Barbara Kingsolver’s epic deep dive into America’s 1980’s opioid crisis through the eyes of one young man is an achievement to be applauded.

Taking Charles Dickens’ classic novel David Copperfield as it’s inspiration and broad structure, Demon Copperhead follows the fortunes of Damon Fields from a childhood of poverty and social care, through to a darker adulthood of crime and addiction. As he struggles to survive and carve out a life for himself in the backwaters of Virginia USA, he maintains his own code of ethics to navigate a difficult life.

Perhaps best known for her celebrated novels such as The Poisonwood Bible and Flight Behaviour, Barbara Kingsolver initially seems unlikely to give us a grim and gritty novel about drug addiction, sex and violence in the 80’s. What she achieves here though, is something that feels true and unflinching without being patronising. Her grasp of character is so deft that we root for ‘Demon’ all the way through the adversity he faces, and each supporting player he meets feels fully rounded and realised. What so easily could be sensationalised is treated with thoughtfulness and respect, with the invisible thread of Dickens’ storytelling steering the plot forwards.

Although at times not a comfortable read, Demon Copperhead is immensely fulfilling and highly readable – entirely deserving of it’s place on this year’s Women’s Prize shortlist.

(Review by Cliff)