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Demon Copperhead...

27 replies

GingerCoi · 19/07/2023 20:55

Can someone who has got through this please tell me when it gets good? I'm reading rave reviews but have just found the characters difficult to engage with and the relentless misfortune frustrating. Bearing in mind that I actively like books with emotional up and downs and don't shy away from trauma in fiction, it is saying something for me to have had enough of the persistent misery... I got about 40% of the way through, to the point where things seem to be on the up for Demon, only to read a spoiler (mistakenly) which told me that it's all about to come spectacularly crashing down again, and I had to give up.

Without giving too much away, as I may go back to it, please could those of you who've loved it tell me what it is about it that is garnering all this effusion?

OP posts:
bookworm14 · 19/07/2023 21:05

I loved it and found it completely gripping, particularly the exploration of the US opioid addiction crisis. Perhaps it helps to have read David Copperfield first so you can see all the parallels. Things do eventually get better for Demon (as they do for David) but it does take a while to get there!

Offredismysister · 19/07/2023 21:02

I loved it, it is miserable, but I think I could relate to Demon as I’ve had a parent die from addiction issues. I also work in an area that sees this story play out on a loop. So for me it was enjoying him finding joy in the little things & willing him on. I also liked the description of some of the other characters, Aunt June, fast forward & Angus.