I read The Poisonwood Bible a long time ago, but I recalled it being based on Kingsolver’s childhood experience living in Sub-Saharan Africa. So I was surprised to learn she’s recently written another novel about growing up poor in rural Appalachia, and that it was inspired by her distaste for JD Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy.
‘I’ve dealt with anti-hillbilly bigotry all my life’: Barbara Kingsolver on JD Vance, the real Appalachia and why Demon Copperhead was such a hit
As the Pulitzer-winning author’s little-known first book is published in the UK, she discusses the roots of division in the US, her wild childhood, and putting the story straight about where she’s from
theguardian.com