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Demon Copperhead

24 replies

cassiatwenty · 20/09/2023 09:45

Hi,

I saw a lot of posts about Demon Copperhead which I enjoyed reading, so thought I'd make us a thread.

Did you finish it? How did you like it? What were your thoughts? Best bits? If you read David Copperfield, how did it measure up?

I wanted to get it but it's very popular and my local library doesn't have a free copy. I like reading your posts about it as it won Pulitzer's.

OP posts:
VanillaFlotilla · 20/09/2023 10:14

Ooh I've just finished this. It's the first proper novel I've read in ages and was drawn to it because I love B Kingsolver and, well, the Pulitzer. I hesitated slightly, having never read David Copperfield, but everything I read in the Demon reviews assured me that it stands alone as a story in its own right so I gave it a go.

And it did not disappoint. I love Kingsolver's style - the universe she creates is very tangible and immersive. The places and characters are well rounded and convincing: I had such a clear picture of them in my mind. And I really appreciated the humour in the story, ie the sarcastic inner voice of Demon.

My only criticism is that the last 1/3 of the story seemed to drag and I lost track of some of the peripheral characters. And although I did really enjoy the happy ending, I felt like it wrapped up a bit abruptly.

But overall, a fantastic read and I've recommended it to my book-loving friends.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 20/09/2023 10:19

VanillaFlotilla · 20/09/2023 10:14

Ooh I've just finished this. It's the first proper novel I've read in ages and was drawn to it because I love B Kingsolver and, well, the Pulitzer. I hesitated slightly, having never read David Copperfield, but everything I read in the Demon reviews assured me that it stands alone as a story in its own right so I gave it a go.

And it did not disappoint. I love Kingsolver's style - the universe she creates is very tangible and immersive. The places and characters are well rounded and convincing: I had such a clear picture of them in my mind. And I really appreciated the humour in the story, ie the sarcastic inner voice of Demon.

My only criticism is that the last 1/3 of the story seemed to drag and I lost track of some of the peripheral characters. And although I did really enjoy the happy ending, I felt like it wrapped up a bit abruptly.

But overall, a fantastic read and I've recommended it to my book-loving friends.

That’s exactly the issue had with The Poisonwoof Bible, so that’s making me a bit reluctant to pick up DC.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 20/09/2023 10:20

I have four chapters to go.
Will be back soon!

AvonCallingBarksdale · 20/09/2023 13:15

Six chapters to go! I have really enjoyed it - immersive as per a PP is exactly how I’ve found it. I’ve not read David Copperfield but not sure that’s made any difference tbh.

Mayhemmumma · 20/09/2023 13:45

I really enjoyed it, you go on a bit of a journey with the character. It was ready to end as pretty long so I was delighted with the ending! Made me cry.

Duckdown · 20/09/2023 13:50

I listened to it on audiobook from my library and loved it. The narrator was great. Like previous posters said, there was a section in the final third that dragged a bit for me. But I liked how it ended.
I was then inspired to get David copperfield out on audiobook. 36 hours long! But I loved it even more. It was narrated by Richard Armitage and I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
The parallels were great between the two, but for me, the original was the better book.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 20/09/2023 17:25

I finished it today and have returned it to Borrowbox. I thought it was excellent. It was a difficult but worthwhile read.
I agree, it was immersive. The reader was drawn into Demon's world from the outset and it was very compelling. I also couldn't place a character towards the end; (Something-Out. The lad who was with Demon and Tommy at the farm). It felt a bit long in places but it was well written. Very sharp and insightful.

I liked the interlude with Betsy and Dick. It was short but so sweet and also the return visit. I found the description of the little dog curled up with Dori very moving.

I haven't read 'David Copperfield' yet but I plan to before the end of the year. Need a breather first!

Original poster
cassiatwenty · 20/09/2023 19:28

It's really nice to have people share experiences of this book especially as it's something relatively new and recent. I enjoyed reading your posts and seeing how you've enjoyed DC.

OP posts:
CirreltheSquirrel · 20/09/2023 19:53

I really enjoyed it too. The character I couldn't place was Martha. I read a review before reading it which said it felt too long but I really didn't feel that, I devoured it and got through it far too quickly for my liking!

I also haven't read David Copperfield and may put it on my to read list.

SadCelticBunny · 20/09/2023 22:04

I am such a wuss, I am lots of the way through but I just know something bad is going to happen and I cannot bear it!!

Apart from that I love it, her writing is wonderful.
Anyone read Unsheltered? That is brilliant too.

DannyKin · 20/09/2023 22:58

I couldn't remember who Martha was either - had to Google in the end! I love David Copperfield and I think that made me enjoy this even more - I knew roughly how each character's story was going to go so could take my time seeing how they got there.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 21/09/2023 19:30

I'm reading it at the moment and really enjoying it - DC has a wonderful turn of phrase. I've laughed, gasped and cried. It's heartbreaking at times. I read David Copperfield many years ago so I'm not even attempting to match up the characters.

SlightlyJaded · 25/09/2023 17:26

I absolutely loved it. Such a fantastic novel - all the parallels to David Copperfield are there but it really is a novel for our time.

I really like Barbara Kingsolver and The Poisonwood Bible is one of my all time favourite books, but I could not get on with Unsheltered at all

DaisyWaldron · 25/09/2023 17:30

I've just bought the audiobook, so will peek in once I've got further in.

Sorrytomoan · 29/09/2023 16:18

Ive just bought this on kindle so placemarking to come back later.
I've not read David Copperfield but absolutely loved the recent film.

meditated · 02/10/2023 10:52

I'm listening to the last chapter while doing my crafting. I also borrowed through BorrowBox.

Have you got your hands on it, OP? Would love to discuss with more details (spoilers!) after everybody's read/ listened to it.

LongBoi · 03/10/2023 21:56

I read it for my book group and was really struggling for the first 40% or so - not because the writing wasn't masterful (it was) but because life was just so cruel for Demon, over and over, with no sign at all of ever improving. Which I know is kind of the point of the book, but it made for a very sobering read. I was turning the pages with a sort of trepidation, as yet more exploitative and miserable people marched across the horizon to inflict yet more misery on poor Demon. Then things started to improve somewhat for him, and I got into it and then, things got worse again and was speeding towards the end. And then it was over and the whole novel haunted me for days.

Usually at book group we talk about who we'd cast in a film version, or how we'd have changed the ending, but for once there was a sort of stunned silence about it. It really made me reappraise my thoughts about David Copperfield, and how that must have had a similar impact on contemporary readers - who weren't reading it as a BBC costume drama.

Sorry, I hope there aren't any spoilers in there!

Hellohah · 04/10/2023 19:43

I have read David Copperfield (it's my favourite Dickens) and while Demon is no David and BK doesn't write villains anywhere near as well as Dickens, I really enjoyed it.

It is well worth the read.

AuntieMarys · 04/10/2023 19:44

I really enjoyed it...got mine through world of books on Ebay for £3. Free postage

AvonCallingBarksdale · 05/10/2023 09:50

@LongBoi i felt very much the same. Don’t want to say too much more if others haven’t finished. I’m reading Andrew Hunter Murray’s Sanctuary now and my head is still full of Demon!

IceandIndigo · 06/10/2023 19:47

I read this a few months ago. I liked the character of Demon and found myself drawn in to the story but I have to admit I find Kingsolver’s writing a little didactic/preachy at times. Like, she set out to write this book because she wanted to show us how terrible the Oxy epidemic is in America, and sometimes I feel like it’s too obvious how she puts her own views in the characters’ mouths. I really didn’t like Unsheltered for that reason, although I adored The Lacuna, it’s still my favourite of her books.

I haven’t read David Copperfield, have struggled to get on with Dickens in the past although perhaps should try him again.

Bobbybobbins · 06/10/2023 20:14

@IceandIndigo I agree and find Dickens is quite preachy too.

mynameiscalypso · 06/10/2023 20:20

I enjoyed it. I always feel like you're in the hands of a skilled writer with Kingslover. That said, I felt it was too long especially in the middle. There were a number of chapters I just skipped (the long description of tobacco harvesting for one). I was expecting to find it more harrowing than I did but I think in some ways it was more powerful for that.

LongBoi · 06/10/2023 20:20

IceandIndigo · 06/10/2023 19:47

I read this a few months ago. I liked the character of Demon and found myself drawn in to the story but I have to admit I find Kingsolver’s writing a little didactic/preachy at times. Like, she set out to write this book because she wanted to show us how terrible the Oxy epidemic is in America, and sometimes I feel like it’s too obvious how she puts her own views in the characters’ mouths. I really didn’t like Unsheltered for that reason, although I adored The Lacuna, it’s still my favourite of her books.

I haven’t read David Copperfield, have struggled to get on with Dickens in the past although perhaps should try him again.

Yes, I did think it was a bit on the nose that she brought in a cool teacher to lecture not only Demon and his class on the history of the Appalachian exploitation but the reading audience too.

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