I’ve always been a fan of Kate Atkinson and
this was one of my favorites. What initially grabbed my attention was the 1920s
setting in London.
After reading the novel, I so much better understood what it
must have been like following the First World War—the frenzied times. The
details of place, dress, and manner of speaking are all perfectly described.
Atkinson’s ability to recreate that era allowed me to swiftly be transported.
But once I’d gotten to know the several main characters, they became—not
characters—but real people, for better or worse.
Nellie Coker, the matriarch,
is truly unforgettable! I found myself waking up in the middle of the night
wondering about the degree of her criminality, as well as that of a few others
in the tale.
'Atkinson on her finest form. A marvel of plate-spinning narrative knowhow, a peak performance of consummate control.' OBSERVER
'This is the perfect novel for uncertain times.' THE TIMES
'I can think of few writers other than Dickens who can match it' SUNDAY TIMES
'Brilliant' RICHARD OSMAN
'Kate Atkinson is simply one of the best writers working today, anywhere in the world' GILLIAN FLYNN
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1926, and in a country still recovering from the Great War, London has become the focus for a delirious new nightlife. In the clubs of Soho, peers of the realm rub shoulders with starlets, foreign dignitaries…
My favorite novels are the ones that not only
take me into a character’s world, but those that allow me to see—almost with
their eyes.
Demon Copperhead is exceptional in this regard. I was especially
curious to see if Demon put me in mind of Charles Dickens’ unforgettable
character, David Copperfield. While it’s been many years since I read David
Copperfield, I can definitely see a comparison between the two characters, as
well as the worlds they inhabit. Both are survivors despite the dire poverty of
their early years.
It was fascinating to see how Kingsolver re-imagined the 19th-century book. In retrospect, I wish I had re-read Dickens’ classic after
reading Kingsolver’s, though both are lengthy, complex tomes. I loved the
intricacy of Kingsolver’s plot as we follow Demon from early childhood through
early manhood.
Demon Copperhead is truly unforgettable and
emotionally very stirring. Despite its length, I found it hard to put it down
after finishing it!
Demon's story begins with his traumatic birth to a single mother in a single-wide trailer, looking 'like a little blue prizefighter.' For the life ahead of him he would need all of that fighting spirit, along with buckets of charm, a quick wit, and some unexpected talents, legal and otherwise.
In the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, poverty isn't an idea, it's as natural as the grass grows. For a generation growing up in this world, at the heart of the modern opioid crisis, addiction isn't an abstraction, it's neighbours, parents, and friends. 'Family' could mean love, or reluctant foster…
Despite the complexities of the main
character’s situation—raising a daughter alone in Japan, and having to make
ends meet on a tight budget—Jessie is not only assisted by friends, but also a
couple of kind strangers, when she decides to re-open the Butterfly Café—a café
she has inherited.
I kept wondering what was going to happen next. At first, I
thought the tone would be serious, the gravitas overarching, but it curiously
wasn’t. Jessie manages to provide a loving home to her daughter.
The dialogue is credible, and the
pacing—perfect. The book also paints a good picture of modern day Japan, along
with insight into the country’s rich history. It is truly life-affirming. An
insightful and fascinating read!
Set in modern-day Tokyo, The Butterfly Café tells the story of American Jessie Yamada. When her emotionally-abusive husband suddenly dies in a traffic accident, she is overcome with guilt because while making plans to leave him, she had often thought how much easier it would be for her if he were dead. Those feelings quickly shift to shock and anger after discovering her entire marriage had been built upon secrets and lies. Jessie unexpectedly inherits a dilapidated café full of cats, where with the help of old friends and quirky neighbors, she constructs a new life for herself and her…
From a poor family in the neighborhood of Corktown, Catherine learned early on the necessity of being resilient. She becomes one of the first women in Detroit to obtain a law degree. Bob, the 'battling barrister,' boxes to pay for law school. Despite his gruff and tough-boy personality, he's a friend to all: judges, cops, and even members of the notorious Purple Gang. The couple becomes legendary in legal circles for their commitment to social justice causes—and notorious in the local speakeasies and dance halls.
At first, their optimism seems boundless, as it had for many following an era of trauma and challenges that included the 1918 flu pandemic. It isn't long before their passionate courtship turns into a tempestuous marriage. Then the Great Depression hits and their lives are forever changed.
