Alan Johnson on David Copperfield

from The Essay Hosted by BBC Radio 3

Former Home 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.

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Alan Johnson on David Copperfield

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How long is this episode of The Essay?

This episode is 14 minutes long.

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This episode was published on October 20, 2014.

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