Kirti Mutatkar and Anagha Bapat discuss Barbara Kingsolver's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a modern retelling of "David Copperfield" set in Appalachia. The Story: Demon Copperhead is born into poverty in rural Virginia to a drug-addicted mother. The novel follows his journey through multiple foster homes and into the opioid crisis. Despite his intelligence and artistic talent, Demon faces systemic failures at every turn—from exploitative tobacco farms to a football career cut short by injury and prescription drug addiction. Key Themes: Broken Foster Care - Older children trapped in an overwhelmed system with caseworkers too stretched to help Opioid Crisis - How prescription drugs, not moral failing, create addiction when doctors, coaches, and systems all push pills Timeless Poverty - Dickens' 200-year-old themes remain unchanged from Victorian England to modern Appalachia Art as Survival - Demon's superhero drawings give him power and escape when he has none Simple Dreams - His goal to see the ocean represents hope despite overwhelming trauma The Narrator's Voice: Kingsolver's choice to have Demon tell his own story—"this is how I remember it" as a young kid—creates intimate, conversational reading. He foreshadows, then pulls back, making readers feel he's talking directly to them. Connections: Parallels to JD Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy," "Dopesick" series, and "Empire of Pain" book exploring the opioid crisis and Appalachian struggles. KBC Book Radar: Brain Fizz Factor: 4.5/5 - Stays with you long after reading; Anagha has recommended it to multiple people Bookshelf Worthy: 4.3-4.5/5 - "I'll lend it, but I need it back" Notable: The audiobook's Southern accent divided readers. Both agreed the book probably shouldn't be a movie—Demon's intimate narration would lose its power on screen. A powerful read exposing systemic failures while celebrating human resilience and the simple dreams that sustain us. Credits: Host and Creator: Kirti Mutatkar Guest: Anagha Bapat Show Editor: Aniket Mutatkar Logo & Design: Smitha Rau