Book Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

As someone who grew up in eastern Kentucky in the 1990s, I approached Barbara Kingsolver's 'Demon Copperhead' with deep skepticism. Stories set in Appalachia often miss the mark—they either romanticize a past that I'm pretty sure never existed or dismiss and belittle the communities and people I grew up in. Most books seem to fail to reflect the life and place I knew as a kid. However, upon a trusted recommendation (Thanks, Rob!), I decided to give it a chance, and I'm glad I did.

Demon Copperhead is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that reimagines Charles Dickens' classic, David Copperfield, setting it against the backdrop of rural Appalachia in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Much of this book feels like home. The cadence and storytelling resonate deeply with my own experiences. I couldn't help but think of kids I went to school with who reminded me a lot of Demon—football stars unsure of what to do with their art talents, kids who seemed lost, and those who were likely grappling with profound home issues that I never fully understood at the time.

Even the descriptions of Demon's life with his mother in the trailer brought back vivid memories—the smell of the well water when you turn it on, that slight rotten egg scent, but it's still good enough. Kingsolver weaves a narrative that is both a homage to Dickens and a poignant commentary on contemporary social issues, particularly those affecting Appalachia. Through her unflinching prose and first-person narrative, she provides an intimate glimpse into a world that's often misunderstood.

One passage struck me in particular:

“There’s this thing that happens, let’s say at school where a bunch of guys are in the bathroom, at the urinal, laughing about some dork that made an anus of himself in gym. You’re all basically nice guys, right? You know right from wrong, and would not in a million years be brutal to the poor guy’s face. And then it happens: the dork was in the shitter. He comes out of the stall with this look. He heard everything. And you realize you’re not really that nice of a guy. This is what I would say if I could, to all smart people of the world with their dumb hillbilly jokes: We are right here in the stall. We can actually hear you.”

This echoed my own feelings growing up—being embarrassed of coming from Appalachia, of being from rural Kentucky. Meeting people when we traveled or visited extended family, I felt the weight of stereotypes and jokes. But as I grew older and settled elsewhere, I developed a deep and abiding love for where I'm from and the experiences I had. Kingsolver's book reminded me that while we've come a long way, there's still much left to do. Your jokes and stereotypes are heard and have an impact on real people.

The novel tackles several heavy-hitting themes: systemic poverty, neglect, abuse, and the opioid crisis. Whether or not her cultural commentary and assessment of some of the root causes of these issues is accurate I'll leave to folks far more qualified than I am to speak to it, but I suspect she gets more right than wrong here. The poverty that has entombed Appalachia has been generations in the making and will likely take a long time to unwind.

While Barbara Kingsolver's prose is lyrical and evocative, there are times when her cleverness shines through more than the characters do. When folks have criticized Demon Copperhead as being a bit pretentious, I think these are likely the passages they are referencing. She does employ regional dialects and vivid imagery effectively, though, immersing you in a unique time and place.

'Demon Copperhead' is a master class in telling a well-known story in a fresh and unique way. For those familiar with Appalachia, like myself, the novel is unsettling in how personal it feels. It authentically portrays the region's complexities without resorting to stereotypes or dismissive narratives. The praise for this book is much deserved.

This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven stories that tackle real-world problems. Whether you're familiar with Appalachia or not, Demon Copperhead offers a profound exploration of modern social issues through the eyes of a memorable and relatable protagonist.

Book: Demon Copperhead
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction
Recommended By: Rob