Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Just like DAVID COPPERFIELD was the social commentary of its time, DEMON COPPERHEAD is its successor in every way. Instead of the slums of London we find ourself in the heart of Appalachia where everyone is a cousin or knows one of your cousins and the life expectancy is short and not at all sweet. Demon is born into a tough life that gets tougher when his teenage mom dies leaving him in the foster care system that basically is a front for child slave labor. There is a bright side when a caring art teacher sees great promise in his art and a coach sees football glory and a different path. It is a bumpy path that Demon sets out on filled with a little joy and a lot of sorrow thanks to the opiod epidemic that touches everyone. Even when you feel it is a lost cause you can't stop yourself from hoping that Demon will turn it around. Barbara Kingsolver's coming of age saga is guaranteed to shock and anger you but also open your eyes so that maybe we can be that person who holds out a hand instead of walking away. Readers of GLASS CASTLES, DOPESICK and HILLBILLY ELEGY will find so much to love.  4 1/2 stars