pineconek's reviews
787 reviews

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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

4.5

Believe the hype.

I have not read David Copperfield. I saw a two-part stage adaptation some fifteen years ago, and it bleeds into my memories of Oliver!, the musical. I read the wiki plot summary of David Copperfield when I was about 70% into this book, and the faithfulness of the retelling was delightful. 

I have also not read any Kingsolver, but more will get added to my TBR. I particularly enjoyed how well the author developed memorable characters and the stylistic choices made - a first person narrator with a rich inner world is always fun. 

And finally, while I know a decent amount about the opioid epidemic, I knew far less about rural Appalachian towns and the details of how these were ravaged by pharmaceutical greed. 

Recommended if you are looking to be appalled by the extent to which addiction and poverty interact to produce generational upheavel and feelings of absolute hopelessness. 4.5 stars rounded up. 




Murdle: Volume 1 by G.T. Karber

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funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'd like to thank Murdle for delighting me over and over these past few months, and I'd like to thank first year undergrad "intro to mathematical reasoning" for teaching me truth tables. 

onto volume 2!!