Salvage the Bones is set in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississipi, based on Ward’s hometown of De Lisle, Mississippi. The novel spans the 12 days leading up to, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Ward specifically chose to set the novel at this time partially because she felt the natural disaster had “receded from public consciousness,” and partially in answer to those who had publicly criticized survivors of the storm for resisting evacuation.
The novel opens with Skeetah's beloved pit bull, China, giving birth. Esch and her brothers watch the birth, while their father prepares for the storm. Mr. Batiste knows a big hurricane is coming, but the rest of his family doesn't...
