A review by sahanac
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 What a book. I truly don't know how well I'll be able to review this, because it was so engrossing. I am a huge fan of mythological retellings because I think that's part of the fun of the form, but I think reworkings of the western canon of classics (thinking of the seven billion versions of Pride&Prejudice, for example, can be touch and go. The orginal texts stand the test of time for a reason. But this book as a reworking of David Copperfield lived it's own vivid, beautiful life. I can't say I loved watching Demon grow up, but I loved getting to know him, and I did love him so much that every decision that felt wrong or bad made me desperately sad for him. He tried, so hard, to be good, and he was so often spat on by life in return. The opiate use (esp after having read another book, NF this time, about it, was all too real, and the end result, his sobering, was a relief. His relationship with Angus was also a breath of fresh air, and it became such a beautiful little love story by the end, the way that she was his ocean, and he chose her back. I loved their relationship. It drove me crazy how every adult in his life utterly failed him, but it made it all the more impressive that he found his own way out. We keep talking about Demon, and there's a really good reason why. He was a special kid, and I keep him with me.