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clairebartholomew549 's review for:
Demon Copperhead
by Barbara Kingsolver
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have been meaning to read this book for truly so long, and I'm so glad I finally got around to it for my book club this month. I feel like this book is what Hillbilly Elegy wishes it was (sorry not sorry J.D. Vance ¯\_(ツ)_/¯): an extremely honest and brutal portrayal of people living in rural Appalachia in communities that have been completely marginalized and left behind by industrialization, urbanization, and elitism. Damon is a very complicated character, and not always likable. But this book masterfully shows how even when he tries his hardest, there are so many barriers to success. From the beginning of his life, he experiences the perfect storm of traumas and struggles. I would say it's rewarding when he overcomes challenges, but there's also a sense of hopelessness, a sense of waiting for the next shoe to drop. Kingsolver elicits that anxiety exceptionally well.
There were so many parts of this book that hit me really hard - too many to write here. For every moment where a character fucks up or does something awful, Kingsolver has an answering moment where we get so much context for the tragedies that have shaped them. But Kingsolver doesn't sanitize any of the characters or try to redeem them either. This book in turns made me exquisitely sad and moved and hopeful and devastated - really the whole spectrum of emotion. It's long, but it goes quick - the writing is fast-paced, and being along for the ride with Damon is a meaningful experience.
This book covers a lot of triggering topics, but I would say it goes into the most detail about drug use/abuse/addiction, foster care, and poverty and classism.
There were so many parts of this book that hit me really hard - too many to write here. For every moment where a character fucks up or does something awful, Kingsolver has an answering moment where we get so much context for the tragedies that have shaped them. But Kingsolver doesn't sanitize any of the characters or try to redeem them either. This book in turns made me exquisitely sad and moved and hopeful and devastated - really the whole spectrum of emotion. It's long, but it goes quick - the writing is fast-paced, and being along for the ride with Damon is a meaningful experience.
This book covers a lot of triggering topics, but I would say it goes into the most detail about drug use/abuse/addiction, foster care, and poverty and classism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, Vomit, Pregnancy