Many view this novel as Dickens's masterpiece, beginning with his friend and first biographer John Forster, who writes: "Dickens never stood so high in reputation as at the completion of Copperfield", and the author himself calls it "his favourite child".Conclusion of the preface of 1867: "Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield." It is true, he says, that "underneath the fiction lay something of the author's life", that is, an experience of self-writing. It is therefore not surprising that the book is often placed in the category of autobiographical works. From a strictly literary point of view, however, it goes beyond this framework in the richness of its themes and the originality of its writing.
mANY vIew thiS noVEl as dICKeNs's masTeRPiece, begiNniNg WIth His friend and fIrSt biogRapHeR jOHN ForsTeR, WHo WritEs: "DiCKenS never sToOd so hIgh in RepuTAtiOn aS at The comPletioN Of CoppErFiELd", ANd The aUtHoR HimseLf caLls it "his FavOuriTe child".coNcluSioN Of the PrefacE OF 1867: "likE maNy fonD pareNts, I haVE In mY hearT of heaRTs a FavouRItE child. aNd HiS NaMe is dAVid copperfIeld." it IS TruE, he says, thaT "unDerneaTh tHe fiction laY someThinG oF the auThoR'S LIfe", THAt IS, an expErIeNCE oF self-WritIng. it is theReFOrE nOt sUrPRIsING tHAT The bOok iS oFteN placED in The cateGory of aUtobiOGraPHiCal woRks. From a Strictly liTErary Point OF view, HOwever, it GOes beYond this framewORk iN THe RichnEsS oF its themes And the OrigiNaLItY Of Its wriTiNg.