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4.49 AVERAGE
4.49 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-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
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
Truly and foolishly, I didn’t think I would cry at the end of this book, but here I am. There was a part in the middle that felt so hopeless, I didn’t even want to pick up the book. But, that’s the thing about Kingsolver’s storytelling— it keeps you coming back, no matter how bleak, and whether you want to or not.
Especially strong was this theme at the end of the book, when Demon is living in Knoxville in recovery. He says he cannot fill the gaps of not being known, the silence where there should be cicadas, the harsh sun and concrete where there should be shade and cool grass. That struck home for me, living in Chicago and being on the precipice of leaving.
I don’t think I would have loved this book as much were the ending different. Had Demon not gotten sober, found light, and had people to support him, I think I would have had a different outlook on the story. Of course, Kingsolver chooses to end it with him not at the ocean, but on the way there. A great metaphor for a sobriety journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Spoiler
The idea of land economy versus money economy stuck out to me. “Country bumpkins” are looked down upon, but looking into their history, how could they not feel the way they do? I feel challenged by this read to look into the history. Why are we forced into a money economy? Why do we ridicule the people we ridicule? And how did we lose the reciprocity humanity was made for— giving back to the earth and each other?Especially strong was this theme at the end of the book, when Demon is living in Knoxville in recovery. He says he cannot fill the gaps of not being known, the silence where there should be cicadas, the harsh sun and concrete where there should be shade and cool grass. That struck home for me, living in Chicago and being on the precipice of leaving.
I don’t think I would have loved this book as much were the ending different. Had Demon not gotten sober, found light, and had people to support him, I think I would have had a different outlook on the story. Of course, Kingsolver chooses to end it with him not at the ocean, but on the way there. A great metaphor for a sobriety journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I didn't grow up in Appalachia but I did grow up in a pretty backwoodsy area with more than a few high school heroin overdoses and confederate flags, and I don't understand what half of the commenters calling this exploitative trauma porn are so upset about. It is a novel. In the form of a man-in-recovery's journal. It took me a minute to be fully sucked in but once I got there, I couldn't put this one down. I feel like this book is secretly a comedy, honestly, and really, really loved it.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's almost good enough to get me to get over my dislike of Dickens and read Copperfield. Almost. Very compelling story about a boy's life in a region of America that is often not otherwise portrayed honestly or fairly.