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David Copperfield

By: Charles Dickens, Sam Mendes, Marty Ross - adaptation
Narrated by: Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, Theo James, Richard Armitage, Jessie Buckley, Toby Jones, Jack Lowden
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Publisher's summary

In an Audible Original dramatization, executive produced by Academy Award-winning film director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917), come on a journey with David Copperfield as he finds his way in a challenging world. Starring Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education, Barbie) in the title role, and featuring an all-star cast including Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd), Theo James (The White Lotus), Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl), Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) and Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.)

Join David as he encounters his eccentric Aunt Betsey, faithful Peggotty and the villainous Uriah Heep, and as he falls in love with Little Em'ly, Dora and Agnes. And then there is old school friend James Steerforth: dashing, daring and seductive. This dramatisation explores the complexities and intimacies of that relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens' day, in an adaptation giving fresh life and vividness to this beloved tale.

The cast also stars Reece Kenwyne Mpudzi as young David Copperfield, Izuka Hoyle as Agnes, Ralph Ineson as Mr Creakle, Indira Varma as Jane Murdstone and Katy Wix as Mrs Micawber.

Featuring David Ahmad, Tom Alexander, Rhys Bailey, Dempsey Bovell, Rhiannon Clements, Zach Colton, Quentin DeBorne, Philip Desmeules, Siahra Edmondson, Ebony Feare, Chris Grahamson, David Holt, Martin Hutson, Gordon Kennedy, Simon Ludders, James MacCallum, Stefan McCusker, Kiki May, Fiz Marcus, Harry Myers, Jude Muir, Yasmin Mwanza, Maisie Preston, Dan Starkey, Catrin Stewart, Janet Abra Thompson, Inel Tomlinson, Sarah Whitehouse and Simon Yadoo.

Directed by Mariele Runacre Temple and Daniel Jewel, with an original soundtrack by Dan Gillespie Sells.

This production contains scenes of violence which some listeners may find distressing.

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

Public Domain (P)2023 Audible Ltd.
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About the Executive Producer

Sam Mendes founded and ran the Donmar Warehouse in London for ten years. He was the founding director of Neal Street Productions and The Bridge Project. His work has been seen at the National Theatre, RSC, Royal Court, Old Vic, Young Vic, BAM, the West End and on Broadway. His films include American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Revolutionary Road, Skyfall, Spectre, 1917 and most recently Empire of Light. Awards include an Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture and three further Academy Award nominations, five BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, three Tony Awards, five Olivier Awards, the Olivier Special Award, two Directors Guild of America Awards, the PGA award, the Jason Robards Award, and the Hamburg Shakespeare Prize. He has also won the Director’s Guild Award for lifetime achievement.
He is an Honorary Fellow of the National Film and Television School, and a Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge. He was made a CBE in 2000 and knighted in 2020 for services to drama.

Featuring

David Copperfield

Undergoing a transformative journey from adolescence to adulthood, David pursues a career in law. However, grappling between romanticism and realism, his biggest battle is working out what he truly wants from life.

James Steerforth

A classmate and friend of David's, Steerforth is a charismatic figure who views life as a game rather than a serious endeavour, leaving a lasting impact on David’s journey.

Aunt Betsey Trotwood

David's eccentric guardian, Aunt Betsey is a forceful and independent woman, embodying a unique blend of fierceness and femininity. Despite her blunt exterior, she cares deeply for David.

Clara Peggotty

A solid, unpretentious working-class woman, Peggotty is a housekeeper in the Copperfield household.

Mr Murdstone

Second husband to Clara Copperfield and step-father to David, Mr Murdstone is tyrannical in nature.

Miss Murdstone

Sister to Mr Murdstone, Miss Murdstone is heavily critical of David and is considered even more fearsome than her brother.

Mr Micawber

Mr Micawber faces life's challenges with boundless optimism, despite his financial struggles.

Uriah Heep

Initially a devoted servant to Mr Wickfield, Uriah conceals resentment and ambitious desires, striving to exploit who he can to get where he wants.

Agnes

Agnes grew up alongside David and is mature beyond her years. Her patience and commitment to David leads to a realisation of love.

Dora

Dora is the daughter of David’s employer, Mr Spenlow. She struggles with the challenges of lower-middle-class life after her father's death, but forms a deep connection with David.

Mr Creakle

The headmaster of David’s school, Salem House, Mr Creakle personifies everything about the harsh 19th-century education system.

Mrs Micawber

Wife to Mr Micawber's, she is faced with the challenges of a life filled with debt and domestic disturbances.

Get to know David Copperfield lead, Ncuti Gatwa.

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What listeners say about David Copperfield

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Better than I expected

The cast is perfection!!! The storyline was so much better than I expected. I was looking for background noise while I worked and was completely consumed by this story. Great job!!!

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Horses in the room!

The audio was amazing. So real it startled me a couple of times! The actors were fantastic and I loved the modern take on this classic story. Very well done overall.

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Pleasant surprise

What a lovely and engaging surprise this book was!! The acting really drew me in, I was able to really imagine the sights and places where each scene was described.
I would highly recommend this reading.

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The voice acting was excellent

They cut out some of the book, which was unfortunate; but overall it was still enjoyable.

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Excellent performance

Loved the performance and sound effects. Stayed up all night listening till I finally finished it.

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What a fantastic presentation

The characters brought life to this great tale. Kudos to the sound design and production team. This is among my favorite adaptations of a classic.

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Copperfield

Loved loved loved loved loved it very very very very very very much from start to finish!

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Not Living Up to the Expectations

Not a bad listen but the connection with the original characters of the story not very good. Some of the connections between the characters are over dramatized. It feels more relatable to ordinary human connections in the book. Definitely not a waste of time and listen though.

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Great voice actors

The acting was fantastic. The gay addition felt inserted, cheap, disingenuous and predatory. Cringey and out of place in this particular story. The young David was incredible! Overall liked the experience. Very talented production.

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1 person found this helpful

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A resounding alternative take on Dickens' David Copperfield

This audiobook has a great cast and plenty of action. The sound effects are high quality, but for me there was far too much thrashing, crashing and shouting for my poor ears! A standout is Toby Jones's Micawber: the writing and his performance are brilliant. The plot is truly crazy, and even includes a scene in the Alps! A few episodes were overlong when the outcome was obvious, and other parts were repetitive. Nonetheless the writer/adapter is creative and the work is most entertaining.

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