Salvage the Bones
by Jesmyn Ward
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward holds a well received rating of 3.81 out of 5, based on 18.5K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 261 pages.
About Salvage the Bones
Winner of the 2011 National Book Award for Fiction A hurricane is building over the Gulf of Mexico, threatening the coastal town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi, and Esch's father is growing concerned. A hard drinker, largely absent, he doesn't show concern for much else. Esch and her three brothers are stocking food, but there isn't much to save. Lately, Esch can't keep down what food she gets; she's fourteen and pregnant. Her brother Skeetah is sneaking scraps for his prized pitbull's new litter, dying one by one in the dirt, while brothers Randall and Junior try to stake their claim in a family long on child's play and short on parenting. As the twelve days that comprise the novel's framework yield to the final day and Hurricane Katrina, the unforgettable family at the novel's heart—motherless children sacrificing for each other as they can, protecting and nurturing where love is scarce—pulls itself up to struggle for another day. A wrenching look at the lonesome, brutal, and restrictive realities of rural poverty, "Salvage the Bones" is muscled with poetry, revelatory, and real.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Jesmyn Ward |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 261 |
| Genres | Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction |
| Average Rating | 3.81 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 18,505 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Salvage the Bones?
Salvage the Bones is categorized as Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is Salvage the Bones worth reading?
Based on 18.5K reader ratings, Salvage the Bones has an average score of 3.81 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Salvage the Bones?
Salvage the Bones has 261 pages.
Who wrote Salvage the Bones?
Salvage the Bones was written by Jesmyn Ward. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for Salvage the Bones?
The ISBN-13 for Salvage the Bones is 9781608195220.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
