4 stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I never read the original “David Copperfield,” but you can look up a plot summary online and get everything you need to know. I was concerned that the old-fashioned Horatio Alger myth of a disadvantaged kid pulling himself up by his bootstraps would translate poorly in a modern setting, but I don’t think that’s the story Kingsolver ends up telling at all, and there are plenty of characters whose bad luck and grinding poverty is not something they’re simply able to pull themselves out of by being smart and plucky. The story gives nods to the institutional systems wearing poor Appalachians down, while also highlighting the beauty and kindness of close-knit, rural communities. Despite the length, this book kept me engaged throughout, with three-dimensional characters and a plot that stays on track over the long haul while taking a number of detours as Demon makes his way through the world. Kingsolver’s prose is, as always, a joy to read. Highly recommended.