Peggy Hardman’s answer to “How important is it, in terms of both understanding and appreciating Demon Copperhead, to have read…” > Likes and Comments
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Thanks Peggy. I'm curious: What didn't you like about David Copperfield?
HA! Despite my best friend being a Brit Lit prof, I just do not like Dickens; too much misery, gray, etc. I did like Oliver Twist for some reason, guess that is why the story of Demon resonated there for me. Just not a Dickens' fan, I suppose.
Both David C and Oliver Twist treat the topics of child poverty/neglect and other autobiographical aspects of Dickens' life. DC is described as semiautobiographical and was Dickens' personal favorite among his novels, while many literary critics consider OT a more mature, nuanced novel. I think that although Demon C is most closely modeled on David C, there are many elements of Oliver Twist that Kingsolver also touches on. (As a nonfan of Dickens, you might not care, but others might.) Others; Read Oliver Twist if you haven't yet. Don't count having seen the 1960's musical "Oliver" as the whole story - the novel is darker and MUCH richer. And I'm a huge fan of musicals and of Oliver! I just know how much better the novel is.
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Jeffrey
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Nov 10, 2022 05:29AM
Thanks Peggy. I'm curious: What didn't you like about David Copperfield?
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HA! Despite my best friend being a Brit Lit prof, I just do not like Dickens; too much misery, gray, etc. I did like Oliver Twist for some reason, guess that is why the story of Demon resonated there for me. Just not a Dickens' fan, I suppose.
Both David C and Oliver Twist treat the topics of child poverty/neglect and other autobiographical aspects of Dickens' life. DC is described as semiautobiographical and was Dickens' personal favorite among his novels, while many literary critics consider OT a more mature, nuanced novel. I think that although Demon C is most closely modeled on David C, there are many elements of Oliver Twist that Kingsolver also touches on. (As a nonfan of Dickens, you might not care, but others might.) Others; Read Oliver Twist if you haven't yet. Don't count having seen the 1960's musical "Oliver" as the whole story - the novel is darker and MUCH richer. And I'm a huge fan of musicals and of Oliver! I just know how much better the novel is.
