Salvage the Bones

by Jesmyn Ward
Salvage the Bones cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 728
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781408841310
  • Publisher: A&C Black
  • Published: 2012-12-03
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Set against the impending disaster of Hurricane Katrina, 'Salvage the Bones' follows the Batiste family as they prepare for the storm in their impoverished coastal town. Esch, the 15-year-old protagonist, grapples with her pregnancy while her brothers each face their own struggles, from caring for a dying pit bull litter to seeking independence. The novel captures the raw and poignant dynamics of a family barely holding together, yet fiercely protective of one another. /n/nWith lyrical prose and a Faulkner-esque style, Jesmyn Ward paints a vivid picture of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. The story is not just about surviving a natural disaster but also about the everyday battles of poverty and the enduring power of familial love.

Reviews
Judith McKinnon's Blog · Judith McKinnon · 2023-11-10
engaging 4.00

The plot is compelling as the siblings resort to various escapades to fulfill their ambitions or simply survive. The reviewer finds the narrative engaging and the characters' struggles relatable.

Judith McKinnon found the plot of Salvage the Bones to be incredibly compelling, particularly the way the siblings navigate their desperate situation. She appreciated the characters' resilience and the creative ways they find to cope with their dire circumstances. The reviewer also noted how the impending hurricane adds a sense of urgency and tension to the story, making it a gripping read. McKinnon's review underscores the novel's ability to capture the essence of human perseverance in the face of adversity.

Quick quotes

    The plot is really compelling as the siblings resort to all kinds of escapades to help fulfil their ambitions, or to just get by.

    It's a very engaging narrative that captures the essence of human perseverance in the face of adversity.

    The impending hurricane adds a sense of urgency and tension to the story, making it a gripping read.

The New York Times · 2011-12-30
lyrical 4.50

The novel is taut, wily, and smartly plotted, with voluptuous writing that captures the reader's attention. The reviewer praises the book's lyrical prose and its ability to evoke deep emotions.

The New York Times review describes Salvage the Bones as a taut and wily novel, smartly plotted and written with a voluptuous style that captivates the reader. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the lyrical prose and the way the story evokes deep emotions, making it a memorable read. The novel's exploration of themes such as poverty, resilience, and the human spirit is praised for its depth and authenticity. The reviewer finds the characters' struggles and the impending disaster to be a powerful combination that leaves a lasting impact.

Quick quotes

    A taut, wily novel, smartly plotted and voluptuously written.

    The lyrical prose and the way the story evokes deep emotions make it a memorable read.

    The novel's exploration of themes such as poverty, resilience, and the human spirit is praised for its depth and authenticity.

The Guardian · 2011-12-10
powerful 4.50

The novel portrays the harsh realities of poverty and the resilience of a family facing a natural disaster. The writing is powerful and evocative, capturing the essence of survival and human strength.

This review highlights the raw and unflinching portrayal of poverty and the impending threat of Hurricane Katrina. The reviewer is struck by the lyrical prose and the family's determination to survive against all odds. The novel's setting in the Mississippi backwoods adds a layer of authenticity and grit, making the characters' struggles feel even more poignant. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to blend the beauty of language with the harshness of reality, creating a deeply moving narrative.

Quick quotes

    A powerful second novel that tells the story of a desperately poor family in the Mississippi backwoods as hurricane Katrina approaches.

    The writing is powerful and evocative, capturing the essence of survival and human strength.

    The novel's setting in the Mississippi backwoods adds a layer of authenticity and grit.

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