A review by laurahastoomanywips
Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a modern re-telling of Dicken's "David Copperfield" but I don't think you need to have read the original to read this.
Kingsolver sets this version in modern day Virginia and neighbouring states in the Southern US amidst the prescription and illegal drugs epidemic created by Oxytocin.
This was a much more challenging read than the original, perhaps due to a combination of it being modern and the life events for "Damon Fields" or "Demon Copperhead" as he is nicknamed are so much more horrific than in Dicken's tale.
This was beautifully written, very colourful characters, his friend Maggot was particularly memorable, which I think helped keep me reading through the various tragic situations.
I think this will be one of my books of the year, and will no doubt be a popular read, possibly a modern-day classic.
With thanks to the author and The Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
Kingsolver sets this version in modern day Virginia and neighbouring states in the Southern US amidst the prescription and illegal drugs epidemic created by Oxytocin.
This was a much more challenging read than the original, perhaps due to a combination of it being modern and the life events for "Damon Fields" or "Demon Copperhead" as he is nicknamed are so much more horrific than in Dicken's tale.
This was beautifully written, very colourful characters, his friend Maggot was particularly memorable, which I think helped keep me reading through the various tragic situations.
I think this will be one of my books of the year, and will no doubt be a popular read, possibly a modern-day classic.
With thanks to the author and The Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read ahead of publication.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Injury/injury detail, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Self harm
The child abuse is mainly in the form of neglect