Demon Copperhead

Set in Appalachia, Barbara Kingsolver’s award winning novel parallels Dicken’s David Copperfield. Her hero Demon’s life is a mountain of hardship. He’s born to a teen mother who struggles with substance abuse. When she dies Demon is put into the foster system and his life declines further.

I never read David Copperfield, but have seen a film adaptation. Dickens is a master and David Copperfield is surely a classic. I’ve read his other books, so I’m permit, so I’m confident that this one is also stellar.

However, although the main character Demon (what a name, even tongue in cheek) is sympathetic, and occasionally observant, I confess I didn’t finish this book club choice. It was painful to read, mainly because of the constant onslaught of bad luck and abuse the hero suffers. I’m not a sadist and I felt the author was abusing her readers with this story.

Better books in this vein are Hillbilly Elegy, Educated or Glass Castle, which are all nonfiction and offer hope.