A profound portrait of family dynamics in the rural South and “an essential novel” (The New Yorker) “As close to flawless as any reader could ask for . . . The living language [Allison] has created is as exact and innovative as the language of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye.” —The New York Times Book Review The publication of Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina was a … Review
The publication of Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina was a landmark event that won the author a National Book Award nomination and launched her into the literary spotlight. Critics have likened Allison to Harper Lee, naming her the first writer of her generation to dramatize the lives and language of poor whites in the South. Since its appearance, the novel has inspired an award-winning film and has been banned from libraries and classrooms, championed by fans, and defended by critics.
Greenville County, South Carolina, is a wild, lush place that is home to the Boatwright family—a tight-knit clan of rough-hewn, hard-drinking men who shoot up each other’s trucks, and indomitable women who get married young and age too quickly. At the heart of this story is Ruth Anne Boatwright, known simply as Bone, a bastard child who observes the world around her with a mercilessly keen perspective. When her stepfather Daddy Glen, “cold as death, mean as a snake,” becomes increasingly more vicious toward her, Bone finds herself caught in a family triangle that tests the loyalty of her mother, Anney—and leads to a final, harrowing encounter from which there can be no turning back.
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Incredible gritty coming-of-age novel that will really tear your heart out and stomp on it. The author portrays poverty and the people who live in it so realistically. The main conflict of the story is slow-burning, but overwhelmingly tense, and the climax will leave you reeling.
My friends with young kids told me to pick some really light, fun reads for maternity leave. So naturally I’ve read this and the definitive work on Ted Bundy (The Stranger Beside Me) so far…
This, like the other stuff by Dorothy Allison I’ve read, is sometimes hard to get through. It is frank in the depictions of sexual assault, physical abuse, and poverty. I feel like it’s the kind of book that lots of people have tried to write since, as a sort of poverty porn that exploits a certain vision of the Deep South. But Allison is such a talented writer, and the book is so clearly rooted in reality, personal experience, and empathy, that it felt fresh despite the imitations that have come since from other writers.
A compelling look into the life of people living under the worst of circumstances, and an enlightening look into their secret thoughts and struggles.
This is another coming of age southern fiction novel that has stayed with me ever since I read it. As you would see on the flap copy of THE EDUCATION OF DIXIE DUPREE, this is one of the books where my protagonist’s voice is compared to that of Bone’s, the protagonist in this strong southern grit lit story.
When I’m asked about my favorite books, BASTARD is the one that comes to mind. I have many, but it’s a story I read over twenty years ago and still think about. We have Ruth Ann Boatwright, known as Bone, because when she was born, one of her uncle’s said she was “no bigger than a knuckle bone.” Hers is a story of dirt poor family, her strong, loyal love for her Mama who eventually finds herself in love with the “wrong” man. After her Mama marries Glen Waddell, it becomes apparent he not only has anger management issues, he also has problems with Bone.
Dorothy Allison’s writing is pure, raw and real. This is the sort of story, with all of its difficult scenes, you still will find hard to put down.
Highly recommend!
This was a very insightful story. Told in first person, the author allowed the reader to almost walk in the shoes and feel the pain of its main character. Well written and quite poignant
I spent my working life as a social worker in child protective services. I kept trying to imagine how and if I could have intervened with these families. It was a very brave book.
I read this a while ago, but I still can’t shake my visceral reaction to the the complexity of the mother, the insight of the child and the monstrosity of the stepfather. The POV was unusual, it was nonjudgmental and moving in its simplicity. Not the easiest read, not a tea party, but worth it.
The only book that I have ever thrown against a wall out of rage for a character. Beautifully written, and has stayed with me for years.
Gave good background into one of life’s difficult situations, situations and experiences that are hard to understand if they are far removed from the reader’s own experience. The family was so large that I occasionally had trouble keeping the characters straight. The afterward was well written and gave the reader a fell fo why the book was written
This is a haunting classic about a young girl who has a very difficult life. It is not a fun read, but gives some insight into Appalachian ways of life.
Rarely does a book improve when 25 years elapses between reads. Bastard Out of Carolina is that rare classic.
An exceptional story. Must read.
Not a comfortable read, but well worth it
Pretty horrible story. depressing really. No happy ending here. I kept waiting for it to get better or for the heroine to evolve or transform, but no redemption to be had for any of the characters. Ugh
I wanted more closure – what happened to Glen? A very good, but heartbreaking book. The precursor to Hillbilly Elegy. Vivid description of what poor southern family life can be- warts and all. However warts doesn’t begin to describe it really. Characters were sharply drawn. Wanted more and will check out other books by author
It’s really is hard to read a story based around child abuse and hardships. Would have liked a happier ending for my own piece of mind. But it was a good read.
One of many stories in the south
Such a great book. I couldn’t put it down.
I really enjoyed the loving dynamic between the women of this young girl
I read the reviews on this book before I purchased it and thought that it would be something that I would enjoy. Not sure enjoy is the correct word for this book. I wanted to beat the mom in this book with this book! The mom made terrible decisions and her daughter paid the price for those decisions.