Explore the most thought-provoking Demon Copperhead book club questions here. Barbara Kingsolver‘s masterful novel inspired by Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, character-driven saga with readers talking.
You’ll foster meaningful discussion and get free printable book club questions and a bingo card to use as book club resources at your in-person book club. Get started below.
Quick Demon Copperhead Summary With Themes
An homage to David Copperfield and a statement on modern institutional poverty, this literary fiction book (which can also be called “Grit Lit” and Southern fiction) begins with the unforgettable violent birth of an Appalachian boy to an addicted and single teen mom in their mobile home.
Difficult content makes Demon Copperhead a read that’s extremely slow but utterly worth it. It’s a one-of-a-kind coming-of-age story about Damon Fields, also known as Demon Copperhead, growing up poor, in the foster system, and surrounded by substance abuse, addiction, and death.
Maggot and his mother have been released from prison and live together. Emmy also rehabilitated herself and lives in a halfway house, practicing dance. A sober Demon and Angus are driving together to the ocean.
Demon Copperhead is one of the best book club books of the year. It combines themes of the opioid epidemic in rural America, adversity, community support, the foster system, and childhood poverty, particularly in Lee County, Virginia (Appalachia), to depict a tale of resilience in a region marked by both hardship and beauty.
Watch Barbara Kingsolver discuss the book with Oprah Winfrey on Youtube:
READING TIPS
- Take your time with this book. It’s a slow read, but 100% worth it.
- Utilize my summary of Demon Copperhead and Demon Copperhead character guide to work through the text.
- It’s also a great selection for “Virginia” for those doing a 50 States Reading Challenge.
Demon Copperhead Book Club Questions
Spoiler Alert: There are SPOILERS in the discussion questions below.
Have you read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, the inspiration for Demon Copperhead?
Discuss the similarities and differences between David Copperfield and Demon Copperhead.
Why do you think Kingsolver chose an Appalachian setting?
Does it make a difference that Kingsolver is from Appalachia?
Demon Copperhead was dedicated “For the survivors.” Who do you see as the survivors?
The epigraph quotes this line from David Copperfield: “It’s in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.” Why?
Discuss Demon’s birth sequence and the opening line, “First, I got myself born.”
Discuss the unique voice and detailed characterization of Demon Copperhead.
What kind of research do you think Kingsolver did to write such a nuanced story?
Discuss this quote: “The wonder is that you could start life with nothing, end with nothing, and lose so much in between.”
Discuss the tone of Demon Copperhead.
Discuss the pacing of the Demon Copperhead.
Discuss Kingsolver’s character name choices (examples: Tommy Waddles, Mr. Armstong, Peggott).
Why is Demon Copperhead told (mostly) through the eyes of a child?
Did Demon Copperhead read more like fiction or fact to you?
How long did it take you to read Demon Copperhead, and why do you think that was?
As you read Demon Copperhead the cover art takes on more significance. Discuss it.
Did any of the deaths in Demon Copperhead surprise you?
Discuss the significance of the date of Demon’s mother’s death (his birthday).
Why do you think the death of Demon’s father was a mystery for so much of the novel?
Did you learn anything about addiction?
Did you learn anything about the foster system?
Demon said, “Foster is a cross between prison and dodgeball. What did he mean?”
How did Demon Copperhead make you feel?
Discuss the backstories of the parents in Demon Copperhead (Demon’s, Maggot’s, Emmy’s, Angus’s, Dori’s, etc.).
Discuss the quote: “All of the adults had gone off somewhere and left everything in our hands.”
Discuss the roles of various women in Demon’ Copperhead’s life.
Discuss the role of superheroes in Demon’s life.
Discuss the various Christmases in Demon’s life.
What role did football play in Demon’s life, for better and/or for worse?
Discuss art as a theme in Demon Copperhead.
Discuss friendship and found family as a theme in Demon Copperhead.
How did Demon cope with grief?
How do Demon’s relationships with those in his life change over time?
Compare and contrast urban and rural life in Demon Copperhead.
Discuss water as a theme and symbol in Demon Copperhead.
Discuss Demon’s road to recovery.
Do you personally know anything about Demon’s Melungeon heritage?
Do you think Demon Copperhead would make for a good film adaptation?
Explain the ending of Demon Copperhead.
Why do you think Demon’s story ends where it does?
Why do you think Demon is telling his story at the time he does?
Is Demon ill-fated?
What do you think happens next in Demon’s life?
What does the novel say about capitalism?
Is Demon Copperhead political?
Discuss the differences between “those who leave” and “those who stay.”
Did Demon Copperhead change your thinking in any way?
While Demon Copperhead is fictional, how much truth does it bear to real life?
Why do you think Oprah chose Demon Copperhead for her book club?
Printable Demon Copperhead Reading Guide of the Discussion Questions and Bingo Card
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Subscribe to The Literary Lifestyle’s email newsletter. You’ll get an exclusive, printable PDF book club guide of these questions, a themed bingo card, and book club discussion questions for any book. To facilitate discussion, you can have book club members cross off each square on their card when they discuss that word.
Book Club Ideas For Food and Games
- Eat: Appalachian cuisine, like fried apples, cornbread, and moonshine cocktails.
- Do: Dance like Emmy. Draw like Demon. Go to the ocean!
Book Club Books to Read Next
If you loved these Demon Copperhead book club questions, discuss these at your next meeting:
- James Book Club Questions
- The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store Book Club Quetions
- Hamnet Book Club Questions
- A Gentleman in Moscow Book Club Questions
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
