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j_linder 's review for:

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
4.5
dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated

Apparently, 2025 is the year for me to read devastating novels. There are many parallels to A Little Life, given the trauma and all of the "fight or flight" moments that Demon goes through. You desperately feel for him as he attempts to have any resemblance to a normal life and childhood. The cast of characters is incredibly well crafted, and you are bound to have strong positive and negative feelings towards each character. 

This would be a 5/5 novel for me, but I did not enjoy the football interlude. However, I was continuously intrigued by the premise of Demon reaching Virginia Beach. Put simply, Virginia Beach was posed as a goal that was always so close, but never attainable (*wink wink*). 

Additional Notes: 
  • P.S. Mr. Armstrong is the GOAT. 
  • "Good people don't give up on the ones they love"