RaveThe Register-Herald\"As Burns does what she does so well, rearranging those twenty-six letters of the alphabet, with such deftness, she invites us to discard those untruths in order to build something of value, to rebuild what was so sturdy before the pretensions became the cornerstones of what appeared to be solid structures, until they began to crumble. Burns just might be extending an invitation to each of us to remove the blinders that keep us from rebuilding, to embrace the truth of what is happening throughout rural America, and redefining our individual and collective place in America. By doing that, Mercury becomes a testament to the promise of a brighter future; a future that is not afraid to welcome possibilities, to welcome each one of us to claim our \'place at the table.\' It’s a reminder that each of us matters—every single one of us has an offering to bring to that most open table. Are we strong enough to let go of our misguided loyalties and begin again?\
Barbara Kingsolver
RaveVirginia LivingThroughout its nearly 600-page telling, Kingsolver does everything right, so that by the end of the story, it is not difficult to attach the word masterpiece to this novel. The author takes us on a journey with Demon that becomes more real than we’d perhaps like to acknowledge. But in Demon’s world, there is no escaping the brutal realities of life, as he hits one brick wall after another ... Kingsolver tells this story in vivid detail, infusing humor and heartache and love. But perhaps the one thing that attests to Demon’s resilience is his relentless hold on hope. Kingsolver’s palette has room to pen a compendium of stories that highlight recovery. We owe the children that much ... We know all too well the atrocities created from the opioid epidemic. If just the stories of destruction are told, how will we move past the stereotypes and have new stories of recovery—particularly ones from the children who have suffered and who continue to suffer. What Kingsolver does with Demon Copperhead is always the first step: giving voice to the silent, and not so silent, cries for help.
