Demon Copperhead, a review

“Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver is a literary ride that takes you through the life of a boy named Damon, born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer in Lee County, Virginia. The novel is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’s “David Copperfield”, connecting the present to the past, combining cultures, and adapting Dickens’s mission of using literature to hold a mirror up to society.

The story is both hilarious and heartbreaking, filled with witty remarks and snarky comments that will have you chuckling one moment and tearing up the next. Kingsolver’s writing style is as sharp as a tack, and her characters are as colorful as a box of crayons left in the sun.

The protagonist, Damon, or “Demon” as he’s nicknamed, navigates through life with a caustic wit and a fierce talent for survival. His journey is filled with systemic failures of American institutions but also celebrates the resiliency of the individual spirit. As Demon himself puts it, “The wonder is that you could start life with nothing, end with nothing, and lose so much in between”.

However, while Kingsolver’s storytelling is commendable, the novel does fall into some clichéd pitfalls. The narrative often feels like it’s trying too hard to be edgy and gritty, resulting in some scenes that feel more like caricatures than genuine depictions of life. For instance, Demon’s mother overdoses on oxycontin, which feels like an overused trope in stories about struggling families.

Moreover, while the novel attempts to critique institutional poverty and its damaging effects on children, it sometimes falls short in providing a nuanced exploration of these issues. The portrayal of social workers and foster care systems is particularly one-dimensional, painting them as universally neglectful and incompetent.

In conclusion, “Demon Copperhead” is an ambitious novel that offers a fresh perspective on societal issues through the lens of a young boy’s life. While it has its flaws, Kingsolver’s sharp wit and engaging storytelling make it a worthwhile read. As Demon wisely observes, “a good story doesn’t just copy life, it pushes back on it”. And indeed, “Demon Copperhead” pushes back on life in more ways than one.