Plot Summary

Where the Line Bleeds

Jesmyn Ward
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Where the Line Bleeds

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

Book Brief

Jesmyn Ward

Where the Line Bleeds

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mississippi Gulf Coast • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward follows fraternal twins Joshua and Christophe as they navigate the hardships of rural Mississippi after high school. While Joshua finds employment at the docks, Christophe, feeling left behind and desperate, turns to selling drugs to support their ailing grandmother, Ma-mee. The twins' diverging paths create tension, but their bond and shared love for their grandmother remain unbroken. The novel explores themes of poverty, family loyalty, and the struggle to find one's path in a challenging environment. The book contains references to drug use and addiction.

Gritty

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,521 ratings

67%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jesmyn Ward's Where the Line Bleeds is praised for its evocative prose and authentic depiction of life in a small Mississippi town. Critics commend Ward’s compelling storytelling and rich character development. Some reviews note a slow narrative pace, but the vivid depiction of family bonds and socio-economic struggles generally earns high regard.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Where the Line Bleeds?

Readers who enjoy Jesmyn Ward's Where the Line Bleeds often appreciate deeply atmospheric, character-driven narratives set in the American South. Comparable to those who relish works like Sing, Unburied, Sing by Ward or Salvage the Bones, they value rich, culturally nuanced storytelling that explores family dynamics, resilience, and socioeconomic struggles.

4.1

5,521 ratings

67%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Mississippi Gulf Coast • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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