'David Copperfield'

Charles Dickens

Poor David suffers a truly Dickensian childhood. His father dies, and his mother remarries brutish Mr. Murdstone. David is sent off to boarding school with a ruthless headmaster. His mother dies and his stepfather consigns him to work at a grim London factory. David escapes and walks to Dover to find his eccentric aunt who christens him “Trot.” Published in 1850, this novel gave birth to an enduring array of characters: David’s faithful nurse Peggotty, eccentric Aunt Betsy Trotwood, evil headmaster Mr. Creakle, and of course the dissolute Mr. Micawber and the villainous Uriah Heep. Dickens’ writing is still held up as a standard for storytellers.