Book Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The novel Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, is a modern-day retelling of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. The reader follows Damon, nicknamed “Demon,” as he grows up in rural Appalachia during the height of the opioid crisis in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Starting in a trailer with his single mother, the book explores the challenges of pushing through poverty, addiction, foster care, and loss through Demon’s snarky yet insightful voice. 

One of the appealing things about the book is that it’s written from Demon’s perspective. It does a great job of putting you in his shoes; it almost feels as though you’re experiencing his life alongside him. Before reading this book, I recommend having a basic understanding of the opioid crisis. While it’s not necessary, it adds depth to the book to be able to recognize what’s going on. This book deals with heavy themes, so if you’re uncomfortable with themes mentioned previously, you might want to hold off on this book. While I wouldn’t say that pacing was bad throughout the book, the start is a bit slow as it builds the background to Demon’s character. Despite this, the book was extremely enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it. The book won a Pulitzer Prize, and it’s well-deserved, as I would rate it a 10 out of 10.  Reviewed by Dylan C.