Bestsellers & Brews

Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver

Listen Later
Episode Overview

In this episode, TS analyzes Barbara Kingsolver's award-winning novel Demon Copperhead, a modern reimagining of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield set in Appalachia during the opioid crisis. This Pulitzer Prize and Women's Prize-winning bestseller follows a red-headed boy born to a teenage mother as he navigates poverty, foster care, addiction, and ultimately finds his voice through art.

Key Topics Covered
  • The premise and characters of Demon Copperhead
  • Parallels to Charles Dickens' David Copperfield
  • The portrayal of the opioid crisis in Appalachian communities
  • The foster care system and its failures
  • Demon's compelling narrative voice and sardonic humor
  • Structural and symbolic elements that could be improved
  • The power of art as a means of processing trauma
  • Craft discussion: Kingsolver's exposition techniques and character development
    • Timestamps
    • 10:55 - Spoiler Warning & Detailed Analysis Begins
      • Drink Pairing

      The Copperhead - A simple but impactful drink inspired by Demon's copper-colored hair and Appalachian roots.

      Alcoholic version:

      • 2 oz bourbon
      • 1 oz apple cider
      • Splash of cinnamon syrup
      • Garnish with apple slice

        • Non-alcoholic version:

        • 2 oz apple cider
        • 1 oz ginger ale
        • Dash of cinnamon
        • Garnish with apple slice
          • Next Up

          Coming soon: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

          Join Our Community!

          Be part of our reading community! Join our Facebook group

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Bestsellers & BrewsBy Tang Seng
          • 3.3
          • 3.3
          • 3.3
          • 3.3
          • 3.3

          3.3

          3 ratings

          More shows like Bestsellers & Brews

          View all
          The Book Review by The New York Times

          The Book Review

          3,919 Listeners

          Mamamia Out Loud by Mamamia Podcasts

          Mamamia Out Loud

          651 Listeners

          Up First from NPR by NPR

          Up First from NPR

          56,821 Listeners

          Bad On Paper by Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter

          Bad On Paper

          4,107 Listeners

          KidNuz: News for Kids by Starglow Media

          KidNuz: News for Kids

          1,662 Listeners

          Bookcited!: A Libraries NI podcast for all things library by Libraries NI

          Bookcited!: A Libraries NI podcast for all things library

          1 Listeners

          So Approachable by So Approachable Podcast

          So Approachable

          12 Listeners