Demon Copperhead

A loose retelling of David Copperfield set in 90s(?) Appalachia.

Well-written, and with a strong narrator, the Dickensian characters are easily recognisable, whilst still working after being updated to the modern setting. The abuses young Demon and his fellow children were subject to felt a little too Victorian, but perhaps they are anchored in some horrible reality. The endless sadness of drug abuse began to wear on me, and had I not previously read David Copperfield, I doubt I’d have enjoyed the book as much. Worth the read.

I started reading this on an international flight and immediately got completely absorbed into its universe -- our universe, filled with the forsaken and despised of impoverished rural Appalachia as the opioid crisis is generated around and through them, another industry (like coal mining before) grinding up an entire culture for private, corrupt gain. I got a bit bogged down in the middle as the pain became hard to stay with, but am really glad I pushed through. By turns hilarious and tragic, Kingsolver rewrites Dickens for the 21st century, reminding us that the social damage done by capitalism scars communities, families, and individuals in ways that we might not see but should not ignore.

Characters you're 'rooting' for throughout. An exposé of the worst societal abuses upon communities and it's impact. Amazingly; hope!