The Great Books Society of Denver

In keeping with tradition, December's meeting will be our annual holiday potluck, at which we (1) enjoy a festive meal together, and (2) discuss the first half of a Classic of Unusual Size. (At the January meeting, we then discuss the book in its entirety, with emphasis on the second half.)

This year's C.O.U.S. is Charles Dickens' novel "David Copperfield," published in serialized form from 1849-1850 and then as a book in 1850. The novel traces the life of the eponymous hero (I can never resist using that word) all the way from infancy (Chapter 1 is entitled "I Am Born") to adulthood. The story is based partly on Dickens' own life; he called it "a very complicated weaving of truth and invention." He also identified it at his favorite among his own books.

We recommend reading through approximately Chapter 31 for the December meeting. That will put you slightly past the halfway point.

BONUS TRIVIA QUESTIONS (respond in the comments):

1. Name the 20th-century novel that begins, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth."
2. Why did American illusionist David Seth Kotkin decide to adopt "David Copperfield" as his stage name?