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Demon Copperhead,
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Heather
pretty much every character (except Maggot) is a contemporary adaptation/translation of a character in David Copperfield. Some names are the same (Aunt Betsey, Mr Dick, Tommy), most are similar enough that you can recognize them (Murdstone - Stoner Murdell, Steerforth - Fast Forward, Agnes - Angus, Dora - Dori, Rosa Dartell - Rose Dartell, etc). And they have the same personalities and roles in Demon's life as their models had in David's life.
The situations are modeled on the book... instead of a cruel school, Demon is sent to a cruel foster home; instead of child labor in a bottle factory, Demon picks garbage (equally filthy and unsafe), etc. etc. I thought it was a fantastic updating.
The situations are modeled on the book... instead of a cruel school, Demon is sent to a cruel foster home; instead of child labor in a bottle factory, Demon picks garbage (equally filthy and unsafe), etc. etc. I thought it was a fantastic updating.
Judith
I disagree with both previous answers, I don't see it as a re-telling or essentially the same story at all! The author gives David Copperfield a nod with the names, but events don't specifically correspond except in the most general ways. Many, like me, agree that it is its own story & way too much is being made of comparisons.
Elise Ann
It's a straight-up retelling that closely parallels the original. An excellent read.
IvanOpinion
It is essentially the same story, but updated to modern situations that mirror what happened in Copperfield. Almost every character is clearly based on a corresponding character in Copperfield and Kingsolver signals this by giving them names that are very similar.
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