A PERFECT narration of an English classic!

I find Charles Dickens' novels difficult to read because of his sentence structure and length. Reading David Copperfield was especially difficult for me due to the length of the novel, but the story is so worthwhile that the effort is rewarded.

I listened to this Audible version one or two chapters a day over several weeks. Richard Armitage does an incredible job of narration especially with the character's voices. Listening to him is a joy. There are many excellent narrators of audio books, but the consistent quality of Armitage's work of over 36 hours of David Copperfield ranks this as the best narrated audio book I have ever listened to. It is a classic narration of an English classic novel.

This narration of David Copperfield by Richard Armitage has my HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION. Even if you have previously read the book and maybe especially if you have not read David Copperfield, you will enjoy this audio book.

59 people found this helpful

The Armitage Voice"

Where does David Copperfield rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

So far, this is the one I love the most....David Copperfield is one of my favorites anyway, but to have that voice, the voice of Richard Armitage "read it to me", just awesome

Have you listened to any of Richard Armitage’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, they way he reads, the tones, the inflections, the voice changes is just brilliant..

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

I almost did, but I needed to sleep...

Any additional comments?

Just keep them coming with Richard Armitage at the helm.......Thank you to Audible and to "The Armitage" for bringing David Copperfield to life.....

68 people found this helpful

Surprisingly Superior

I was hesitant at first when I got this book, I do enjoy classic literature but Dickens is not one I typically like. the book is like many of his others, simply dipicting the life of a individual. Yet the characters are lovable and realistic, the life lessons are multiple and Richard Armitage does a superb job of bringing the story to fruition

7 people found this helpful

Classic Story with Superb Performance.

What made the experience of listening to David Copperfield [Audible Studios] the most enjoyable?

Richard Armitage's voice was incredible. He brought this book to a new life. His beautiful inflections and characterizations were spot on.

Any additional comments?

You've either read David Copperfield and want to know if it is worth the listen, or you are new to this work. Be not hesitant, this is one of the best performances on Audible. And David Copperfield is just classic. Dicken's has a definite style to him. He's studied for a reason, and that reason is damned good writing. Spend the credit... you'll be cultured as well as entertained.

40 people found this helpful

Procrastination is the thief of time...

“I know enough of the world now to have almost lost the capacity of being much surprised by anything”
― Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

'David Copperfield' contains more saints per capita than any beatified book by Butler. Dickens is amazing in his ability to be both grand and personal. David Copperfield is sprawling, with dozens of threads that weave around David Copperfield's youth and adulthood. IT is amazing not only how he can transform a character through time, but also show that our perceptions of those same characters are drawn often from imperfect information and overly simple assumptions. Yes, there are parts of 'David Copperfield' that float between the melodramatic and the grotesque, but one doesn't read Dickens for the unmoving, normal or embellished. There are a handful of novels that I would consider to be the literary equivalent of scripture: 'Les Miserables', 'the Idiot', 'Anna Karenina', and for sure 'David Copperfield'.

There are several moments in 'David Copperfield' when, as a reader, you recognize you will never be half the writer Dickens was (on deadline). He might just be second to Shakespeare in my book, or at least be among a small cadre of writers that belong on the silver pedestal below the Bard.

This isn't as technically perfect as 'Great Expectations', but it is top tier Dickens for sure. A massive novel that floats with the weight of a beach read half its size. If you are going to read a Dickens, this might not be your first stop, but it shouldn't be far from your second.

18 people found this helpful

Absolutely spot-on perfect!!!!

I have read David Copperfield at least three times over the years, along with most of Dickens, and my love of Dickens led me to Wilkie Collins...what I'm trying to say is that I'm a huge enthusiast of the author as well as this story and allow me to assure you; THIS is an absolutely AMAZING narrator who brings each individual character to life, whether it's a middle aged aunt with a starchy Scottish brogue, a creepy villian, be he ever so 'umble, a sweet young lady, or a sensitive man recalling his childhood. This production is transporting.

13 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Where does David Copperfield rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

First.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Dick, friend to David's Aunt Betsey Trotwood, is my favourite character. I love how he sees people and situations clearly and easily cuts through the confusion of emotion, bigotry and ignorance. And I like how Miss Betsey accepts his word without question.

Have you listened to any of Richard Armitage’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to all of Richard Armitage's performances. This is, in my opinion, his best. (With Hamlet a close second.)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene when Mr. Barkis dies and Peggoty is left bereft, and later when Miss Emily runs away with Steerforth, are both powerful scenes. I also love how David's infatuation for Dora develops. David's remembrance of it is hilarious.

Any additional comments?

This is a gift from Literature Heaven: David Copperfield, read by Richard Armitage. Richard's various voices give a rich depth to the characters that you simply don't get when you read the book in print. It's a 36-hour bedtime story-telling extravaganza by, in my opinion, the best narrator of our time. I hope audible hires him again and again and again.

19 people found this helpful

Be Still My Heart

OK. I have never read this before, and listening to Richard Armitage's swoon-worthy voice narrate it to me upped the story factor. David Copperfield goes through life tragedy after life tragedy with some happiness thrown in between. The real award goes to how Dickens builds this man's life in front of us and ties it up so well in the end. I couldn't have asked for a more heart stopping or satisfying ending.

8 people found this helpful

WOW. A fantastic reading of a deserving classic.

A story that deserves high praise. Happy, sad, love, loss and the vivid villains. A reading that left me sitting in the car after I arrived.

I look forward to listening to this again.

I enjoyed this as much as the Ian McKellen reading of Homer.

8 people found this helpful

A thousand times, Bravo

Superlatives are inadequate to hail Richard Armitage's performance of this heart-rending & humorous, beautiful story.

19 people found this helpful