Demon Copperhead

A Novel

By: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by: Charlie Thurston

Length: 21 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

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, a 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 listeners 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.

©2022 Barbara Kingsolver (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Best book I’ve read in years

Barbara Kingsolver’s greatest book to date, which is quite an achievement for an author who consistently treats her readers to beautifully-written tales of people and nature. Demon Copperhead manages to surpass Poisonwood Bible in its breadth, wisdom, compelling characters and (no doubt) the most research on a dizzying number of topics, historical and contemporary. Kingsolver is an American literary giant. The audible version add an extra level of enjoyment. The narration is perfect. It adds flavor to the book that, unless you’re from Appalachia, you’d miss. I’m glad I listened to this book. I’m sorry it ended. It’s beautiful and violent, horrifying and tender. You can’t help but fall in love with the protagonist (written in first person), a young boy experiencing the worst kinds of life, from poor orphan in abusive foster care systems to an athletic star until he can’t play anymore and is criminally fed the most addictive opioids until he sinks as low as he can and fights his way back into life. When you finish this book, you’ll have a new appreciation to the mountain rednecks and you’ll be furious at the system that has abused them, then turned them into the butt of the national jokes. I could go on. I could write a book about this book. It needs to be read, then studied, and absolutely earn a Pulitzer or a Nobel. Or both. It should be required reading in high school English AP classes and in universities. Stop me before I start gushing.

Narration was perfect

The narrator was made for this book! He did such a great job and I don’t think I would’ve liked the book half as much of I had read it on my own. There were parts that were really sad and hard to hear- I cried, I laughed, and I really enjoyed it all around.

Excellent writing and more true to life than you want to believe

The audible was the best I have EVER listened to. This book will stay with me for a long long time!

My oh my

Extraordinary story, masterful storytelling, insightful on a powerful level. And the ending… I cried with joy.

Exquisite Story Telling

What a painful, emotional listen. The characters are so well written they leap from the story and filter into your dreams. The story breaks your heart at every turn, even knowing its the Copperfield legend and what is likely to follow, I needed to take frequent breaks from the story to let my soul mend. This one should be required reading. Kingsolver is such a talent. This book certainly continues her legacy. Deserving of the Pulitzer.

The Narration could not have been better. Just outstanding.

Pulitzer Worthy!

If I could vote, she’d win. Also, Charlie Thurston as narrator of this book made it one of the most enjoyable listens from Audible - EVER! I’d put him right up there with Will Patton.

Brilliant in every way

Brilliant story & social observation
I loved every word and listened almost continuously to finish - narrator was superb

So sad I finished it!

Wonderful, poignant story told by a narrator whose voice I will miss on a daily basis now that I've finished the book. I highly recommend!

Anti depressants required

If you have a lot of anti depressants or need a story to make you feel good about your life this book is for you. While it’s accurate it’s not going to make you happy and joyful. Definitely a glass empty story.

This is my favorite Audible book in years of listening

Another reviewer said” hilarious and heartbreaking” and that is the perfect description. Although the subject matter is depressing, I laughed out loud continuously. Our family experienced a death in Atlanta with a story much like the crack house in Atlanta but I still learned from Demon’s story. I do not know how Barbara Kingsolver researched her stories but she is masterful and every adult in America should read this story. Charlie Thurston is an incredible actor and the perfect reader for this book. I listened to the last few chapters a second time as you need to listen intently to comprehend the message. Happy Listening. Demon Copperhead is worth every minute.