Alan Johnson on David Copperfield
Former home secretary Alan Johnson tells the story of how Charles Dickens's book David Copperfield affected the course of his life.
Former ±«Óãtv Secretary Alan Johnson describes how "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens mirrored his poor and troubled childhood in West London. After the death of his mother, the discovery of this great novel gave him the hope to build a happy and secure adult life. "I was thirteen years old and had read lots of books but nothing like this complex saga; so moving, so emotionally intertwined. I loved Peggoty, laughed at Micawber, loathed Uriah Heep. And I cried. Tears that never fell for my mother fell for Ham."
Producer: Smita Patel.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Broadcasts
- Mon 20 Jan 2014 22:45±«Óãtv Radio 3
- Mon 20 Oct 2014 22:45±«Óãtv Radio 3
Death in Trieste
A 1760s murder still informs ideas about aesthetics, a certain sort of sex, and death.
Watch: My Deaf World
Five compelling experiences of what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain.
The Book that Changed Me
Five figures from the arts and science introduce books that changed their lives and work.
Download The Essay
Download all the episodes from the series and listen at your leisure.
Podcast
-
![]()
The Essay
Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
