28.5k reviews for:

Demon Copperhead

Barbara Kingsolver

4.49 AVERAGE

mickeyhrvojevic's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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

marjaclea's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

haleykatherine's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

It’s certainly not a “fun” book to read, but I really appreciated the way it open my eyes to the experience of white poverty in Appalachia. The way Kingsolver writes Demon’s resiliency, in spite of all the happens to him, is somehow incredibly poignant without being over the top or show-y. I don’t know if I “loved” Demon, as a character, but I did feel sorry for everything life put him through and like I came to understand him better, in the end.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse

Moderate: Trafficking

ambiguousbeefnoodlesoup's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

observacious's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mwalter02's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense

kellymckinley's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring medium-paced

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark sad 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

---

I know Kingsolver is well-loved, but this is my first book by her. I have never read David Copperhead, so I can't speak to that. While I do see the strength in her writing, the story felt heavy. Not just in the topics, but the was it was presented. Maybe that adds to the atmosphere? Either way, I could not fully engage with the characters and the story. I'm not sure I would quickly pick up another book of hers.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Abandonment

Moderate: Bullying, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting

Minor: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content

hhabig310's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad 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

jom100's review against another edition

4.75

emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes