A review by kirajohnson6
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I felt uncertain as to how much I “enjoyed” this book as I read it, but now that it is over I keep thinking about it. And I think that is a sign of a well-written book. And it is definitely well-written; Barbara Kingsolver is a remarkably talented writer. This book is H E A V Y and deals with very real issues of foster care, poverty, substance abuse, opioid addictions, and death. It is explicit in language and sexual content. And although it is fictional it tells the story of so many Appalachian Americans. 

What struck me most (what I find myself still thinking about even after finishing) is the question of who created this mess? Is it the people making poor decisions? Or is it the system, offering the vulnerable few choices? Capitalism has some positives, but I think this book clearly shows the very dark negatives. 
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