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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Salvage the Bones summary
Jesmyn Ward
Brief summary
Salvage the Bones is a gripping novel by Jesmyn Ward that follows the lives of a family in rural Mississippi as they face the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina. Ward's powerful storytelling delves into poverty, resilience, and the strength of familial bonds.
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Salvage the Bones
Summary of key ideas
Battling Poverty and Dysfunction
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward immerses us in the world of the Batiste family, living in poverty in fictional Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. The story is narrated by 14-year-old Esch, who finds herself pregnant by her casual lover, Manny. Esch's mother died giving birth to her youngest brother and she's subsequently been thrust into a maternal role. Deftly juxtaposing beauty and brutality, Ward presents the harsh realities encountered by this African American family.
Esch's father, an alcoholic, is largely absent — preoccupied with preparations for an approaching hurricane, much like the mythic Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane serves as a grim reminder of the devastation looming over their lives, and mirrors Esch’s turbulent personal journey. Esch's brothers, Randall, Skeetah and Junior, each deal with their hardships in different ways, providing additional layers to this familial tapestry.
Love, Loyalty and Survival
A significant subplot revolves around Skeetah and his fight dog, China, whom he adores. Skeetah's commitment to China symbolises his dedication to his family and survival against all odds. The bond between China and Skeetah, as well as China's vicious strength and maternal instincts towards her puppies, alludes to the hardship and resilience experienced in each family member's life. Skeetah's willingness to do anything for China echoes Esch’s feelings for her unborn child.
Meanwhile, Randall dreams of escaping through basketball scholarships, and Junior grapples with the trauma of losing his mother at birth. Esch turns to Greek mythology, particularly the story of Medea, as a lens to understand her own complex emotions and experiences of love, betrayal, and vengeance in the face of Manny's rejection.
The Storm Approaches
As the hurricane approaches, the tension in the narrative builds. The family's vulnerability is thrown into sharp relief. Their already scarce resources are stretched to the limit as they rally together to prepare for the storm. Their close-knit camaraderie and mutual reliance are touchingly portrayed, highlighting how they rely on one another for strength in the face of impending disaster.
During the destructive height of the storm, Ward’s vivid storytelling brings to life the raw power of nature. The family manages to survive the hurricane, but their home and livelihood are decimated. However, this serves as a poignant juxtaposition to the birth of China's puppies and the promise of new life despite, and in response to, disaster.
Raw Life, Death, and Renewal
In the final stages of the story, Ward conveys the aftermath of the hurricane and its devastating effect on the family and community. The tangible images of loss and destruction mirror Esch’s own physical state towards the end of her pregnancy. Manny cruelly disregards Esch’s situation, paralleling Medea’s tragic myth. However, instead of retaliation, Esch chooses nurture and life. Amidst the chaos, she gives birth to a baby girl, symbolically rebuilding and asserting life over destruction.
In conclusion, Salvage the Bones is an intense, heart-wrenching tale that scrutinises poverty, survival, and resilience. It emphasises the strength and perseverance of a family battling great adversities. The novel is steeped in realism and metaphoric richness, evoking an emotional complexity as vast as the storm itself.
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What is Salvage the Bones about?
Salvage the Bones is a powerful coming-of-age novel by Jesmyn Ward. Set in the backdrop of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it follows the story of Esch, a pregnant teenager, and her family as they brace themselves for the approaching Hurricane Katrina. Through beautiful prose and vivid imagery, the book explores themes of family, resilience, and the bonds that hold us together in the face of adversity.
Who should read Salvage the Bones?
- Readers who enjoy powerful and emotionally impactful stories
- Those interested in exploring the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities
- People looking for a deep and thought-provoking reading experience
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