Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver: A review

 

Barbara Kingsolver's latest is essentially her retelling of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield set in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. The main character of her opus was named Damon by his teenage mother but, of course, that was easily turned into "Demon" by the other kids. 

Demon was born to a single mother in a single-wide trailer. His mother was a troubled adolescent who had not the first clue about caring for a baby. Demon inherited his good looks from his father who had died before he was born. Part of those looks was his distinctive copper-colored hair.

Demon soon became a ward of the state's foster care system. As such, he experienced an often traumatic existence, but from somewhere - either genes or some of his caregivers along the way - he developed a strong instinct for survival. In school, it was discovered that he had some athletic talent and that helped to smooth his way through the system.

Kingsolver tells her story through Demon's voice. The narrative is unsparing in its recitation of all the perils that he faced. Some of his foster parents forced him into child labor. The schools that he attended could be most kindly described as derelict.

After he was injured playing sports for his high school, he became addicted to painkillers. He had a long battle to overcome that addiction. He had some disastrous romantic entanglements and crushing personal losses. But that instinct for survival kicked in and he was able to overcome his challenges and setbacks.

This is quite a lengthy book of more than 600 pages and a LOT happens in it, all of which makes it a bit difficult to adequately sum up, but Barbara Kingsolver is such a terrific writer that the book never seems long. She keeps the action moving. 

In all that action, she takes us to some dark and depressing places but there is so much beauty in her telling of it that one never feels overwhelmed, never feels frustrated, or wants to hurl the book against the wall. What writing talent it takes to achieve that and to make the reader feel empathy for these characters, some of whom are not that attractive. 

I've already noticed that this book has a spot on most of the "best of 2022" lists that appear at this time of year. It would appear on my "best of" list as well. Another winner from Barbara Kingsolver.   

Comments

  1. CathyDecember 6, 2022 at 2:10 AM

    Another one to add to my Need to Read list. Thanks for the review, Dorothy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David M. Gascoigne,December 6, 2022 at 4:55 AM

    She is a great author. I will read this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersDecember 6, 2022 at 9:13 AM

      I feel confident you are going to enjoy it, David.

      Delete
  3. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzDecember 6, 2022 at 3:07 PM

    I was at the top of the list to read this one at my library, but I unfortunately only got about a third of the way into the book before I had to return it for the next person. I'm delighted to see how much you enjoyed it. I seriously thought about keeping it past the return time and just paying the fine...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lark December 6, 2022 at 3:25 PM

    Kingsolver is a really good writer. And I do like that Appalachian setting. I'll have to keep this one in mind for next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersDecember 6, 2022 at 3:28 PM

      I don't believe you'll be sorry if you decide to read it.

      Delete
  5. thecuecardDecember 6, 2022 at 3:35 PM

    Wow good! I've heard such wonderful things about this novel - that I definitely hope to get to it in 2023. I hear it's pretty dark but hopefully not totally overwhelming as you say. How Kingsolver has moved the story to Appalachia seems masterful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersDecember 6, 2022 at 3:41 PM

      The poverty in that part of Appalachia provides the darkness of the story, but the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity is the bright contrast.

      Delete
  6. Dorothy BordersDecember 7, 2022 at 9:59 AM

    This is her latest one and one of her best, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 7, 2022 at 9:09 PM

    Can't wait to read this one. Thank you, Dorothy.

    ReplyDelete

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