Welcome to our special crossover episode for Appalachian Bookshelf, a joint project between Read Appalachia and Appodlachia.

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Things Mentioned

• Interview with Barbara Kingsolver on the Australian podcast The Book Show: “Barbara Kingsolver finds the hillbilly in Charles Dickens”
• Appodlachia’s Episode about the Foster Care System
• Foster (documentary)
• Not Your Average IV User (podcast)

Books Mentioned

• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Discussion Questions

• What are your initial thoughts on the book?
• What are your initial thoughts on Demon as a narrator?
• What did we think of the times when Kingsolver “steps in”, as it were?
  • What are your feelings on Barbara Kingsolver’s discussion of the word “hillbilly” starting on page 68?
• What are your thoughts on the portrayal of social workers and foster care portrayed in the book?
• We have allread different nonfiction books about the opioid crisis in Appalachia. What do we think of the portrayal of addiction and recovery in this novel?
• Now that we have discussed the book, who do you think this book is for?
• Would you recommend this book?

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Contact
For feedback or to just say “hi,” you can reach us at readappalachia[at]gmail.com


Music by Olexy from Pixabay