2024 the best fiction books of 2023 review

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(as of Dec 08, 2024 21:38:09 UTC - Details)

WINNER OF THE 2023 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION
A New York Times "Ten Best Books of 2022 * An Oprah's Book Club Selection * An Instant New York Times Bestseller * An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller * A #1 Washington Post Bestseller
"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 2022. . . . 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 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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ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09QMHZ53K
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper (October 18, 2022)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 18, 2022
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5839 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 556 pages
Reviewer: Mark Stevens
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Copperhead Road
Review: In an interview with Ezra Klein on his podcast, Barbara Kingsolver said she wanted to write “the great Appalachian novel.” She conceded, however, that the notion “probably sounds ridiculous.”In particular, Kingsolver said she wanted to write about the fact that the people who live in Appalachia “are the most resourceful Americans you’re probably going to find anywhere.” Kingsolver, who was raised in rural Kentucky and now lives in rural Virginia, said she wanted to explore the shame she had internalized from her choice of a place to live.“How many people well-meaning people have asked me, ‘how could I live there in the middle of nowhere?’” said Kingsolver. “People, this is my everywhere. This is my everything.”Later in the chat: “Everybody looks down on the country people and the country people sort of absorb that. You can’t help but absorb it. So when I set out to write my great Appalachian novel. I was paralyzed with self-doubt because, I mean, my starting point was that I wanted to write about the opioid epidemic, which is become a huge assault on our culture, our families, our communities. It’s devastated so many of the good things about this region that we value and that we love. And so I wanted to write about these kids who’ve been damaged and this place that’s been damaged, and it seemed like a really hopelessly sad story. Plus, it’s about people that I didn’t feel the outer world cared about. And so I just really, I spent a couple of years walking around and around this story, trying to figure out how to break into that house because I really felt sure nobody wants to read it.”Well, Kingsolver was wrong. At least, she was wrong about the interest in her topic—not her take on the people of Appalachia. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and 85,000+ ratings on Amazon (4.6 stars).There’s so much to like about Demon Copperhead but one of the main things is that it’s so breezily readable. For a 546-page epic, it goes down fast. It’s episodic, a la Dickens, but the character flow is organic, unforced. Demon’s voice is engaging and his struggles are real, particularly when it comes to the challenges of the foster care system and the brutality of OxyContin addictions. Kingsolver’s empathy for addicts comes pouring out of the story. She is non-judgmental, plays it straight.Here is Demon, somewhat early on, looking back on the power of addiction: “I had roads to travel before I would know it’s not that simple, the dope versus the person you love. That a craving can ratchet itself up and up inside a body and a mind, at the same time that body’s strength for tolerating is favorite drug goes down and down. That the longer you’ve gone hurting between fixes, the higher the odds that you’ll reach too hard for the stars next time. That first big rush of relief could be your last. In the long run, that’s how I’ve come to picture Mom at the end: reaching as hard as her little body would stretch, trying to touch the blue sky, reaching for some peace.”That’s as good a passage about the feeling of addiction, and a description of its power, that I’ve ever read. (Kingsolver also read that section on Klein’s podcast.)Kingsolver is a deceiving writer. Her style is unassuming and keen-eyed. The text is full of specificity. And energy. If you have any doubts about tackling this book because it looks too heavy, squash those notions. Here’s the beginning of Chapter 34:“A lot of firsts that school year. First scrimmage, first JV game, first tackle, first passing yards made. First school dance, with an eighth-grader girl that was dead serious about it. So, my first real date, evidently. Angus and Sax went together dressed as Planet of the Apes, loser of their grade contest (Sax) being the human on a leash. This is Homecoming mind you, not Halloween, so. Not a date. But Angus took mine over, ordered the corsage from Walmart, took me to Goodwill where we found this dope white suit from the sixties. In my size, unbelievable. I’ve grown into my hands and feet by this point, and I’m pushing 6 feet. Thank you, Mattie Kate.”Mattie Kate is the housekeeper who worked for football Coach Wingate, where Demon lived while he was being developed as a potential football star. There are plenty of characters to keep track of, but Kingsolver gives them juicy nicknames (again, a la Dickens) or colorful descriptions so they are easy to track. U-Haul. Fast Forward. Waddles. Mouse. If you know David Copperfield (it’s been decades since I read it) you’ll have a great time with what Kingsolver did with her names. For instance, Uriah Heep becomes Ryan Pyles.The “resourcefulness” of Demon is apparent in his stubborn ability to survive. He’s smarter than he acknowledges, and very observant. In Demon Copperhead, bad things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people, too. Many around Demon are not so fortunate and literally or metaphorically drown. You can’t help but think about the failure of our institutions around child welfare, the foster care system, adult welfare, and drug abuse. But Demon finds his talent, develops a passion, and puts it to use. Hello, the power of art. And love. Every great novel, and this is one, is a love story in the end.Demon Copperfield was written with passion for Kingsolver’s very personal reasons. The execution is a thing of beauty—and something we can all admire.

Reviewer: ReadsALot
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Vivid Tale of Resilience: Demon Copperhead with a Caveat
Review: Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead, a modern take on Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, is a powerful and evocative novel. While the story resonated with me on a personal level, I do want to address a potential drawback for some readers.Strengths:Vivid Setting and Characters: Kingsolver's Appalachia is beautifully rendered, transporting you to the heart of this rural community. The characters, especially Demon Copperhead himself, are well-developed and memorable. You'll find yourself invested in their struggles and triumphs.Modern Twist on a Classic: Fans of Dickens' David Copperfield will appreciate the familiar themes and plot points, reimagined for a contemporary setting. It's a fresh take on a beloved story.Powerful Exploration of Social Issues: Kingsolver tackles relevant issues like poverty, addiction, and the struggles of the working class. It's a thought-provoking read that sheds light on the challenges faced by many in America today.A Note on Content:Mature Content: It's important to acknowledge that the book contains some sexual content that might be inappropriate for younger readers or readers who prefer to avoid such material. While these scenes contribute to the overall story, they might be off-putting for some.Overall Recommendation:If you're looking for a well-written story with a strong sense of place and relatable characters, then Demon Copperhead is definitely worth considering. However, be mindful of the mature content if that's a concern for you. Despite the caveat, Kingsolver's beautiful prose and exploration of social issues make this a compelling read for many.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer2
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Heartbreaking & Fantastic
Review: Title of Review: Heartbreaking & FantasticTitle: Demon CopperheadAuthor: Barbara KingsolverDate Purchased: 14 June 2023Amount Paid: $15.99Page number: 556 pagesGenre: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Coming of AgeDate of Review: 29 July 2024Winner of Pulitzer Prize for Fiction: 2023This was a book I read for my local book club.Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, Demon Copperhead tells the story of a boy born to a teenage single mother in a single-wide trailer. With no assets beyond his deceased father's good looks and copper-colored hair, a sharp wit, and a fierce survival instinct, Demon navigates the modern challenges of foster care, child labor, failing schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and devastating losses. Narrated in his own unflinching voice, Demon grapples with his invisibility in a culture that has largely abandoned rural communities. Inspired by Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, which drew from Dickens' own experiences with institutional poverty, Barbara Kingsolver transposes a Victorian epic to the contemporary American South. She channels Dickens' anger, compassion, and faith in storytelling's transformative power to give voice to a new generation of lost boys and those born into beautiful yet cursed places they can't imagine leaving.I think Kingsolver did a great job of telling the stories of damaged kids. I loved this book. Though it was hard to read in places—heartbreaking and sad—it was also heartwarming. The writing was superb, and the story captivated me from start to finish. It examined critical social issues while educating and showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

Reviewer: melinda
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Barbara Kingsolver is an exceptional author. The way she is able to weave a beautiful tale and bring the reader into the kind and circumstance of a character is magical. This is one of her best books. I could not put it down. I worked for years with trouble youth and this book is so accurate and so poignant to the real lived experience of the characters, it was haunting at times. These characters are going to stay with me for a very long time.

Reviewer: Stephany andrews
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I want to finish reading but I only received four chapters on this device.

Reviewer: cc87
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Ok

Reviewer: Sarah.m
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Demon Copperhead is a dark, challenging, and utterly addictive novel that pulls readers into the raw, unforgiving reality of addiction, poverty, and survival. Following the life of Demon, a boy born into bleak circumstances but endowed with a fierce sense of resilience.The story is unflinchingly honest, shining a harsh light on the devastation caused by addiction, not just for the addicts themselves but for everyone around them. As Demon navigates life through a broken foster care system, each chapter presents a heartbreaking picture of neglect, abuse, and desperation. What makes the novel utterly compelling is Demon himself. His voice is sharp, funny, and deeply human, resilience amidst overwhelming despair. Despite the crushing weight of his environment and the near-impossibility of breaking free from the cycle of poverty and addiction, Demon's determination to survive, his capacity to love, and his hope for something better make him an unforgettable character. His journey through a string of toxic homes and heartbreaking relationships feels painfully real, but it's also filled with moments of unexpected beauty and raw human connection.I simply could not put it down and is by far the best book I've read in a long long time.

Reviewer: ulrike herbrik
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Toll geschrieben