Enjoy in a bleak Steinbeckian way

almost literally. Barbara Kingsolver (The Poisonwood Bible) was inspired by David Copperfield . Although an “entertainment,” Dickens was also showing the plight of the poor, especially of children caught in poverty, and trying to make his readers care.

“Poor Demon,” she said quietly. “Can’t they find anybody to adopt you?”

1. The Sun and the Star Rick Riordan, Mark Oshiro, Disney Hyperion, $19.99

2. The One and Only Ruby Katherine Applegate, Harper, $19.99

3. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

Judy Blume, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $9.99

4. When You Trap a Tiger Tae Keller, Yearling, $8.99

5. Squished Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

6. School Trip

Jerry Craft, Quill Tree Books, $14.99

7. Allergic Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

8. A Wolf Called Wander Rosanne Parry, Mónica Armiño (Illus.), Greenwillow Books, $7.99

9. Swim Team Johnnie Christmas, HarperAlley, $15.99

10. Bea Wolf Zach Weinersmith, Boulet (Illus.), First Second, $19.99

By Alan Rose

lessons are hard earned: “The wonder is that you could start life with nothing, end with nothing, and lose so much in between.”

Appalachia, child poverty, and the opioid epidemic, so yeah, this was probably never meant to be the feel-good book of the year. But it did receive the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and deservedly so.

The story of Damon, nicknamed Demon, is straight out of Dickens,

Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award (LGBT category.) He can be reached at www.alan-rose.com.

The book opens, “First, I got myself born. A decent crowd was on hand to watch, and they’ve always given me that much: the worst of the job was up to me, my mother being let’s just say out of it.” Demon’s mother is a teenage girl strung out on drugs and unconscious on the floor of their single-wide trailer. His birth will foreshadow his life, “when your parent clocks out before you clock in.”

Growing up with his mom and her current boyfriend in one of those rundown trailers “where old furniture goes to die,” Demon finds small joys in small things, like playing in the muddy creek next to his home. His childhood ends abruptly at 10 when his mother dies of a drug overdose, either accidental or maybe she’d just become tired of surviving, and he’s on his own.

She’d only ever called me Damon before, like Mrs. Peggott and Aunt June, to show she was taking their side. I didn’t want to be poor anybody. But I felt like kissing Emily. Or throwing up, from how mixed up I was. Possibly both. You’d want to do it in the right order, though.

– from Demon Copperfield

You can enjoy this novel in a bleak Steinbeckian way (Remember all those happy Steinbeck endings? Expect bleak.) What saves the book from being a downer is Demon’s voice: sharp, perceptive, unsentimental, and irreverent (he has no time for God since clearly God has no time for him).

As in David Copperfield, Demon has to make his way in a broken world, peopled with memorable characters who either can’t help in spite of wanting to, or who don’t want to. His

A school counselor tells him that he is resilient, and although he doesn’t know what the word means, he is. The reader cheers for him with each advance, weeps for him with each harsh setback, and begins to see through the eyes of the poor, to understand the hopelessness, even the anger and the striking out in despair: “I thought about what Rose said, wanting to see the rest of us hurt, because she was hurting. You have to wonder how much of the world’s turning is fueled by that very fire.”

Ultimately, Kingsolver achieves what Dickens did. She makes us care.

Book Club for Our Time: Both the day group (Kelso Library) and the evening group (Longview Library) have chosen Demon Copperhead to discuss. See dates and times at www.alan-rose.com, or on the libraries’ websites.

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR

Send your non-commercial community event info (name of event, beneficiary, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com

Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to:

Columbia River Reader

1333-14th Ave

Longview, WA 98632

Submission Deadlines

Events occurring:

July 15 - Aug 20 by June 25 for July 15 issue

Sept 15 – Oct 20 by July 25 for Aug 15 issue.

Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, relevance to readers, and space limitations.

See Submission Guidelines below.

Submission Guidelines

Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations.

Items sent to CRR will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

Quilling Exhibit by Heidi Bishop

Reception

June 23, 12–3pm. Alcove Gallery until July 13. 1526 Commerce Ave., Longview, Wash. 9am–3:30pm Monday thru Friday. Heidi’s intricate floral images and storytelling pieces give the viewer a chance to observe her patient, detailed workmanship. This seeminglymagical art form has been around since at least the Renaissance and has enjoyed a resurgence since the 1970s. Community Arts Workshop at CAP is open to all with free materials and classes in a variety of arts media.

Mount St. Helens

Hiking Club

Call leader to join outing or for more info. Non-members welcome.

(E) - Easier: Usually on relatively flat ground (up to 5 miles and/or less than 500 ft. e.g.)

(M) - Moderate: Longer and more elevation gain (over 5 miles and/or over 500 ft. e.g.)

(S) - Strenuous: Long hikes and/or elevation gain (over 8 miles and/or over 1200 ft. e.g.)

June 17 - Saturday Flicker, Towhee, Upper Marquim Hill and Council Crest Trails (M)

Drive 114 miles RT Hike 8 miles out and back with 1,525‘ e.g. Rated a moderate hike due to steady 4-mile uphill trek through forest to Council Crest. Leader: John M. (360) 508-0878

June 21 - Wednesday Summer Solstice Kalama Waterfront Park (E)

Drive 20 miles RT. Celebrate the start of summer and the longest day of the year with a 3 mile walk though town and over to the waterfront on level and paved path along the Columbia River. Leaders: Barbara R. (360) 431-1131

June 24 - Saturday Fossil Creek (S)

Drive 109 miles RT Hike 8 miles RT with 1300’ e.g. through old growth trees spared by the 1980 eruption of Mt St Helens. Views of Goat Mountain. Leaders: Bruce (360) 425-0256

June 28 - Wednesday Lake to Lake Trail Loop via Lacamas Lake (E/M) Drive 120 miles RT Hike 5-6 miles with 500’ e.g. Great trail with wildflowers, birds and waterfalls. Leader: John R. (360) 431-1122

June 30 – Friday Dog Mountain (S)

Drive 200 miles RT Hike 6 miles up and back with 2,700’ e.g. thru old growth forest to a high point that has one of the best views of the Columbia River Gorge. This is a great workout! Leaders: Bill D. (503) 260-6712

July 8 - Saturday Hardy Ridge

Leader: Mary Jane (360) 355 5220

July 15 - Saturday Toutle Trail to Loowit Trail. Leader: Bill D (503) 260 6712

From Page to Stage CRRPress and Friends of Longview Gala Centennial Book Launch & Variety Show. June 30, LCC Rose Center. 7pm. Brownsmead Flats, Tapestry dancers, readings, fun! Details, page 2.

Fundraising Breakfast Hosted by Cowlitz Valley VFW Auxiliary #1045. 9–10:30am. June 10, and the second Saturday every month at the VFW Hall, 4311 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, French toast, toast, coffee, orange juice and water. $7 per person. Proceeds support Veterans programs. Public welcome.

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Public Zoom meetings 2nd Thurs, 6pm. Visitors welcome, instructions, announcements. Program with guest speaker 7pm. For a Zoom link: lcgsgen@yahoo.com.

Longview-Kelso Bridge Club Plays weekly, Monday 10:30am, Thurs 6:30pm. Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 8th Ave., Kelso, near Rotary Spray Park. Free, open to everyone, adults of all ages welcome. Come play, or come watch and see if it looks like fun. Info: Jan, 360-425-0713.

Stella Historical Society Museum reopens July 8, with “Kid’s Day” celebration, 11–4. Fun, old-fashioned games for all ages, museum tours, scavenger hunt. Located at 8530 Ocean Beach Highway (10 miles west of Longview), Free admission; donations always welcome. Hours: 11–4, Sat-Sun through Sept. 2-3.

In the Mood for Summer?

Astoria-based RockFish Blues Band opens Roland’s Winery summer music offerings on Friday, June 16, 6–8pm. The winery is located at 1106 Florida in Longview, Wash