Wowza, I only completed one book this month, but it was incredible. I don’t know why I put off reading it for such a long time. Demon Copperhead consumed me and I’m still thinking about it. I haven’t had a book do that in a long time. A modern day version of Huck Finn or David Copperfield (makes a mental note to add this one to the reading list), this is a must read. Scroll down to read my thoughts.

Also be sure to check out all my past reads in my new Bookshelf page.

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Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Set in Appalachia, the book opens with Demon (real name Damon) talking about his birth into the world. Demon was born to a teenager who was an addict. This is where his survival story begins. Through poverty, the social system, and the opioid drug epidemic, Demon is fighting to survive. It’s an epic journey filled with so many ups and downs I had to set it down at times because I couldn’t take another heartbreaking turn in his life. Just when you think he’s thriving, something happens and he’s back out on his own trying to find his path. You forget that he’s just a kid. How easily he can be influenced by those around him. Demon’s story heartwrenching, but from his point of view he doesn’t see it that way. It’s simply life. And you move on and through.

The writing is beautiful. They way Barbara Kingsolver has captured Demon’s voice, his thought process, what he’s going through. It’s like you’re growing up alongside him, experiencing it all with him. He’s telling you his story and you’re along for the ride. Demon is a survivor and the hero of this story, but he’s a different kind of hero. He’s simply trying to live and that can require hero strength at times. He may not possess skills to fly, fight crime, or become invisible, but his power lies in what he sees and comments on. How he sees the world he’s been born into, it’s derogatory name (Hillbilly, Redneck, etc), how where he lives is misunderstood, how they are or aren’t portrayed on TV (mostly not represented, like they don’t exist), choices that were made for them by previous generations, the foster system, trusting those in power to tell the truth. The commentary on life in rural America is eye opening. It creates compassion for a life you didn’t realize was a fight from day one for some of these people. How do you break free when those who are raising you aren’t teaching you how, they are letting you get sucked right into it with them.

If there is one book you read this year, make it Demon Copperhead.