Demon Copperhead (by Barbara Kingsolver)
Despite living in Kentucky for many years now, I had yet to read a Barbara Kingsolver novel. (She's a Kentucky native, if you didn't know.) I was persuaded to read Prodigal Summer after it was recommended by Neil Peart in one of his biographies. I purchased a copy and still have yet to read it — it's patiently waiting its turn on my bookshelf.
A Goodreads Challenge actually prompted me to read Demon Copperhead. I'm not a fan of snakes, so I was disinterested in this book when it was released. Well, I guess I need to add "don't judge a book by its title" to the list of things not to judge a book by. If you've read Demon Copperhead, then you know I was ignorant of the title's significance — it's about a young boy named Demon Copperhead, not the snake.
Inspired by Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, Demon Copperhead is set in the Appalachian region of Virginia. Told in the vivid first-person voice of a red-haired boy nicknamed Demon, the story follows his journey from a difficult childhood in a rural mountain community through the foster care system, high school football glory, and the crushing grip of the opioid epidemic. He's an orphaned child navigating a world of poverty and neglect, surrounded by colorful characters both kind and cruel.
I really liked Demon Copperhead — both the story and the boy. As this is my first Kingsolver, I'm quite impressed by her storytelling. I enjoyed how the book follows Demon's narrative literally from birth until early adulthood. I easily became immersed in his life and didn't want the story to end. I love when a story pulls me in and I never get tired of the characters. Poor Demon faces almost every imaginable unfair and unfortunate event life can throw at one person, and yet he keeps pushing forward.
That said, it is a fairly typical Appalachian story. While there were a few surprises, there were also many aspects I expected. I believe Kingsolver wants readers to experience and understand the hardships many people living in Appalachia face, and I respect the empathy she invokes for her characters. I also enjoyed the gritty humor woven throughout.
I borrowed the audiobook from my local library. Charlie Thurston provided a perfect narration that truly brought Demon to life. I'm grateful to have been introduced to Barbara Kingsolver's work and look forward to reading more of her books.
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