Stephanie Sullivan: Review - Demon Copperhead

TITLE: Demon Copperhead (audiobook)

RATING: ★★★★

Summary (from Goodreads): "Anyone will tell you the born of this world are marked from the get-out, win or lose."

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, this is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens' anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can't imagine leaving behind.

REVIEW: This was my first time reading Barbara Kingsolver's work, and I LOVED IT! I'm glad I chose the audiobook version because the narrator, Charlie Thurston, did such an amazing job. His voice is clear and concise, and the way he gives each character such a distinct voice is just incredible. Demon's life from childhood (enduring foster care) to adulthood (battling with addiction) will make you laugh, cry, gasp, and truly break your heart at times. The only problem I had with this otherwise great story was the ending. The last chapter felt rushed, and the conclusion left me feeling a bit confused. I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say I didn't see that one coming. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone, and I can't wait to read more of Kingsolver's work. Oh yeah, almost forgot...if you're the type who doesn't like cursing, then you might want to skip this one because there is A LOT. The audiobook version is also 21 hours long, so make sure you have the time to devote to it.