Heather answers “why do so many think this book is about...”

Denise asked this question about Demon Copperhead:

why do so many think this book is about David Copperfield? I se it follows the narrative structure of David Copperfield, but not having read that book in years, I don't understand what that means. Can someone explain to me?

Heather pretty much every character (except Maggot) is a contemporary adaptation/translation of a character in David Copperfield. Some names are the same (Aun…morepretty 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. (less)

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Demon Copperhead

by Barbara Kingsolver

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