Questions About Demon Copperhead

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Answered Questions (27)

How important is it, in terms of both understanding and appreciating Demon Copperhead, to have read David Cooperfield?

Barbara It isn't necessary to read David Copperfield to understand / appreciate Demon Copperhead. However, for me, it has added another layer of enjoyment and…moreIt isn't necessary to read David Copperfield to understand / appreciate Demon Copperhead. However, for me, it has added another layer of enjoyment and interest, as I try to match the situations / characters in each text. I am a Dickens fan and loved David Copperfield, so I am enjoying the DC references (I am still reading Demon Copperhead). What I am also finding interesting is that the author has included some of the same literary techniques Dickens used in DC e.g., foreshadowing. (less)

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Do you think the book was enhanced by modelling it so faithfully on David Copperfield? Almost every plot development and character pretty rigidly follow Copperfield. By keeping the characters's names so similar, Kingsolver clearly wanted readers to be aware of the constant parallels. I think this literally spoiled the book, as I knew what was going to happen, again and again.

Kurt Fox Interesting question, but I disagree. You have never watched a movie after having read the book, or never read the book after watching the movie? Or n…moreInteresting question, but I disagree. You have never watched a movie after having read the book, or never read the book after watching the movie? Or never watched a remake of any movie? Or never read a retelling of a story? All plots and storylines and characters have been done before; it is just the resequencing that may make them appear new Frankly, after you have read about 100 YA fantasy books, they all appear to muddy out to be the same. Part of the experience of a retelling is to see where they are similar and where they are different. Part of it is to the art and skill of the original versus the other. "Dinner took forever because it was all on Miss Betsy and she was slowing down. The legs looking more than ever like a bag of walnuts." To me, Dickens could never have written that... Kingsolver knocked off 400 pages and got rid of the long-windedness of the Victorian serial - a MAJOR plus in my mind. She also updated the issues, Americanized them, localized the language to redneckian, and adding humor (so lacking in dry old Dickens) all in keeping faithfully to his characters and plotline. I have never read a retelling that does all this so well. I would venture that it is VERY VERY hard to do. I think I rated the original a 3 star read, but this is a 5 star book, and, out of over 100 adult novels this year, probably the best fiction I read in 2022 and all that DESPITE knowing what was going to happen.(less)

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Anyone else struggling with how the bulk of the story is in past tense, but then for no apparent reason it switches to present tense for a bit? Is there a point to this or is it sloppy editing? It's driving me batty.

Charlie

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IvanOpinion I agree that Maggot seems wholly original. I'm not entirely sure why Kingsolver adds him as a character, given that she sticks so closely to the Dicke…moreI agree that Maggot seems wholly original. I'm not entirely sure why Kingsolver adds him as a character, given that she sticks so closely to the Dickens plot and characters otherwise. Adding him raises some interesting themes and issues, but not ones that seem like they needed to be tacked on to this particular story.

I did kind of wonder if he would play a bigger role in the plot in a way that modernised the story in quite a radical way. I won't spell out my theory in case it turns out to be a spoiler, but I'm 90% of the way through the book and so far it looks like Kingsolver is sticking very closely to the original plot, so Maggot seems unnecessary.(less)

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So far it's about women and children being abused and tortured which I do not enjoy. Is there a good reason to keep reading?

Joy It depends on what kinds of texts you like to read. This novel is a very literary one, and, like “David Copperfield,” a book that investigates a pleth…moreIt depends on what kinds of texts you like to read. This novel is a very literary one, and, like “David Copperfield,” a book that investigates a plethora of social themes. It’s also a coming of age story and an investigation of what it means to be human. I will read it again just to luxuriate in her beautiful writing, but that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. So there are many reasons to keep reading, but you have to like the reasons.(less)

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