<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> Dombey and Son (1848) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> Bleak House (1852--3) </Td> </Tr> <P> David Copperfield is the eighth novel by Charles Dickens . The novel's full title is 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 was first published as a serial in 1849--50, and as a book in 1850 . Many elements of the novel follow events in Dickens's own life, and it is often considered his veiled autobiography . It was Dickens' favourite among his own novels . In the preface to the 1867 edition, Dickens wrote, "like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child . And his name is David Copperfield ." The novel describes the journey of the protagonist David Copperfield; modeled after Dickens himself, from impoverished and miserable childhood to becoming a successful and famous author . Like some of his other novels, it contains disturbing descriptions of child abuse . </P> <P> The story follows the life of David Copperfield from childhood to maturity . David was born in Blunderstone, Suffolk, England, six months after the death of his father . David spends his early years in relative happiness with his loving, childish mother and their kindly housekeeper, Peggotty . When he is seven years old his mother marries Edward Murdstone . During the marriage, partly to get him out of the way and partly because he strongly objects to the whole proceeding, David is sent to lodge with Peggotty's family in Yarmouth . Her brother, fisherman Mr. Peggotty, lives in a house built in an upturned boat on the beach, with his adopted relatives Emily and Ham, and an elderly widow, Mrs. Gummidge . "Little Em'ly" is somewhat spoilt by her fond foster father, and David is in love with her . On his return, David is given good reason to dislike his stepfather and has similar feelings for Murdstone's sister Jane, who moves into the house soon afterwards . Between them they tyrannise his poor mother, making her and David's lives miserable, and when, in consequence, David falls behind in his studies, Murdstone attempts to thrash him--partly to further pain his mother . David bites him and soon afterwards is sent away to a boarding school, Salem House, under a ruthless headmaster, Mr. Creakle . There he befriends an older boy, James Steerforth, and Tommy Traddles . He develops an impassioned admiration for Steerforth, perceiving him as something noble, who could do great things if he would . </P>

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