The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Edward Tulane is a finely crafted porcelain rabbit who lives in luxury with a girl named Abilene Tulane in 1930s America. He is self-centered, proud of his appearance, and emotionally detached, despite Abilene's deep love for him. Abilene treats Edward like a cherished companion, but he feels no real affection in return. His world is secure and predictable, and he enjoys the admiration he receives from others.

Abilene's family travels to England on an ocean liner, and she brings Edward along. While aboard the ship, two mischievous boys toss Edward overboard, and Abilene is devastated. Edward sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where he remains for almost a year, completely alone and forgotten, beginning his long and painful transformation.

Edward is discovered by a fisherman named Lawrence who brings him home to his kind-hearted wife, Nellie. They clean him, dress him in girl's clothing, and call him “Susanna.” Nellie talks to him as if he were a real child. At first, Edward is annoyed, but he slowly begins to appreciate the warmth of their care. Just as he begins to feel safe again, Nellie's daughter arrives, disapproves of Edward, and throws him in the trash.

Edward ends up in a garbage heap, buried under trash and filth, hopeless. He spends months there before being found by a hobo named Bull and his dog Lucy. Bull names him “Malone,” sews him a hobo outfit, and carries him on the road. Edward starts to value Bull's companionship and Lucy's loyalty. This is the first time Edward begins to feel the stirrings of real affection and humility.

Edward's time with Bull ends when a train conductor throws them off. He's left behind and later picked up by a boy named Bryce, who brings him home to his terminally ill younger sister, Sarah Ruth. She adores Edward, now called “Jangles,” and treats him like a baby. Edward feels a deep, painful love for the girl. When she dies, Edward's heart is broken for the first time.

Bryce, desperate for money, uses Edward as a dancing puppet on the street. One day, while trying to buy food, Bryce performs in a diner, but Edward is thrown to the floor and broken by the owner. Bryce sadly gives Edward to a doll mender in a toy shop, hoping he can be fixed.

Edward is repaired by the doll mender, Lucius Clarke, but is now displayed in a shop with other dolls. He no longer belongs to anyone and waits for someone to love him again. Over time, Edward loses hope and refuses to open his heart. A wise doll encourages him to keep believing in love. Edward, now older in spirit and deeply changed, learns to hope again, even though it hurts.

Years later, a young girl enters the doll shop with her mother — who turns out to be a grown-up Abilene. She recognizes Edward and buys him back. The story ends with Edward finally experiencing true, mutual love and belonging, completing his emotional and spiritual transformation.

Edward's physical journey across land and sea mirrors his emotional journey from pride and vanity to compassion, sorrow, and love. With each person he meets, he learns something new about life and feelings — especially the cost and beauty of loving and being loved.