the paid-by-the-word Dickens, some of these cuttings are far too drastic. In addition, hurried post-production is evident in numerous audible edits, frequent mouth noises, and occasional overlapping of announcer and narrator. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

At 34 hours length, this is quite a tome, but there's no one better qualified than Simon Vance to lead us through this audio journey. He parses the author's long sentences well, pausing sufficiently to make the details easy to follow while still maintaining a quick enough pace to keep the story going. Most enjoyable is his voicing of the myriad characters who appear in the narrative--and characters they certainly are. Vance times their occasionally hilarious exchanges especially well. All of this is delivered in a manner that suggests that Vance revels in Dickens's prose and sly humor, and the listener cannot help but revel along with him. Three cheers for Vance--and not the least for his stamina! A.E.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Charles Dickens's classic receives new life through Richard Armitage's adept narration. Dickens's novels, though epic, tend to be more heavy on character than on action, and Armitage skillfully draws listeners in. Young Copperfield's story takes him on an incredible journey that involves many trials and tribulations as well as dozens of memorable characters who help and hinder him. Armitage's ability to create so many unique characters-- including the villainous Mr. and Miss Murdstone, indomitable Betsy Trotwood, sweet little Emily, wicked Uriah Heep, and so many more--gives each one a life of his or her own. All in all, Richard Armitage creates an audio masterpiece. A.G.M. 2017 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

Narrator Derek Perkins keeps listeners enthralled throughout the 35-plus hours of DAVID COPPERFIELD's mysteries, emotional upheavals, and delightful resolutions while simultaneously conjuring visual images of Dickens's memorable characters. Perkins wonderfully delivers the long, convoluted monologues of the writhing, oily Uriah Heep (you'll want a shower after hearing his 'umble whining); the malapropisms of the verbose, utterly charming scoundrel, Macawber; the pathetic plea of Mrs. Gummidge, and the pure hatred Miss Dartle heaps upon the hapless Emily in this classic rags-to-riches story. In the author's preface to this edition, which also includes editorial revisions, Dickens allows that this book was his favorite "child"--the one that most closely parallels his own childhood. Perkins's performance makes listening a sure bet for maximum enjoyment. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

In this energetic full-cast audio adaptation of the loosely autobiographical 1849 Dickens classic, the novel's sharp wit and the hero's romantic adventurism are happily brought to the fore. As Ncuti Gatwa (star of "Doctor Who") leads an outstanding international cast, listeners follow young David Copperfield, a brokenhearted orphan, to boarding school and then to an apprenticeship as a budding law clerk. Performance highlights include Rhiannon Clements's portrayal of the sassy, scene-stealing first bride, Dora. Izuka Hoyle gives a gentle depiction of the ever-faithful Agnes. Theo James is the sweet-talking, manipulative James Steerforth. And Scotsman Jack Lowden pulls out all the stops as the unctuous Uriah Heep. Featuring film-style sound effects and a musical score--this audiobook is a fine way to spend time with one of the world's all-time master storytellers. B.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine