A review by angelaf
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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

5.0

A line in Demon Copperhead says, "What matters in a story is the heart of its hero." That's what got me through this book - rooting for Demon. This is a hard novel to read. So hard, I had to take a break halfway through to read something lighter. Its language is gorgeous. I can't imagine having the talent to write Demon's voice while simultaneously providing insightful thoughts about the opioid crisis, institutional poverty, and the history of the Appalachians. One day, I would like to return to a slow, close read of Demon Copperhead alongside David Copperfield, but for now I will continue pondering the issues Kingsolver raises in this soon-to-be modern classic. Read if you enjoy: stories with long arcs, coming-of-age novels, Appalachian settings
Expand filter menu Content Warnings