Demon Copperhead Audiobook By Barbara Kingsolver cover art

Demon Copperhead

A Novel

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Demon Copperhead

By: Barbara Kingsolver
Narrated by: Charlie Thurston
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READ BY ACTOR CHARLIE THURSTON

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 and the recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, 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 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.

Accolades & Awards

Most Popular
Pulitzer Prize
2023
Coming of Age Pulitzer Prize Small Town & Rural Literary Fiction Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Genre Fiction Fiction Funny Tearjerking Village
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Featured Article: Celebrating the Winners of the 2023 Pulitzer Prizes


Honoring excellence in arts and letters, the Pulitzer Prizes are among the most prestigious awards in the United States. This year's highlights included an unusual dual prize for the fiction category, awarded to Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead and Hernan Diaz's Trust, as well as a remarkable biography of George Floyd. This list reflects the works' incredible breadth of scholarship and creativity in audio productions that are spectacular in their own right.

Captivating Narrative • Authentic Portrayal • Emotional Depth • Resilient Protagonist • Masterful Storytelling

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The last few BK books have not been to my taste, so I hesitated on this one. Boy was I wrong! This book is a masterpiece. It’s right up there with Poisonwood Bible. Some people say it’s too sad. What they mean is it’s too realistic. I have family in these mountains. I know this landscape, the physical and emotional. Kingsolver hits both perfectly bringing you the story in a raw but tender way. And this narration is a solid gold 10/10. Kudos to both author and narrator. I laughed. I cried. I got angry. It was everything promised and a lot more.

Wow! It’s a Masterpiece

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Because Barbara Kingsolver tells a story with soul and authenticity. Because for most readers this will take them to a world as alien to them as Mars. And because this boy will remain in your heart forever. The narrator is perfection at bringing the characters to life but, especially, Charlie Thurston inhabits Demon. Don’t miss this chance to walk in his shoes. It’s worth the heartache.

A Must Read for so many reasons

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Such a tragic story that is so beautifully written. The story provides great insights into the terrible opioid crisis that this nation is facing.

Painfully beautiful

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I was as engaged in this book as I was when I read Poisonwood Bible. At times very hard to read, emotionally, but obviously I knew this going in since it is a modern David Copperfield.
I’m taking it as my book club gift exchange book. I highly recommend it.

Engaging

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Wow! I grew up in this region and watched friends who didn’t leave home fall into this gregarious trap of the capitalistic opioid grinder. I’m lucky I never had to go through the climb out of addiction. The reality of it’s trap has changed the landscape of the place I call home. Kingsolver did not pull punches with this book and I think everyone who reads it will be better for the experience.

The harsh reality of Appalachian beauty

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