Yes, fair comment. I was really enjoying reading the book and I’m three quarters of the way through. I don’t know whether it’s my bias towards Dickens, or the fact that it won the Pulitzer Prize whilst being so closely aligned with a classic novel that has me so out of kilter. The writing is brilliant, and I’m in awe of Kingsolver’s skill in the craft.
I’m open to discussion on this and am genuinely looking for opinions from others. When I saw that ALL of the characters were lifted from the original, with only nominal changes made to the names it felt, to me, like a brilliant and clever cut and paste, as opposed to a unique creative work. Have you read David Copperfield? Is it even necessary to do so? I wish I didn’t know the book’s provenance. I want the book to stand on its own, without reference to Dickens. And I may be missing the point. Hence the post.
Yes, fair comment, and I loved reading it it up to this point. I don’t know whether it’s my bias against Dickens, or frustration at it winning the Pulitzer when it’s so closely aligned with a classic novel that has me so out of kilter. Have you read DavidCopperfield? Is it even necessary to have done so? ALL the characters are from that book with only nominal changes made.
I’m open to discussion on this, but was completely blindsided by the discovery.
I’m reading Demon Copperhead and I’ve only just realised that it’s based on David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Somehow, I feel cheated. I hated Dickens in school - melodramatic claptrap - but it does explain the ‘serial’ feel of the book. It’s a clever book, the characters are credible, going beyond characterisation (another of my pet Dickens’ peeves.) And the writing is beautiful, wonderful imagery etc.
I know there’s nothing new under the sun and all tales are variations on a theme. This book, though, barely even changes the characters’ names.
I’m so disappointed. I don’t know what to think. And I’ve lost interest in finishing the book. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?
I’m reading Demon Copperhead and I’ve only just realised that it’s based on David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Somehow, I feel cheated. I hated Dickens in school - melodramatic claptrap - but it does explain the ‘serial’ feel of the book. It’s a clever book, the characters are credible, going beyond characterisation (another of my pet Dickens’ peeves.) And the writing is beautiful, wonderful imagery etc.
I know there’s nothing new under the sun and all tales are variations on a theme. This book, though, barely even changes the characters’ names.
I’m so disappointed. I don’t know what to think. And I’ve lost interest in finishing the book. Have you read it? What are your thoughts? #books #PulitzerPrize #lazywriting #writers