Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead

By Barbara Kingsolver

  • Release Date: 2022-10-18
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 2,597 Ratings

Description

WINNER OF THE 2023 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION

A New York Times "Ten Best Books of 2022 • An Oprah’s Book Club Selection • An Instant New York Times Bestseller • An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller • A #1 Washington Post Bestseller 

"Demon is a voice for the ages—akin to Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield—only even more resilient.” —Beth Macy, author of Dopesick

"May be the best novel of 2022. . . . Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” (Ron Charles, Washington Post)

From the acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees, a brilliant novel that enthralls, compels, and captures the heart as it evokes a young hero’s unforgettable journey to maturity

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relayed in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens’ anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.

Reviews

  • DEMON COPPERFIELD

    5
    By hcclc
    Coming from the system i am here to tell you this excellent book was so hard for this 70 yo woman as so much took me back to those early yrs of mine in Oklahoma. Different but the same. Gripping at times. This book goes the range of emotions. Sad funny delighted scared happy destroyed and tears laughter. Im so happy i have read it. Thank you all who made this book come alive especially the author.
  • Wonderful!

    5
    By mkswalgreen
    Truly loved this book. I so wanted for Demon to turn his life around and find his happiness. I’m certainly not going to reveal if this ever happened here in my review! I’ve never understood why some people become addicts. this story gave me an appreciation of why some submit to addiction. No one wants to become an addict, however each has their story of what led them to their addiction. This was my first Barbara Kingsolver novel; it certainly is not my last.
  • As real as it can get.

    5
    By kdbarba
    Loved this book! As life goes on you start to realizes that there are class systems that we all get put in, maybe upgraded, maybe not, but the struggles of this young boy and his friends was real from beginning to end! A few lucky ones break away.
  • Love this author but a hard read

    4
    By Sarahnelson2005
    The writing as usual is spectacular, weaving elements of nature and culture into an amazing story as only she can. That being said I almost quit on this book several times. It is just so very heavy and sad with so few uplifting moments. I would say the journey of this book feels like watching an ASPCA commercial—sad, guilty, and hopeless. Ultimately I’m glad I saw it though to the end. I even feel guilty writing this review because I love Barbara Kingsolver so very much!
  • Kingsolver is just the best!

    5
    By Jon1940
    When I back up a few pages to re-read a section, I know I’ve got hold of a really great book. This is one of those.
  • Dang What a Good Book

    5
    By Nurse Em
    If you like books about recovery and self discovery then you will love these characters
  • Wow

    5
    By Halen
    Potentially life-changing read for just about anyone from anywhere…
  • Real life

    5
    By 1Charrogirl
    Great insight and realities. Page-turner for me. Loved it.
  • Pulitzer Prize book 2024

    5
    By garvale1953
    Such a great story. Love the author … read all of her books.
  • Good read

    4
    By Happyforest13
    A realistic look into the effects of the opioid crisis but told in a masterful story telling way. Parts of the book was so depressing that I didn’t know if I could finish but glad I did.