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A review by vani_in_wonderland_
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
~ Demon, my boy... the ocean awaits you ~
Once in a blue moon, a book sweeps you off your feet, leaving you grasping for the right words to convey its impact. Demon Copperhead was precisely that celestial gem. For seven nights straight, it was just me and Demon, his captivating tale unfolding before my eyes. Kingsolver's masterful prose transcends mere reading, immersing you in a world of raw honesty and finesse.
A boy gets himself born in a mobile home, the Eagle Scout of trailer trash as he says to a mother who is an expert at rehab. That boy is Damon Fields, or better known, Demon Copperhead; facing life with a streak of misfortune. Yearning for safety and stability, he becomes the embodiment of a soul pushing back against life's relentless tide. Demon's story is about the beauty and ugliness of the world. It is difficult to continue the book at times as the journey is taxing, it drains you and finding the silver lining is hard, but it changes something within you. Consider it like your heart being broken into pieces and joined with the intricate art of Kintsugi. On the last page, I was left with a feeling that ornate!
With a beautiful story at its centre , Barbara deftly tackles some significant issues too.
Demon, who himself is a child, has to be a parent to his addict mother; he sets her alarms and makes sure she is on track. He says, 'when your parent clocks out before you clock in, you can spend way too much time staring into that blackhole'
Children who are abandoned by society, are once again failed by overburdened child services. Demon and many more like him keep jumping through different foster homes. Where adults seem incapable of taking charge, it is children that show acts of compassion and kindness. Be it his childhood friend Maggot or kids he meets at Creaky Farm, his foster home, who never knew safety themselves.
Through Demon's narration, reader is introduced to the oft-misunderstood people of South Appalachia. Stereotypes shatter, and empathy blooms, revealing a community facing institutional poverty and an opioid crisis, wrought by the pharmaceutical industry.
Even though the book is largely centered around Demon, Kingsolver's writing gives every character a unique shine, leaving a lasting impression. Yet, the most heart-warming aspect, in my humble opinion, was the evolution of friendships—be it with his childhood pal Maggot, Tommy at Creaky's Farm, or his quirky guardian angel Angus.
True, the subjects tackled in this book aren't a walk in the park, but it's an ode to a long-neglected community. Engaging plotlines, Demon's wit, and his perspective on life carry you through the pages like a gust of wind. There are still a few things that I would like to add but it would enter into the spoiler territory and nor am I left of any more space. What I will say is - Please do not miss this masterpiece!
There is a Hindi song written by Sahir Ludhianvi and in voice of Mohd. Rafi that I found myself humming alot when I was reading the book. It was...
🎵Main Zindagi ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya; Album - Hum Dono
I now call it Demon's song as much like his resilience, the song is a toast to the spirit with which one should face the tough times and keep moving on.
Once in a blue moon, a book sweeps you off your feet, leaving you grasping for the right words to convey its impact. Demon Copperhead was precisely that celestial gem. For seven nights straight, it was just me and Demon, his captivating tale unfolding before my eyes. Kingsolver's masterful prose transcends mere reading, immersing you in a world of raw honesty and finesse.
A boy gets himself born in a mobile home, the Eagle Scout of trailer trash as he says to a mother who is an expert at rehab. That boy is Damon Fields, or better known, Demon Copperhead; facing life with a streak of misfortune. Yearning for safety and stability, he becomes the embodiment of a soul pushing back against life's relentless tide. Demon's story is about the beauty and ugliness of the world. It is difficult to continue the book at times as the journey is taxing, it drains you and finding the silver lining is hard, but it changes something within you. Consider it like your heart being broken into pieces and joined with the intricate art of Kintsugi. On the last page, I was left with a feeling that ornate!
With a beautiful story at its centre , Barbara deftly tackles some significant issues too.
Demon, who himself is a child, has to be a parent to his addict mother; he sets her alarms and makes sure she is on track. He says, 'when your parent clocks out before you clock in, you can spend way too much time staring into that blackhole'
Children who are abandoned by society, are once again failed by overburdened child services. Demon and many more like him keep jumping through different foster homes. Where adults seem incapable of taking charge, it is children that show acts of compassion and kindness. Be it his childhood friend Maggot or kids he meets at Creaky Farm, his foster home, who never knew safety themselves.
Through Demon's narration, reader is introduced to the oft-misunderstood people of South Appalachia. Stereotypes shatter, and empathy blooms, revealing a community facing institutional poverty and an opioid crisis, wrought by the pharmaceutical industry.
Even though the book is largely centered around Demon, Kingsolver's writing gives every character a unique shine, leaving a lasting impression. Yet, the most heart-warming aspect, in my humble opinion, was the evolution of friendships—be it with his childhood pal Maggot, Tommy at Creaky's Farm, or his quirky guardian angel Angus.
True, the subjects tackled in this book aren't a walk in the park, but it's an ode to a long-neglected community. Engaging plotlines, Demon's wit, and his perspective on life carry you through the pages like a gust of wind. There are still a few things that I would like to add but it would enter into the spoiler territory and nor am I left of any more space. What I will say is - Please do not miss this masterpiece!
There is a Hindi song written by Sahir Ludhianvi and in voice of Mohd. Rafi that I found myself humming alot when I was reading the book. It was...
🎵Main Zindagi ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya; Album - Hum Dono
I now call it Demon's song as much like his resilience, the song is a toast to the spirit with which one should face the tough times and keep moving on.