Slate Books
Gabfest Reads: Demon Copperhead
Aug 19, 2023
Barbara Kingsolver, author of Demon Copperhead, talks about Appalachia's exploitation, the complexities of characters, generational trauma, and politics in her novel. She challenges stereotypes, highlights marginalized youth, and aims to inspire compassion between rural and urban communities.
30:03
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Quick takeaways
- 'Demon Copperhead' sheds light on the institutional poverty and cultural suppression faced by the orphans of the opioid epidemic in Appalachia.
- Barbara Kingsolver strategically captures the authentic Appalachian dialect in 'Demon Copperhead' without resorting to misspelling words or using condescending representations.
Deep dives
Storytelling as a Tool for Highlighting Social Issues
Barbara King-Solver discusses her book 'Demon Copperhead' as a recasting of Charles Dickens' 'David Copperfield' that tells the story of a boy growing up in modern Appalachia. The book explores the impact of the opioid epidemic on the community and the historical exploitation of the region by big capital. King-Solver wanted to shed light on the orphans of the epidemic and the lack of support they receive, pointing out the institutional poverty and cultural suppression they face. She draws inspiration from Dickens' approach of using point of view and believes that storytelling with strong characters and a compelling plot is crucial to grab readers' attention.
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