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Rule of the Bone

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( 9,479 ratings, 837 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks follows a young teenager named Chappie, who transforms into Bone as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Set in upstate New York and Jamaica, the story captures his struggles with family, law, and identity, while highlighting his encounters with diverse and unconventional characters who shape his perspective on life. Through gritty and authentic experiences, Bone seeks a sense of belonging and understanding in a turbulent world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to coming-of-age stories that explore themes of identity, rebellion, and self-discovery. The narrative delves into the raw and candid journey of a teenager navigating the complexities of life, offering a gritty and authentic portrayal of youth.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A stunning novel of our times with a unique character - Bone - who will stay with you long after this book has ended

Published alongside Cloudsplitter in November 2006 for the first time by BloomsburyRussell Banks is the author of The Darling, The Sweet Hereafter and Continental Drift

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Bone is a punked-out teenager, living in a trailer with his alcoholic mother and abusive stepfather. Rejected by his parents, out of school and in trouble with the police, he's now into drugs and shoplifting as he drifts through dope squats and shopping malls.

Until, breaking away from a group of biker thieves, he finds refuge in an abandoned school bus with I-Man, an exiled Rastafarian who dramatically changes his life.

Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks is a gripping tale of a young man's journey through the challenges of adolescence and the search for belonging and identity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks is praised as a contemporary American classic, drawing comparisons to Huck Finn for its engaging tale of redemption. Russell Banks is acknowledged for continuing the grand literary tradition with this intoxicating and unsparing narrative. The story is described as both shattering and reassuring, with a memorable character who resonates profoundly. It combines humour and emotional depth to create an utterly convincing novel.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780747585312

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 November 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Edition: New edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Russell Banks is the critically acclaimed author of Cloudsplitter, The Sweet Hereafter (the film by Atom Egoyan won the Grand Prix and International Critics Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival), Continental Drift and The Darling, amongst others. A winner of numerous fellowships and prizes, he writes regularly for Vanity Fair, the New York Times Book Review, Esquire and Harper's. Russell Banks currently lives in upstate New York.

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