In a Journal review, Cather writes, in the context of comments on Brother John by Martha Morton: "The youthful lovers of David Copperfield and Arthur Pendennis, Esq., are only funny because they were so desperately serious.... It is the laughter and reckless gaiety that makes the first act of Camille so horribly pathetic, the seriousness of the poor inventor that makes [Edward E. Kidder's comedy] The Poor Relation so funny."
In an 1897 Home Monthly article, Cather writes: "Of Dickens' books I like that one [David Copperfield] best."