Demon Copperhead

De: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrado por: Charlie Thurston

**A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**

A masterful recasting of David Copperfield, narrated by an Appalachian boy whose wise, unwavering voice relates his encounters with poverty, addiction, institutional failures and moral collapse-and his efforts to conquer them. - the Pulitzer

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION
TWICE WINNER OF THE WOMEN'S PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE FOR FICTION
THE MULTI-MILLION COPY SELLING AUTHOR
BOOK AT BEDTIME ON BBC RADIO 4
AN OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB PICK
WITH OVER 29,000 5* REVIEWS

'Extraordinary.' OPRAH
'She means to save us by telling us stories. . . She comes closer than anyone else I know.' ANN PATCHETT
'Electrifying. . . Every sentence here sizzles. ' Daily Mail
'It's EPIC. Righteously angry, DEEPLY moving and exquisitely written.' MARIAN KEYES

____________
Demon Copperhead is a once-in-a-generation novel that breaks and mends your heart in the way only the best fiction can.

Demon's story begins with his traumatic birth to a single mother in a single-wide trailer, looking 'like a little blue prizefighter.' For the life ahead of him he would need all of that fighting spirit, along with buckets of charm, a quick wit, and some unexpected talents, legal and otherwise.

In the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, poverty isn't an idea, it's as natural as the grass grows. For a generation growing up in this world, at the heart of the modern opioid crisis, addiction isn't an abstraction, it's neighbours, parents, and friends. 'Family' could mean love, or reluctant foster care. For Demon, born on the wrong side of luck, the affection and safety he craves is as remote as the ocean he dreams of seeing one day. The wonder is in how far he's willing to travel to try and get there.

Suffused with truth, anger and compassion, Demon Copperhead is an epic tale of love, loss and everything in between.

'Legit about to get an 'I'd rather be reading Demon Copperhead' sticker for my Nissan Murano.' ROB DELANEY

©2022 Barbara Kingsolver (P)2022 Faber & Faber

Audible version tough to get through!

An exceptional writer and interesting spin on David Copperfield. The narration, however, is exceptionally annoying to listen to for an extended period of time.

Another winner!

This is a book both relevant and insightful.
It was a rollercoaster of a ride but worth going on

Timely. A great read.

The characters jumped off the pages. Never a slump. The ending felt a bit rushed, but still a winner.

Captivating.

Great story, full of grit and hope. Couldn’t put it down, loved it!
Great book for a book club.

Story of childhood trauma and drug abuse

A deeply moving story, that places you in the mind of a young teenager and young adult who is the result of a drug home and the resulting drug addiction.
Although a heavy topic, it was beautifully written and I became very involved in the story.

Thank you Barbara

If your looking for a book to fall into then I absolutely recommend this novel.
Charlie Thurston was perfect as the narrator.
I will miss Demon and his sense of humour a lot.

Magnificent!

Wonderfully immersive story - I’m a big fan of Charles Dickens and it really is Dickensian. The narrator is a superstar, perfect throughout!

Best Kingsolver book by far

I have read almost all Barbara Kingsolver books and everyone has their favourite. Mine use to be the Poisonwood Bible. But there is maturity and depth of quality in this prose and unique rural people and attachment to the land and culture that draws you in to the sad and equally hope story.

Broke my heart in the most beautiful way

Magnificent. Listened to the whole 20-ish hours in just 3 days.

Right from the outset your heart will be with Damon; Kingslover’s ability to grow your empathy for the plight of those in our world often dismissed and laughed at is compassionate, masterful and (thankfully!) void of condescension.

My Australian ears were worried I’d be able to take the accent, but that was forgotten within minutes and I felt rightly chastised for the subconscious bias that led to that initial reaction within hours.

A stunning and poetic look at big political and sociology-economic issues in a form normally reserved for polemics.

Left it feeling better educated, more enlightened, and that the cracks it gave my heart have opened it, not shattered it. A true joy - a heartbreaker, yes- but still a true joy.

Wow!

This is a story that will break your heart! All the more for feeling as if it is probably the story of many a real child…read so beautifully too, that accent made the character just come alive.