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morethanmylupus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Death of parent, Abandonment, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Addiction, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Trafficking, and Violence
percys_panda_pillow_pet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The only other book I have read by Barbara Kingsolver was The Poisonwood Bible a couple of years ago, so I will make some comparisons based on that. Truly, the two books aren't that similar. Demon Copperhead is a reimagining of David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, just set in the modern day with a look at poverty and issues of our times, versus Dickens's own commentary of his time period. However, The Poisonwood Bible also touches on issues that persist today, just those that pertain to the colonization of the African continent, in particular, the colonization of what used to be known as the Congo. Kingsolver is a genius when it comes to showing you a world outside of your own, whether that is an African community or the Appalachian country folk. Her prose is also still something to be lauded, as she really transformed language to make that which occurred in Demon's life sometimes more tragic, and sometimes straight up hilarious in the face of tragedy.
I am comfortable recommending this book, though I am not sure how much those who have not read Kingsolver before will enjoy it. It can get quite depressing at times, and I highly recommend checking out content warnings for those who could be triggered by the heavy themes within the book. This is not a book for some light reading.
Still, I hope others check it out as I loved the look into Appalachian culture as someone who lives in Virginia, though Northern, and is aware of the rural parts of our state but never quite visited long enough to learn more than what was taught in school. And, as Kingsolver says in her acknowledgments, "For the kids who wake up hungry in those dark places every day, who've lost their families to poverty and pain pills, whose caseworkers keep losing their files, who feel invisible, or wish they were: this book is for you."
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, Grief, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Child abuse, Classism, Cursing, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Violence, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexism, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Torture, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Eating disorder, Racism, and Physical abuse
momalley215's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
onmalsshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug abuse, Classism, Homophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy