The advanced reader knows these scenes serve to characterize Esch as she finds her strength against Manny’s abuse. While the graphic scenes read here today are certainly uncomfortable, these scenes are by no means supposed to suggest arousal. Supreme Court defines obscene literature as materials that “appeal predominantly to a prurient interest in sexual conduct, depict or describe sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” I have heard the word “obscene” be used to describe this novel so I thought it would be important for us to look at the legal definition of the word. Learning how to wrestle with our feelings towards complex characters is an important life skill and something good literature can evoke. Throughout the book, we are morally opposed to him fighting his dog, China, yet we are touched by the way he fiercely protects her and his family. Skeetah’s character is just one example of this.

Moreover, the themes in this work are incredibly nuanced and complex. However, this book also shows the timeless themes of family loyalty and resilience. Teenagers will have to navigate their world, and yes, that world does involve uncomfortable topics like statutory rape and teenage pregancy. This novel contains themes that will always be relevant. From China the dog to Hurricane Katrina, this book is dripping with motifs that further the theme. One artistic quality we focus on is Ward’s use of symbolism throughout the novel.

The novel has been judged to have artistic quality by the literary community by winning the 2011 National Book Award for Fiction, one of the highest honors for a contemporary author. Parul Sehgal from The New York Times writes, “It feels fresh and urgent, but it’s an ancient, archetypal tale.” Salvage the Bones does not conform to the expectations of a single genre or formula. As you can see, they found it to be highly relevant and interesting. Here are a few messages from my former students about this novel.

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward