Publisher: Harper
First Publication: 2022
Book Review: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Okay folks, let’s dive right into Barbara Kingsolver’s latest tour de force, Demon Copperhead. Inspired by the classic David Copperfield story, this modern tragedy-meets-black-comedy takes us on one young man’s gritty, no-holds-barred journey through the deepest depths of modern-day Appalachia.
Right off the bat, let me say – this book isn’t for the faint of heart. Kingsolver holds nothing back in her unflinching portrayal of generational poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, and a thousand other ugly truths that make up the fabric of protagonist Demon’s tumultuous upbringing. You’ll squirm, you’ll rage, and you’ll definitely need a palate cleanser of puppy videos after those first few gut-punching chapters.
But stick with it, because underneath all that bleakness lies a surprisingly buoyant spirit that will have you cheering for the resilient, street-smart, utterly charismatic Demon from beginning to end. Like David Copperfield before him, our modern-day hero may get repeatedly knocked down, but he always gets back up with more tenacity than a mullet-wearing pitbull.
Raised by an impoverished, painfully negligent single mother, young Damon Fields (nicknamed “Demon” for reasons that become abundantly clear) has the odds stacked against him before he can even talk. Whether it’s his mom’s rotating stream of abusive boyfriends, his own intermittent stints in foster care, or the ever-looming threat of the local meth epidemic, kid Demon has to grow up way too fast in a world not meant for children.
Despite it all, he never loses his desire to understand the world around him – diving into books whenever he can, soaking up wisdom from the few positive role models who cross his path, and exhibiting a wisdom beyond his years that will have you simultaneously cheering and shaking your head in dismay. Kingsolver’s handling of Demon’s adolescent voice is nothing short of masterful; witty and keenly observant one moment, heartrending and raw the next. You can’t help but fall for the little dude.
Of course, as is the case with most protagonists on a journey of self-discovery, people enter Demon’s life who help shape his evolution – for better or worse. There’s his bighearted but constantly enabling grandmother who provides rare moments of unconditional love. His tough-as-nails yet fiercely loyal buddy Puck who watches Demon’s back on the harsh street corners of Virginia. Angelic foster parents Plant and Sugar who finally provide Demon a brief respite of stability. And of course, the enigmatic and complicated Painter Ella who becomes Demon’s unlikely benefactor…as well as a deep source of inspiration as he ultimately discovers his own artistic talents.
I could go on about how each character enriches Demon’s odyssey in unique ways, but that would be robbing you of the joy (and pain) of discovery. Just know that every single person who drifts through his world – however briefly – leaves an indelible mark. It’s a harsh but undeniable truth that we’re all shaped by those around us, for better or worse. Kingsolver understands that intimately.
What I can rave about without reservation is Kingsolver’s breathtaking mastery of language on every page. This book is a feast for word nerds, with metaphors and analogies so gloriously fresh that you’ll be doing double-takes constantly. Whether it’s a particularly insightful turn of phrase from young Demon, or Kingsolver’s hauntingly lyrical descriptions of the natural world surrounding him, I found myself folding over page corners just to return later and savor the wordsmith wizardry.
Speaking of which – can we take a moment to revel in how vividly Kingsolver brings the Appalachian landscape and its denizens to life? As Demon tumbles through mining towns, trailer parks, and deep backwoods hollers, you can practically smell the pungent odors, hear the colorful dialect, and feel the soul-wearying hopelessness that permeates every crack and crevice. It’s an entire world rendered with meticulous, unsentimental detail – and yet Kingsolver still manages to unearth the stubborn splashes of beauty that insist on blooming, even among the bleakest environments.
Now I’ll be the first to admit, Demon Copperhead is not an easy or particularly uplifting read at times. Kingsolver leans hard into depicting the harsh realities of the modern-day opioid crisis, cyclical poverty, environmental degradation, and systemic disadvantages faced by so many in rural America. My heart bled more times than I can count for the never-ending roadblocks thrown at our resilient protagonist.
But ultimately, what makes this book such an essential, cathartic experience is its enormous capacity for empathy and compassion, even when depicting the ugliest of human behavior. It’s a full-hearted rejection of judgement, a humbling reminder that we’re all shaped by circumstances often outside our control – and that the true measure of a person lies in their ability to keep fighting, keep dreaming, keep finding reasons to live and love despite it all.
So yeah…grab some tissues, buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster, and dive headfirst into Demon Copperhead convinced of one thing – that you’re about to encounter a truly singular character whose hard-won trials and tribulations will change you a little bit. Disturbing yet luminous, gut-wrenching yet mordantly funny, Kingsolver’s modern epic reminds us that the light can never be extinguished, even when it seems hopelessly enveloped by darkness.
Demon Copperhead is a must-read instant classic that celebrates resilience, wrestles with hard truths, and has fun with language along the way. I’ll be agonizing over its beautiful agony for a long, long time – and you should too.