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Demon Copperhead: A Novel

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION

New York Times Readers’ Pick: Top 100 Books of the 21st Century • An Oprah’s Book Club Selection • An Instant New York Times Bestseller • An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller • A #1 Washington Post Bestseller • A New York Times "Ten Best Books of the Year"

"Demon is a voice for the ages—akin to Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield—only even more resilient.” —Beth Macy, author of Dopesick

"May be the best novel of [the year]. . . . Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this is the story of an irrepressible boy nobody wants, but readers will love.” Ron Charles, Washington Post

From the acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees and the recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Lettersa brilliant novel that enthralls, compels, and captures the heart as it evokes a young hero’s unforgettable journey to maturity

Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. Relayed in his own unsparing voice, Demon braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Many generations ago, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield from his experience as a survivor of institutional poverty and its damages to children in his society. Those problems have yet to be solved in ours. Dickens is not a prerequisite for readers of this novel, but he provided its inspiration. In transposing a Victorian epic novel to the contemporary American South, Barbara Kingsolver enlists Dickens’ anger and compassion, and above all, his faith in the transformative powers of a good story. Demon Copperhead speaks for a new generation of lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.

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560 pages

Average rating: 8.44

4,041 RATINGS

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105 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

KKnutzen
Mar 13, 2025
10/10 stars
Although Demon Copperhead was a long, long read, the story itself was entertaining and meaningful. I enjoyed the way the story was told.
kwalk021
Mar 05, 2025
9/10 stars
The book stuck with me for a while after reading. I enjoyed how much it made me think about character even given how devastating it could be at times. With the main character being the narrator you get a true sense of how someone can continue to overlook the continual failures of those around you and also how easily he can fall prey to a situation. This book touches on the struggles of the hands you're dealt with and how much the system can really screw you over. A worthwhile read.
Megpoidprincess
Mar 04, 2025
9/10 stars
Loved it except the ending wasn’t my favourite. Wish I could read it again for the first time
ediehas
Feb 28, 2025
10/10 stars
wow one of my favorite reads of the year. a more modern, american retelling of david copperfield that i enjoyed more than the original story (granted, only watched the movie). don't need to be familiar with the original story to enjoy this book. hilarious and heartbreaking. an investment read (~600 pages) but no part of it felt in need of being cut or edited out. beautifully written story shedding a necessary light on poverty, the foster system, love and loss, and overlooked populations. highly recommended for every type of reader.
lecblocksom
Feb 04, 2025
10/10 stars
Don't tell me Damon is not a real person because he is, he is so many people living through so many things... what a ride it was to read this book!

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