Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

[Luke Warm]

Pretty dark so far. Based on David Copperfield except set in modern day Appalachia.

[LifeHappens]

My book club read this for July. It is a tough read. Demon goes through many ups and downs. I really appreciate Kingsolver's insight into the history and culture of Appalachia and how capitalism has played into its evolution.

[ixtap]

My book club read this for July. It is a tough read. Demon goes through many ups and downs. I really appreciate Kingsolver's insight into the history and culture of Appalachia and how capitalism has played into its evolution.

Interesting, all the Kingsolver novels I have read previously were more Southwestern. But yes, she deals with difficult subjects consistently. I haven't been reading much fiction lately and I don't think that is what I need to get back into the habit.

[Luke Warm]

I finished the book this weekend. That was a brutal story. Not hard to imagine that type of stuff really happens to kids. The whole coal company/big pharma thing was depressing.

[LifeHappens]

The whole coal company/big pharma thing was depressing.

Appalachia has definitely gotten the raw end of capitalism.

[Rural]

The whole coal company/big pharma thing was depressing.

Appalachia has definitely gotten the raw end of capitalism.

Indeed.


Best book I've read in years, and also the most difficult one I've ever finished.

[NotJen]

Read this earlier in the year for a book club and really enjoyed it (I mean, it’s rough, but such a well-written book).  I’ve never read David Copperfield or any other Kingsolver book, and now they are on my to-read list.

It reminded me a lot of The Goldfinch.

[Morning Glory]

I really enjoyed this one also. The character development was great, especially the way she aged Demon so that he developed a more complex understanding of things over time. I especially liked that even the most flawed characters were treated like real people deserving of empathy instead of just cautionary tales. I think she did a good job of weaving in social issues without being preachy.

[LifeHappens]

Read this earlier in the year for a book club and really enjoyed it (I mean, it’s rough, but such a well-written book).  I’ve never read David Copperfield or any other Kingsolver book, and now they are on my to-read list.

The Poisonwood Bible is *excellent*. Personally, I think it's a better book than Demon Copperhead.

[SunnyDays]

Read this earlier in the year for a book club and really enjoyed it (I mean, it’s rough, but such a well-written book).  I’ve never read David Copperfield or any other Kingsolver book, and now they are on my to-read list.

It reminded me a lot of The Goldfinch.

I loved both Demon and Goldfinch!  The latter has stayed with me longer - so descriptive.
I started David Copperfield years ago and couldn't get through it.  Not really a fan of Dickens - way too wordy for me.

[Western Red Cedar]

I finished this last weekend. I found it really gripping and suspect the novel will sit with me for a long time. Very dark, but beautiful prose and character development. Kingsolver had a really interesting interview with Ezra Klein a couple years ago about the book and Appalachia which is worth checking out.

For a more uplifting view on the region, people can check out her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle; which documents her journey of moving to Appalachia and eating locally for a year. Very mustachian and another gem from Kingsolver.