66 pages 2 hours read

Stephen King

Bag of Bones

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Chapters 1-6

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, death by suicide, sexism, racism, rape, ableist language, child death, and alcohol dependency. Some of the characters also use language that stigmatizes sex workers.

Mike Noonan is a 36-year-old novelist who lives in Derry, Maine, with his wife, Johanna “Jo” Arlen Noonan. In August 1994, Jo is leaving the drugstore when a garbage truck bumps into a car. The accident distracts bystanders from noticing that Jo has suddenly collapsed. Jo dies of a brain aneurysm. The medical examiner gives Mike the drugstore bag containing Jo’s purchases, which include a pregnancy test.

At Jo’s funeral, Mike tells Frank, Jo’s eldest brother, that Jo was around seven weeks pregnant when she died. The news comes as a shock to both of them since Mike is known to have a low sperm count. Mike and Jo had been actively trying to conceive children, having already picked out potential names for a son and a daughter—Andrew and Kia, respectively. Frank tries to comfort Mike, but Mike never asks anyone for help. After Frank returns home, Mike loses himself in finishing his latest novel manuscript, a thriller.

Mike privately grieves while trying to move on with his life as a widower.

Related Titles

By Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Billy Summers

Stephen King

Billy Summers

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Children of the Corn

Stephen King

Children of the Corn

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Different Seasons

Stephen King

Different Seasons

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King

Dolores Claiborne

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Elevation

Stephen King

Elevation: A Novel

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

End of Watch

Stephen King

End of Watch

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Fairy Tale

Stephen King

Fairy Tale

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Finders Keepers

Stephen King

Finders Keepers

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Firestarter

Stephen King

Firestarter

Stephen King

Plot Summary

logo

From a Buick 8

Stephen King

From a Buick 8

Stephen King

Plot Summary

logo

Full Dark, No Stars

Stephen King

Full Dark, No Stars

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Gerald's Game

Stephen King

Gerald's Game

Stephen King

Study Guide

logo

Gwendy's Button Box

Stephen King, Richard Chizmar

Gwendy's Button Box

Stephen King, Richard Chizmar