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Demon Copperhead

Barbara Kingsolver

Start date: September 13, 2023

Finish date: September 20, 2023

Discussion: September 2023: Literary Fiction

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September 2023: Literary Fiction

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last updated Sep 01, 2023 08:28AM

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What Members Thought

Dec 17, 2022 Peacejanz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: completed

This is not Charles Dickens. Neither is it typical Kingsolver. This is a long winded story about poverty, living in the mountains in the Southern US and the stereotypical people who live there. It is also about unemployment, drug addiction, and long-lasting love of family. It is also about guilt. I know about poverty, guilt and long-lasting love of family. I have often read about drug addiction. Kingsolver puts all of this together in a painful story of people (expecially children) who never hav ...more

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Mar 12, 2024 Linda C rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, cultural

I have mixed feelings about this book. The idea of retelling David Copperfield was intriguing and although I never read that book I did read a synopsis before starting this. I liked the beginning of this and Demon's snarky internal asides to many of his situations. However, I felt that much of the action was stereotypical of any story of addiction, this just built around the opioid crisis.

I remember reading an interview about the way the Appalachian people are depicted in society and how she wa I have mixed feelings about this book. The idea of retelling David Copperfield was intriguing and although I never read that book I did read a synopsis before starting this. I liked the beginning of this and Demon's snarky internal asides to many of his situations. However, I felt that much of the action was stereotypical of any story of addiction, this just built around the opioid crisis.

I remember reading an interview about the way the Appalachian people are depicted in society and how she wanted to give a broader picture of the people and the country. I did not see that. All the people Demon interacted with were caricatures: addicted Mom, abusive step-father, 2 different but lousy foster families, several people who mouthed sincerity but did not follow through and a set up to get him exposed to the opioids (although Demon was on his way even without them). His lack of self-esteem had him turning from the few who could make a difference. The story was sad and hard to read at times, but not what I expected from her comments. Only a few times did Demon drive through the countryside rhapsodizing on the land. Several characters said they couldn't stay away from the hills and hated the city but only stated negatives about the city not what drew them back to the land. There needed to be someone in here that brought that alive.

On the positive side there were characters like Tommy, Angus, and Mr. Dick that were unique and developed well. They had a solid core that kept them true to themselves despite what happened around them. I particularly would have liked to have had Demon's father more of an on screen character. He could have been a role model for Demon to judge others against as he faced his problems. I don't understand why he had to be such a mystery until the end.

I'm glad I read this book despite its limitations because I always learn things from her books. In this case it was the Melungeon people. I had to step outside the book and look up info on that before continuing. I like when that happens. ...more

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Feb 01, 2023 Judi Ross rated it it was amazing

WOW. I never read David Copperfield so I was not familiar with that story. It was not necessary in order to appreciate this modern day story that parallels Dickens’ novel. (Although I have added it to my TBR stack.) Kingsolver tells us the story, through the first person narration, of a young boy who’s life has been affected by adults, institutions and policies that have negative influences. It is the story of his resilience and desire to rise above all these obstacles. The way Kingsolver writes ...more

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May 15, 2024 Robin rated it it was ok · review of another edition

this book kind of reminded me of catcher in the rye because it was mainly about a boy growing up/ coming of age type of story in the rural south. the main character struggled with almost every aspect of life and ended up in the foster care system and also struggled with drug addictions. he didnt ask to be born or given the life he was dealt so you can't help but feel sorry for him. despite that, he is still likeable. this book was very depressing at times and definitely a lot longer than necessa ...more

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Apr 08, 2023 Ferris Mx rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

Full of heart about the land-rich money-poor economy of Appalachia and how destructive the opioid epidemic has been. No more fictional than Vance but much more relatable, accepting, open, and less judgmental.

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