Michele Nuttall and Tracy Burns hold copies of the books for the Book Talk in the Robson Library.
Dianna Lucas
If you enjoyed meeting at 6:30 p.m. for the Friends of the Library Book Talk in March, you will be pleased to learn that the one in May is at 6:30 p.m. also. Deborah Diehl and Elaine Kushmaul will be in the Robson Library on May 1 to lead a discussion of two related books, one current fiction and one classic fiction.
The discussion will compare the similarities between the recent Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver, and the well-known classic David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens.
Kingsolver was inspired to write her book by her years of admiration and devotion to Dickens. She followed his example by letting the child tell the story, because nobody doubts the child. She was awarded the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction for this work.
The similarities in the two novels go beyond the poverty-stricken worlds the authors bring their subjects into at birth and the hardships they endure throughout their lives. Kingsolver borrows character names and builds familiar relationships to those that Dickens used.
Kingsolver exchanges the poverty David experienced in 19th century Victorian England for the 20th century Appalachian poverty in America that Demon finds himself born into. In her updated version, Kingsolver deals with contemporary issues and reminds the reader that the problems inherent with poverty are still with us in today’s world.
You may remember David Copperfield from required reading in a past life. You can refresh your memory by watching one of the movies made of the story. The Robson Library has a DVD of the 1999 version starring a young Daniel Radcliffe as the young David, Maggie Smith as Betsey Trotwood, and Bob Hoskins as Micawber.
If possible, find time to read Demon Copperhead. There are copies in the Robson Library to be checked out. Not only will you be prepared for the Book Talk, you will be treated to an excellent book by a talented author.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library club of Robson Ranch. The organization’s purpose is to give financial support to the library for the purchase of books and other items needed to maintain the library, as well as sponsoring library-related events that are open to all Robson residents.