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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredible
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book. Where to start.
I finished it a week ago but I have been waiting to write a review. I wanted to make sure I had all of my thoughts put together.
First off, I always read other reviews for books I've read. I like to see others' insight. Perhaps they noticed a flaw I didn't notice. Perhaps they bring to light something I had not considered. The negative reviews of this book say a lot, but I do not believe they are an accurate representation of this novel.
First, this book tackles quite a few touchy subjects: the opioid epidemic, life in rural Appalachia, the US foster care system, race, addiction, and countless others. With that being said, this is not a happy feel good novel.
As someone who has first hand witnessed the opioid epidemic through an addict mother, I can say that there is too much truth in this book. I felt for Demon as he discussed having to take care of his addict mother, because I also did that. Similar to him, I also ended up in the foster care system. While I ended up in more positive situations than him, Barbara Kingsolver writes about the loneliness and "otherness" that accompanies being a foster kid so perfectly and painfully.
While I did not grow up in a rural area, I was very close to many who have. This was not in Appalachia, but many of the elements of this story were spot on to what my friends experienced. From teen marriage, teen addiction, to working on farms, there was so much truth in this. Is it beneficial to put all of these stereotypes in one novel set in Appalachia, a place where stereotypes already rule? I say yes.
This novel made me aware of my own prejudices and biases against those who are from the South/Appalachia. Several times over it made me say "Oh damn, I'm part of the problem." Many of the DNF reviews write about how they couldn't finish this book because of that that. However, once you get to the end you realize that everything you think you know is wrong.
This book is insightful, eye opening, and important. You root for Demon so hard, even when he drives you crazy with his actions and decisions.
Please read this book. It's a heavy read, but it is so good.
I finished it a week ago but I have been waiting to write a review. I wanted to make sure I had all of my thoughts put together.
First off, I always read other reviews for books I've read. I like to see others' insight. Perhaps they noticed a flaw I didn't notice. Perhaps they bring to light something I had not considered. The negative reviews of this book say a lot, but I do not believe they are an accurate representation of this novel.
First, this book tackles quite a few touchy subjects: the opioid epidemic, life in rural Appalachia, the US foster care system, race, addiction, and countless others. With that being said, this is not a happy feel good novel.
As someone who has first hand witnessed the opioid epidemic through an addict mother, I can say that there is too much truth in this book. I felt for Demon as he discussed having to take care of his addict mother, because I also did that. Similar to him, I also ended up in the foster care system. While I ended up in more positive situations than him, Barbara Kingsolver writes about the loneliness and "otherness" that accompanies being a foster kid so perfectly and painfully.
While I did not grow up in a rural area, I was very close to many who have. This was not in Appalachia, but many of the elements of this story were spot on to what my friends experienced. From teen marriage, teen addiction, to working on farms, there was so much truth in this. Is it beneficial to put all of these stereotypes in one novel set in Appalachia, a place where stereotypes already rule? I say yes.
This novel made me aware of my own prejudices and biases against those who are from the South/Appalachia. Several times over it made me say "Oh damn, I'm part of the problem." Many of the DNF reviews write about how they couldn't finish this book because of that that. However, once you get to the end you realize that everything you think you know is wrong.
This book is insightful, eye opening, and important. You root for Demon so hard, even when he drives you crazy with his actions and decisions.
Please read this book. It's a heavy read, but it is so good.
On the whole I enjoyed this book despite it being somewhat predictable. It went on for too long, and was quite ploddy, so lacked the momentum to keep you reading. Demon is an incredibly likeable character and he kept the story together, his childlike naivety on horrifying life experiences was heartbreaking and I’m glad he had a happy ending, but the trajectory of his story was as expected and lacked engagement.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes