After the Dragons
Cover of Demon Copperhead

Literary

Demon Copperhead

by Barbara Kingsolver

4.4 out of 5, from 823 ratings from Hardcover readers

A boy born in a trailer in Appalachian Virginia tells his own story. Foster homes, football, drugs and a failing community shape his rough road to adulthood.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2022
Pace
Medium
Length
Long
Pages
556
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you like a big, bruised, funny narrator and want to read about the opioid crisis from the inside.

Skip this if you cannot face a book where children are neglected and mistreated, or a long run of hard luck.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Addiction
  • Abuse
  • Domestic violence
  • Death
  • Grief

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Drug abuse
  • Drug use
  • Death of parent
  • Child abuse
  • Domestic abuse
  • Bullying
  • Toxic relationship

Quick answers about Demon Copperhead

What is Demon Copperhead about?
A boy born in a trailer in Appalachian Virginia tells his own story. Foster homes, football, drugs and a failing community shape his rough road to adulthood.
Who should read Demon Copperhead?
Read it if you like a big, bruised, funny narrator and want to read about the opioid crisis from the inside. Skip it if you cannot face a book where children are neglected and mistreated, or a long run of hard luck.
How long and how fast is Demon Copperhead?
It is a medium-paced, long read of about 556 pages, first published in 2022.
Does Demon Copperhead have content warnings?
Content we flag: Addiction, Abuse, Domestic violence, Death, Grief.
Can I borrow Demon Copperhead for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Demon Copperhead; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Demon Copperhead?
Readers who liked it often move on to David Copperfield, The Grapes of Wrath, Where the Crawdads Sing.

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