A review by leigh_reidelberger
Copperhead by Alexi Zentner
4.0
Solid 4 stars
Copperhead wasn't really on my radar until my co-workers started talking about it.
I really really like this book. It's a strange read though- in the way that Rage (by Richard Bachmann) is a strange read. Both stories make you see what is normally perceived as evil and nefarious with more humanity and ethos.
Many things Jessup's people said about white pride and their racist remarks were, unfortunately, a little too familiar to me. A few of my own family members have shared some of the same sentiments, though not to the extremist nature of Jessup's family and church.
Regarding that type of person, what also struck me is how after stripping away the insanity of white power and such bizarre hate,there is a good person underneath it all. Those family members of mine that have similar views are good people, just ignorant. Or maybe that's the exception we make for the people we love, like Jessup and David John.
I'm also a huge fan of how Zentner writes- it flows in a way that almost feels real time, the thoughts quick and clipped, but relatable when your mind is running in so many different directions. In many ways, his writing is artful.
Copperhead wasn't really on my radar until my co-workers started talking about it.
I really really like this book. It's a strange read though- in the way that Rage (by Richard Bachmann) is a strange read. Both stories make you see what is normally perceived as evil and nefarious with more humanity and ethos.
Many things Jessup's people said about white pride and their racist remarks were, unfortunately, a little too familiar to me. A few of my own family members have shared some of the same sentiments, though not to the extremist nature of Jessup's family and church.
Regarding that type of person, what also struck me is how after stripping away the insanity of white power and such bizarre hate,there is a good person underneath it all. Those family members of mine that have similar views are good people, just ignorant. Or maybe that's the exception we make for the people we love, like Jessup and David John.
I'm also a huge fan of how Zentner writes- it flows in a way that almost feels real time, the thoughts quick and clipped, but relatable when your mind is running in so many different directions. In many ways, his writing is artful.