Salvage the Bones - 7th to 12th Day

[Janine]

Please comment on Salvage the Bones from The Seventh Day to The Twelfth Day.

[Irene]

What did you make of the narrator's regular mention of events from Greek tragedy?

Did the dog fighting bother anyone? What did you make of the contrast between the violence in the dog fighting with the tender care the boys took of their dogs?

[Mary]

Regarding the references to Greek mythology, and especially to Medea: I found the asides to be puzzling, a distraction from the novel, and don't see how the references advanced the plot.

[Irene]

I was sceptical that this 14 year old, raised in a family that did not talk about books, would make such constant connections between her life and this ancient classical heroine.

[Irene]

Did anyone have a favorite character?

Why do you think the book ended as it did?

[Mary]

My favorite character was Big Henry because of his kindness and compassion.

[Irene]

I liked him also. I also liked the mother who, even though she is dead years prior to the start of this novel, is such an encouraging presence for Esch. She seemed more alive, more present than the father.