Which classic novel begins "Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life..."?

This was another question that I tapped the right answer instinctively, without conscious thought. But I have not read this book. Sometimes, there is something in the back of the mind that says "I know this answer, leave it to me". Anyone else experiences this?

MY SECOND FAVORITE AUTHOR, SHAKESPERE BEING THE FIRST. I DID A COLLEGE PAPER ON DICKENS.GOT AN A.HE WAS AN EXCELLENT AUTHOR. MY FAVORITE BOOK IS A TALE OF TWO CITIES.

Is that where David Copperfield the magician got his name?

“Barkus is willin’”