Happy Birthday, Charlotte Brontë!

One of my favorite novelists in classic English literature is Charlotte Brontë, most commonly known for her work, Jane Eyre.  She was born on April 21, 1816, the third of six children.  Anne and Emily Brontë were her sisters that also published novels, and all three of them wrote under pen names.  Charlotte went on to publish four novels, but only Jane Eyre ever became popular.

“No sight so sad as that of a naughty child," he began, "especially a naughty little girl. Do you know where the wicked go after death?"

"They go to hell," was my ready and orthodox answer. 

"And what is hell? Can you tell me that?" 

"A pit full of fire."

"And should you like to fall into that pit, and to be burning there for ever?" 

"No, sir."

"What must you do to avoid it?" 

I deliberated a moment: my answer, when it did come was objectionable: "I must keep in good health and not die.” ~ Jane Eyre 

“Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilised by education: they grow there, firm as weeds among stones.”  

“But life is a battle: may we all be enabled to fight it well!”  

“We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence.”  

“The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.” 

“I'm just going to write because I cannot help it.”  

“Men judge us by the success of our efforts. God looks at the efforts themselves.” 

Dracula ~ A Book Review

Dracula

Book By Bram Stoker

Review by Janelle A. Spiers

“Never did tombs look so ghastly white. Never did cypress, or yew, or juniper so seem the embodiment of funeral gloom. Never did tree or grass wave or rustle so ominously. Never did bough creak so mysteriously, and never did the far-away howling of dogs send such a woeful presage through the night.”

~ Bram Stoker, Dracula

“There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.”
   ~ Bram Stoker, Dracula

WARNING:  Please be aware that if you continue reading this Book Review, you may be subject to reading spoilers and or secrets of the original book.  However, all attempts shall be made to hide the crucial points, in the event that this review encourages you to read this book.  Any information divulged will be deemed by the author of this review necessary to the review, or, not capable of ruining any major surprise. 

Bram Stoker wrote Dracula in 1897 and changed the fictional realm of horror forever.  Stoker’s haunting story of death, love, and fantasized monsters brings both inspiration and chills to the reader, thrusting them into a tale mixed to the brim with modern life and early European folklore.  Dracula has made such an impact in the literary world that Bram Stoker’s ideas have been used in many stories since that time.

Despite the grim circumstances and breath-taking drama, Dracula is a powerful story about good vs. evil.  The light of goodness, truth, and holiness are starkly and beautifully contrasted with the darkness of evil, lies, and horror.  Stoker wove a powerful, golden thread of redemption throughout his dark tapestry, so that no matter how dark the night or how desperate the character, there is always some hope left on which they can cling.  The idea of love being more powerful than fear is also present.  Each of the characters are challenged to decide how far they are willing to go for love for each other, and for life itself.

The unforgettable story begins with a man named Jonathan Harker travelling across the Carpathian Mountains to the castle of Count Dracula, where he will be helping with a legal affair.  After the frightening experience of trying to get to the secluded, mysterious castle, Jonathan finds himself the guest of an equally mysterious master.  As time passes, suspicion and fear begin to build, and Jonathan realizes that he is no longer a guest, but a prisoner; Dracula has locked him in the old castle.  A series of harrowing events plague Jonathan and he barely escapes with his life back to England where his fiancé awaits him.

But a long, arduous life has just begun for the heroes of this tale.  A shipwreck on the coast brings with it strange and deadly results and a young woman with sleepwalking issues suddenly begins to look more pale than usual.  With the help of two brilliant doctors and two other stout gentlemen, Harker and his newlywed wife, Mina, are faced with the fact that there is a mythical creature in their midst, and if they do not stop the threat, Dracula will destroy the world they know and love.

Jonathan Harker is a very steadfast, cool-headed man, but his encounter with Dracula and his eerie home leaves a great strain on him, especially when he thinks his life is at stake.  He spends the rest of the story with a burning passion to defeat the monster, but at the same time, he can lapse into a very weak and fearful state, typically more for his bride than himself.

Mina Harker is the faithful, “guiding star” for the men of this tale.  Her loyalty and compassion to her husband is equally, yet properly, shared with the other gentlemen who bond together to destroy Dracula.  When Mina is attacked by Dracula and her life takes a terrible turn, she longs to stay with those she loves, but she is willing to sacrifice herself in order to keep her friends safe.

Dr. Seward is a major piece of the puzzle and he is necessary to the destruction of Dracula.  He specializes in helping the insane and mentally disabled, and when one such man is found to be working for the Count, Seward manages to pry information from the man to help them in their conquest.

Perhaps the greatest protagonist is Abraham Van Helsing, a Dutch doctor and former teacher of Dr. Seward.  Van Helsing is the first one to discover what Dracula is and how he can be stopped, and despite the fact that no one believes him, he manages to prove Dracula’s true identity and the means to ending him.  Van Helsing is a quiet, thoughtful man with much faith and brain that ultimately result in the demise of Dracula.

Dracula himself is a creature of much discretion and sinister intent.  As a vampire, he is neither dead nor living, and is called “un-dead” as a result.  He preys on anyone and everyone but with so much secrecy that it is almost impossible to detect.  One of the most remarkable traits that Count Dracula possesses is that he is very patient and slow; with no fear of dying from old age, he has hundreds upon hundreds of years on his hands, and so every movement he makes is bold, but in no rush.

The writing style of Dracula is very unique.  Instead of constant narration, the entire book is split up into journal entries written by the main characters, gatherings of newspaper clippings, letters, telegrams, etc.  In addition, the ways the words are written or constructed vary, depending on which character is writing or recording.  However, on an overall note, the understandability of the story can be difficult, due to the older way of speaking and writing, also, based on the long, winding plot line and information that comes with it.

Abraham Stoker was born on November 8, 1847, in Dublin, Ireland, the third of seven children.  Stoker was bedridden for the first several years of his life from an unknown disease or illness, but by age seven, he was completely recovered and able to attend a private school; he never suffered from any major illness again.  In his early adulthood, Stoker married Florence Balcombe, who had been previously courted by his friend, Oscar Wilde.  The Stokers moved to London, where their only child was born, and Stoker became the theater manager for Henry Irving, a famous actor.  There he was introduced to notable people, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and on traveling to America, president Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, and Walt Whitman.  Dracula was written in 1897, but never attracted much popularity until after his death on April 20, 1912.

Though the story and its characters are fascinating and enjoyable, some of the content may be unsuitable for young or sensitive readers.  There are a few instances of swearing, but they are mild and not used flippantly.  There is some romance between two couples without the book, but nothing intimate is ever recorded or hinted.  Several of the female vampires that appear in the story are described as intensely lovely and they act rather seductively in hopes of luring in prey, but the characters shun such creatures.

            The intensity of the story can be overwhelming.  Several beloved characters die, and one, who died a as a vampire, must be mutilated after death to keep her from attacking innocent children, which she had been doing.  Blood is a central theme and gory idea that fuels the story along, so it may be unpleasant to read.  There is also a mentally insane man who eats flies, spiders, birds, and wants to eat cats, as well, and his death may be distressing.

            The progression of Dracula’s stunning plot line is neat, concise and has left very little room for argumentation, barring the fact that vampires are works of fictitious imagination. All the characters, from gentle and graceful Mina to the intelligent and thoughtful Van Helsing are almost like living creatures that grow and live within the tale.  Bram Stoker has painted a breathing portrait of a world about to be undone by the un-dead.

            Dracula was not the first story about vampires, but by it, a path was forged through the uncharted territory of fiction that still progresses today.  One of Bram Stoker’s characters once said, “I want you to believe...to believe in things that you cannot.” Stoker tried to create a piece of far-fetched fiction into a tale that would seem so real it could bite you, and that is exactly what he did.   Dracula is an amazing, thrilling, haunting tale about the search for light in the darkest places, love in the most hopeless times, and peace from the dreaded monster, Count Dracula.  

(Based on a rating system entirely made up of pros and cons, I judge by different categories to ensure that the reader of this review can aptly choose if this book is an appropriate for themselves or others.)

Theme ~ Positive! (For excellent topics that are inspiring and applicable to life.)

Plot Line ~ Positive! (For a gripping, unmatched storyline)

Characters ~ Positive! (Very memorable and extremely consistent)

Writing Quality ~ Negative! (For difficult, archaic writing style)

Mature Content ~ Negative! (Intense and graphic sequences, more suitable for an older audience.)

Congruency ~ Positive! (For extreme consistency in plot, characters, and quality)

The total score for Dracula by Bram Stoker is 4 out of a possible 6 positive points.

Happy Birthday, Victor Hugo!

Regrettably, I have not yet read Victor Hugo's novels, but I have seen a great many quotes by him that deserved to be shared, in honor of his birth date.  Which one is your favorite?  Is there another quote of his that you cherish and have memorized?  What are they and what do you think of his works?

Thank you, Mr. Hugo, for your inspiring words. I hope to add your novels (Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame) to my reading list soon.  Au Revoir!

Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”  

“What Is Love? I have met in the streets a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, the water passed through his shoes and the stars through his soul." 

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.”  

“Melancholy is the happiness of being sad.” 

“What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!”  

“It is from books that wise people derive consolation in the troubles of life.” 

“England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England.” 

“Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.”  

“Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.”  

“Love is the only future God offers.” 

Jane Eyre ~ A Book Review

Jane Eyre

Book By Charlotte Bronte

Review by Janelle A. Spiers

January 28, 2015

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you. You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” ~ Jane Eyre

“The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter - often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter - in the eye.” ~ Jane Eyre

WARNING:  Please be aware that if you continue reading this Book Review, you may be subject to reading spoilers and or secrets of the original book.  However, all attempts shall be made to hide the crucial points, in the event that this review encourages you to read this book.  Any information divulged will be deemed by the author of this review necessary to the review, or, not capable of ruining any major surprise. 

The timeless story of Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte Bronte, has left a lasting impact on the genre of romance.  With memorable and haunting characters, mixed full of real life struggles and emotions, Bronte has painted a darker side of love that is not often seen in classic romance.  Her poetic way of writing, her original plot, and her ageless characters have turned Bronte’s Jane Eyre into an unforgettable masterpiece.

Bronte created a deep romance, however, only two thirds of the book are about Jane Eyre’s love life, but in that chunk of the book, love is a very strong theme.  Jane, the namesake of the book, has her story recounted from the time she was a child, and her character is very perseverant through difficult trials, which is another theme that Bronte began, but did not quite finish it out to the end. 

The story begins with orphaned Jane living with her abusive aunt and cousins.  When she retaliates against the bullying she so frequently receives from her cousin, she is sent away to a boarding school.  Unfortunately, Lowood, the strict school run by a hypocritical character named Brocklehurst, is no less inviting to young Jane and she is underfed and treated poorly, but not singled out, as the other girls are likewise treated.

After about eight years at the school, Jane decides that instead of teaching at Lowood, she would rather be a governess, and so she advertises for a job.  Her proposition is readily accepted, and Jane travels to a huge house called Thornfield Hall where she is in charge of teaching a young French girl.  The master of the house, Mr. Edward Rochester, is mysterious and ugly, but nevertheless, Jane falls for him, and he likewise for her.  But a startling series of events causes Jane to flee from Thornfield and live with a family who take her in penniless and hungry.  However, after several years of absence, Jane decides to return to Rochester and promptly marries him, never having lost her passion for her master.

Jane Eyre is a plain, small woman with much courage and strength.  Although she was raised to be meek and quiet, Jane has a feisty spirit that can plainly be seen when she is ridiculed or uncomfortable.  Her self-confidence and ability to think quickly helped and spared several lives within the story.

Mr. Edward Rochester is a strong gentleman, but he has very understandable human qualities.  Though he is very coarse and, at times, rude, Mr. Rochester also has a pitiable need for love and understanding.  He is described as unattractive and is believed by all to be rather ugly, but Jane learns to see past his homely face and love his features.  Rochester is the caretaker of Jane’s pupil, Adele, after her mother abandoned the young infant.  He shows no affection to the girl, but it is clear that his heart has enough gentleness to think of the child and bring her gifts.  However, underneath all of these thick, impenetrable layers of Edward Rochester, there lies a dark, haunting secret that stands between him and his beloved Jane.

In short passages of time, Charlotte Bronte was able to give vivid descriptions of her supporting characters, bringing them into the light of Jane’s retrospect and shining on them clearly.  However, none of the characters are exceptionally necessary for the progression of the story, except to give Jane reason for being in a certain location.

The writing quality of Jane Eyre is very high, and what Bronte once wrote as a modern English has now become archaic, very wordy, and has a slight poetic beauty in its words.  However, due to her excessive word count, the novel can be difficult to read, especially for people not used to such weighted reading.

Charlotte Bronte was born on the 21^st of April, in 1816.  She was the third of six children, and only one of three to survive to adulthood.  At an early age she was sent to a boarding school that she later used as basis for Lowood School in Jane Eyre; the conditions were unhealthy and it hastened the death of two of her sisters. Another scene in Charlotte Bronte’s life, that is more than likely to have made its way into Jane Eyre, was her own work as a governess and the unruly John she taught, who threw a Bible at Charlotte.  This is similar to Jane’s abusive cousin who threw a book at the main character.

Charlotte Bronte published other novels, four in total, but Jane Eyre remains her most famous, and she is hardly recognized for her additional works. Jane Eyre was published on October 16, 1847 under the pen name of Currer Bell.  The Bronte sisters wrote under male aliases so as to attract more publishing attention.

There is a definite Christian theology spread lightly across the pages of Jane Eyre.  Jane is a very devout, moral girl who often prays to God before bed, and in the boarding school, her dear friend speaks much of the Bible, obeying God, and going to heaven.  There is mention of Hell as a place for sinners, and Mr. Brocklehurst, the owner of Lowood School, believes that girls should be plain, have no adornments including curls, because of passages in the Bible that ask for women to be modest.  However, it is revealed that Brocklehurst’s family does not follow to his own teaching.

There isn’t much swearing in Jane Eyre, but Mr. Rochester is known to use occasional profanity and also swear under his breath.  God’s name is used several times in exclamation, but it is hard to tell if it is more prayer-like or used in vain.  Overall, the language is rather clean and unquestionable.

It may be surprising that the love life and romantic appeal between characters is very clean.  (Spoiler) However, Mr. Rochester does attempt to marry Jane, even though he is married to another woman, a fact unknown to Jane.  His bigamous plans are discovered before they are carried into action, but a big deal is made about how despicable that is.  Jane and Edward kiss passionately once or twice, but no other actions are made to display their love.  One of the most interesting parts of their romance is that there is no apparent reason for Jane to have loved Mr. Rochester, and so her faithful commitment is odd at times.

Alcohol is mentioned a few times, but sparingly, and the main characters are never drunk.  A sub-character does drink frequently, and sometimes has had too much, falling asleep and ultimately neglecting her duties.  However, for the sake of the plot, this drinking is necessary and not made graphic or overly accentuated. 

Jane Eyre does have a dark and slightly disturbing tone, consisting of a mentally unstable woman.  On multiple occasions the woman lights beds on fire inside Thornfield Hall, nearly killing Mr. Rochester.  At another time, she stabs her own brother in the arm.  She eventually commits suicide by jumping from the roof of a building that she also lit on fire. 

There are several deaths throughout the book, three of them caused by illness, and two possible suicides.  The death scenes of each are not graphic, and not entirely horrifying, however, typhoid and consumption does take the life of a young teenaged girl, which can be very sad for sensitive readers.

Charlotte Bronte was incredibly diligent in keeping her characters consistent.  From Jane’s young schooldays to her later married life, her development is obvious but her character is the same all the way through the book.  As with her plot line, even though it is very slow and drawn out, it is steady and progressive, ushering Jane from one key point in life to the next.

Dark and mysterious, sweet and romantic, Charlotte Bronte has left the world with a book that stands out against the background of other classic romances.  Perhaps more suitable for older readers, Jane Eyre still tells an age-old story of love, endurance, and faithfulness, which we can all hold to today. 

(Based on a rating system entirely made up of pros and cons, I judge by different categories to ensure that the reader of this review can aptly choose if this book is an appropriate for themselves or others.)

Theme ~ Positive! (Strong and powerful, also high moral.)

Plot Line ~ Positive! (Extremely memorable and original.)

Characters ~ Positive! (For life-like and classic characteristics.)

Writing Quality ~ Negative! (Difficult and wordy, hard to comprehend.)

Mature Content ~ Negative! (Some topics may be unsuitable for a young or sensitive audience.)

Congruency ~ Positive! (For good/consistent character development.)

The total score for Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is 3 out of a possible 6 positive points.

The Scent of Trees

Trees have a special interest in my heart, and I have always loved to walk among them, standing in their leafy shade. They have such unique and personal traits that no two trees can ever be the same. But what is the scent of trees?

A tree is like a person, with leafy hair cascading down their backs. The proud stand straight and tall like gentlemen, but the meek ladies bend gently in the wind, and those who are worn with age become gnarled and crooked. I wonder what their faces would be like, if you could see through their stylish bark.  Would she have pretty eyes as they look out upon the world, or would his eyes be closed, trying to blot out the memory of the present and look only back into the past?

Have you ever listened to a tree?  They are so merry and joyful when they rustle in the breeze.  With gentle murmurs and whispers they call to each other in a language all their own. But at times they shriek with anger, bowing and leaning, sparring with their neighbors.

A tree can be so textured that each has its own feel.  The elevated Aspen are powdered to hide their spots; the vain trees must cover all their blemishes, but are easily revealed.  The Pine Tree and its numbers spread vast across the land, but I wonder if they are woefully sad. Their sap runs down their rough bark, and maybe they are crying for a lost memory, or perhaps they're tears of joy.

What does a tree taste like?  The leaves are crisp and moist, probably with a sharp, tangy flavor that fill the entire senses with that overwhelming flood. Do they taste like the dirt in which they live?  And what of the bark?  Maybe it is crunchy, brittle, and terribly hard, or perhaps it is sweet, tender, and fleshy. But who would ever eat a tree?

With all the characteristics of these gentle giants, what more is there to say?  They live patiently in the suburbs waiting for a still, quiet peace to reign in the streets.  Others dance in the mountains, enjoying the freedom of fresh, undisturbed air.  Some, are tiny, baby saplings, sinking their roots into the dry soil, groping for water, groping for life.

But what indeed, is the scent of a tree?  Of course, a tree has its own perfume, much like her dress and touch, but what can a tree truly smell like?  I suppose it must be the smell of wisdom, age old creatures living upright in the world.  They gain knowledge, day after day, some are as old as the hills.  Think of an old book; surely, the wisdom of that recycled tree has passed on into legend and history, shedding the scent of understanding. Perhaps, that is the scent of a tree; the smell of wisdom.

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.  

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest  
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; 

A tree that looks at God all day,  

And lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

A tree that may in summer wear  

A nest of robins in her hair; 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain.  

Poems are made by fools like me,  

But only God can make a tree."

~ Joyce Kilmer

David Copperfield ~ A Book Review

David Copperfield

Book By Charles Dickens

Review by Janelle A. Spiers

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show." ~ David Copperfield, Chapter I

"Never," said my aunt, "be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you." ~ David Copperfield, Chapter XV

WARNING:  Please be aware that if you continue reading this Book Review, you may be subject to reading spoilers and or secrets of the original book.  However, all attempts shall be made to hide the crucial points, in the event that this review encourages you to read this book.  Any information divulged will be deemed by the author of this review necessary to the review, or, not capable of ruining any major surprise. 

            David Copperfield written by Charles Dickens is a first-person narrative about the life and story of the fictitious, David Copperfield.  Dickens created many stories about circumstances that he might have experienced in his life, but it is said that David Copperfield is the most autobiographical of all his novels.  Dickens was an author of great genius and expertise, and his mastery is shown clearly within this book.

            One of the central themes in Dickens’ work is the theme of being strengthened through hardship.  Trial and toil are huge factors in the outcome of every character’s struggle, and they learn to rise up and meet the waves of trouble and adversity and keep their heads above the water.  Dickens did an excellent job of proving to his readers that even the lowest, most afflicted character should never give up, never stop fighting, and always rise higher.

            David Copperfield is the narrator of his own life and as we read, we see that he is looking back upon his entire existence and telling us of his adventures, triumphs, and sorrows.  The opening chapter begins with David telling the story that he heard from others about the night he was born.  His story then continues from that point onward: to his early childhood memories, his nightmarish experiences at boarding school, the trials of home life, and becoming independent.  David meets the oddest of people and the kindest of friends along the way through his early manhood on into full bloom adulthood where he marries and tries to make a name for himself.  By the time the story comes to a close, David is content and happy with his life, with a wife and children at his side, and a touching conclusion to his life story.

            Perhaps what Charles Dickens is most famous for in his writing are his innumerable characters and their extremely unique and fascinating personalities.  David Copperfield, the namesake and main character of Dickens’ novel is a lovable character that shows so much strength and determination.  David is a child in the beginning of the book and the strict way he is raised and treated pushes him to choose a life of discipline or freedom.  In his early adulthood, David is very carefree and chooses friends and surroundings that aren’t healthy for a young man.  Fortunately, when he falls in love, though still very silly, David works hard to find a job, earn a living, and start to provide for his future bride.  He has the fault of human selfishness and his love of gentlemanly ease and comfort get him into trouble on more than one occasion as well.

            The main antagonist of David Copperfield is a very “umble” man named Uriah Heep.  The lanky fellow haunts David’s early years and poses as a formidable foil in his later years when Heep usurps his aunt’s inheritance.  Uriah Heep is vividly described in colorful terms by David and he has a terrible habit of writhing in happiness.  It is certain that Uriah Heep has a face only his “umble” mother could love, and indeed, it appears that Mrs. Heep is the only one who appreciates her thrashing son.

            Dora Spenlow is the beautiful girl of David’s wildest dreams.  When he begins to work for her father he suddenly becomes tangled up in fancy and admiration for Dora.  In David’s love-struck eyes, she is a gorgeous angel, of whom nothing ill should ever be said.  In truth, however, she is a spoiled daughter who knows nothing of cooking, cleaning, or managing accounts, which David finds to be terribly inconvenient when he can look back upon the subject.  Dora is a silly girl who spends most of her time crying when David speaks to her, or caressing her little dog, Jip. 

            One of the most constant and faithful supporting characters in David Copperfield is David’s nurse, Clara Peggotty. She is a loyal old soul who tended to David’s mother and tends to David’s own children in the end of his story.  She has a good natured, motherly heart toward David, and she always cares for him with great devotion.

            During David’s years at school he becomes acquainted with an older boy named James Steerforth.  With eight-year-old devotion towards the teenager, David admires the boy all through out his life, even late into his teens.  Steerforth is the spoiled son of a rich mother and he always got his way with whatever he wanted.  The kindness he showed to David was benefiting himself and in his later years, he breaks David’s long-founded trust and faith.  Steerforth has a very free and easy nature and tends to be a bad influence upon David because of David’s whole-hearted respect. 

The writing quality of David Copperfield is very typical of Dickens writing.  He was paid by the word when he wrote and it seems as though Dickens made every use of that method of payment.  His stories are extremely wordy and some of his sentences are over eighty words long.  However, though Dickens used so many words, which seem unnecessary at times, he has a lovely way of writing description of plot, character, and settings.  Due to his uneducated characters way of speaking in the English eighteenth-century, some of his characters may be hard to understand. 
            Dickens never won any awards for his writing of David Copperfield, however, he did publish it periodically in a newspaper from May 1849 to November 1850.  When it was finally published as a book in 1850, the original title was quite lengthy, running: The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (which he never meant to publish on any account). It is interesting to see that title no longer is any way connected to the David Copperfield we know now.

Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in 1812 on February 7, in Hampshire, England, born as the second of eight children.  He was sent to work at a very young age and he was bitterly angry with his father for sending him away.  He began his writing career in 1833 when he submitted a short story, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, to the London Newspaper, “Monthly Magazine”.   From there, his career expanded and developed into such a famous author that he traveled to America to read from his stories to the public.  He died on June 9, 1870 at age 58 leaving a huge legacy of writing behind him.

David Copperfield is not a Christian novel, although there are mentions to God, angels, and a few other spiritual elements that can be found in religious works.  Religion does not guide David in his life but he does strive for goodness and success through kindness and faithfulness.  The worldview of David Copperfield is probably neutral, seeing as how religion does not clearly define the characters as who they are.

There is also little to no offensive language in the book, which makes the vocabulary of the book relatively clean and appropriate.  However, there are hints and suggestions of an affair between a young wife and her handsome cousin.  At the end of the story, she is found to have ignored her cousin’s seducing and she remains faithful.  There is an elopement, as well, between two significant characters and it greatly affects the plot line of the story.  Because these sorts of actions and behaviors were very taboo during Dickens’ time, they are hardly discussed in full light, but the consequences of other characters actions do weigh heavily on David and he feels the losses keenly.  There is also mild drunkenness, and in one scene, it is a group of David’s friends and he that stagger through the streets of London and burst into a theatre in inebriated stupor.  It is very clear in the morning, though, that David regrets his actions and he makes amends with those he shocked with his wild manner.

There is little violence in David Copperfield.  His stepfather canes him and in rage, David bites his stepfather’s hand, which induces the man to beat him to unconsciousness.  The school where David attends is infamous for its heavy hand and ready cane, and in another short scene in David’s recollections, he is robbed and nearly mugged by an angry man, but his wife stops him.  There is the death of a mother and child and several significant characters closely attached to David.  While not graphic, two are killed, and the loss is felt deeply by David.

The whole plot line of David Copperfield is excellently thought out.  It is credited to Charles Dickens that he was able to write periodic newspaper installments, yet have a finished and thorough novel by the end.  It is very apparent with this novel that he did just that.  His characters are well developed, too, with Dickensian flare all the way. 

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens is a good read filled with memorable characters that will haunt your literary reading for a long time.  Dickens created a story based upon his life and it is wonderfully written and played out with expertise.  Bravo, Mr. Dickens, and thank you!  David Copperfield is a masterpiece that we are lucky and thankful to have.

(Based on a rating system entirely made up of pros and cons, I judge by different categories to ensure that the reader of this review can aptly choose if this book is an appropriate for themselves or others.)

Theme ~ Positive! (For a strong central theme that progressed the story.)

Plot Line ~ Positive! (Well thought-through and beautifully executed)

Characters ~ Positive! (For “human” characteristics and memorable development)

Writing Quality ~ Negative! (Due to length and wordiness, this may be only suited for a higher level reader.)

Mature Content ~ Negative! (Cases of mature content may not be suitable for young readers)

Congruency ~ Positive! (For extreme consistency in plot, characters, and quality)

The total score for David Copperfield by Charles Dickens is 4 out of a possible 6 positive points.