3.75- I’m really not to sure as to what to make of this book and I’m actually torn between 3.5 and 4 stars, hence the 3.75.
This is the story of a kid who was born to junkie Mom in a trailer and who had to grow up far faster than any child should. Demon (a nickname given to him when he was little) has a big heart and a good soul, but the trials of life from having to move into a foster home on a tobacco farm to another home where he’s treated worse than a dog to a dream scenario that ends as a nightmare. Along the way he discovers drugs and ultimately ends up walking the same path his mother did.
I’m docking a point from this because I hated the ending. That’s all I’m saying about that because, you know, spoilers.
I can see how this won the Pulitzer Award this year because the writing is absolutely beautiful but the substance under the writing leaves a lot to be desired.
This is a gut wrenching story. There were so many moments my heart felt like it was breaking into two and even during Demon’s good moments I was awaiting the fall of the other shoe. It’s hard to enjoy a book when you’re constantly expecting something terrible to happen.
Barbara Kingsolver was inspired to write this because of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. In following Mr. Dickens’ footsteps, Ms. Kingsolver has brought the very real issues of foster care, addicts, and people living below the poverty line front and center, and while I commend her for that there’s not much for her readers to do except feel terrible for those we can’t help.
I’ll definitely read other books written by Ms. Kingsolver because she truly has a gift of giving beauty to words.