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David Copperfield
I came to Dickens relatively late in life, but in a way, I think that's the best time. When you're a child, all you see is the plum-pudding characterization and twisting-and-turning storylines, and though that is part of the juicy pleasure of Dickens, you need to be an adult to get the heartbreaking measure of his genius. And nothing shows that more, for me, than David Copperfield. It's the fullest, most breathtakingly truthful story of life—not for nothing was it Freud's favorite novel.
— Nigella Lawson

See more books that made a difference to Nigella Lawson

Plus, one author thinks Dickens might make a difference to her....

"[I???ve been meaning to read] David Copperfield. I've read less Dickens than I'd like to admit, and I'm even more ashamed of my reason: The books are so long. They look impenetrable, like things you'd use to pave a road rather than actually read. And yet I know, from reading Little Dorrit, that they're unbelievably fun."
— Jennifer Egan

More authors 'fess up about classics they've never read

A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations are Oprah's 65th Book Club selections. Get complete reading guides and join the conversation here

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