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Hailed as 'a brilliantly paced adventure' by The Times and lauded for its 'fresh and urgent' prose by the New York Times, Jesmyn Ward's National Book Award-winning novel 'Salvage the Bones' is a tour de force of Southern literature. With echoes of Faulkner in her grand diction, Ward weaves a gripping tale set against the backdrop of an impending Hurricane Katrina.
In the coastal town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi, fifteen-year-old Esch and her three brothers face the looming storm with trepidation. Their father, a hard-drinking and oft-absent figure, shows rare concern as the family scrambles to stockpile meagre provisions. Amidst this chaos, Esch grapples with an unexpected pregnancy, while her brother Skeetah tends to his prized pit bull's dwindling litter. Randall and Junior, the other siblings, navigate their roles in a household long on childish diversions but short on parental guidance.
Over twelve intense days, Ward masterfully chronicles the struggles of this motherless family, bound by sacrifice and resilience in the face of scarcity. Their unwavering spirit and fierce loyalty shine through as they confront both natural disaster and personal tribulations.
Critics have showered 'Salvage the Bones' with accolades, with the Washington Post declaring it 'masterful' and imbued with 'the aura of a classic'. The Daily Mail praises Ward's powerful depiction of grinding poverty, highlighting how filial affection and community spirit triumph over adversity. This unforgettable narrative offers a poignant exploration of family bonds, survival, and hope in the most challenging circumstances.
Book ISBN: | 9781408897720 |
Book Author: | Jesmyn Ward |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
Book Publisher: | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
Book Dimensions: | 129 x 197 x 20 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2017-11-30 |
Book Pagination: | 272 pages |
Book Weight: | 194g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
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