Bastard Out of Carolina

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Summary: This book changed the way I relate to my family
Review: While this story may seem unbelievable to those who have never been party to this type of abuse, I have first-hand knowledge that it can and does happen. I used to think, "Nothing could have happened, because my mom would have stopped it." After reading this book, I saw how callous my own mother was to my abuse. When Bone's mother betrayed her, I was glad that she would no longer be in Bone's life. This book gave me the courage to come out of denial and realize that my mother had chosen my dad over me many times and would never change. Thanks, Dorothy, for the courage you gave me

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Summary: Punched in the stomach
Review: That's how I felt after finishing this book last night. I loved the colorful characters, who all seemed so real --the aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. The abuse, and how it was handled by Bone's mother, was appalling. I would like a sequel, to see how Bone's life turns out

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Summary: Overcoming stigmas in Southern Culture
Review: Having grown up in the south myself I saw the stigmas portrayed in Allison's book to be true. It is hard to express to people who were not in this environment what it was like, but Allison has done this in her book. Basterd out of Carolina is an excellent book in that it tells the story of "Bone" Boatwright, and her life as poor white trash in the south. Bone's speech patterns in telling the story are so clear and easy to read that it adds to the books authenticity and to it's believability. She tells about her mother's struggle to remove the illigitimate label from her birth cirtificate, and how this affected her life. Bone had to fight to prove herself to the world around her. She didn't want to be the bastard people called her, she didn't want to have people control her through their labels. Included in this struggle is the story of overcoming the abuse she receives from "Daddy Glen" her step father. He beats her and molests her, under the guise that she asked for it. It is only through the help of her uncles and her aunts that she is able to rise above the abuse, and the abandonment from her mother and become the person she wants to be. The book is partly autobiographical on the part of Allison, and she has used her own experiences to tell a powerful story of strength. I reccomend this book to people who enjoyed books by Fannie Flagg, and anyone who has had to deal with abuse and/or abandonment

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Summary: Disarming insight into the difficult topic of child abuse
Review: A story unbearable on the surface, the relentless abuse of a child, which leaves the reader with a reasoned compassion for the abuser. The horror of the child's loss is not abandoned for empathy with the abuser, but the story leaves one wishing there was a way to heal all the characters. If you have enjoyed Jane Hamilton, "The Map of the World", you will appreciate this fine novel.

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Summary: 1 of the best fiction books I've read in several years!
Review: Dorothy Allison creates a character in Bone who is funny, real, honest and compelling to read about. I grew up in the South and never had the opportunity to get to know anyone like Bone. This young girl demonstrates such courage, love and strenght in her brief life that I felt honored to know her. While her experiences of physical and sexual abuse are painful to read, the book is powerful and well written. I highly recommend getting to know this young girl and her story

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Summary: A Modern Classic
Review: "Bastard Out of Carolina" is what I consider to have all the makings of a modern classic. Like "My Fractured Life" it legitimizes the story of an illegitimate child amidst an ensemble of vibrant and sometimes violent, intoxicating and intoxicated characters. Words jump from the page. A wonderful book.

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Summary: One of kind
Review: A very difficult novel to read, if only because the abuse is so intense and the characters themselves are so intense. A must read, really. Why do we love those who hurt us so much? Also, try "Reflection" by Kendra Lacy.

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Summary: Kayla's Review For "Bastard Out Of Carolina"
Review: "Bastard Out of Carolina," written by Dorothy Allison, is a book that shows a person what emotional and physical pain a child may go through to be loved. Young Ruth Anne (also known as Bone) is a Boatwright. A family that is famous for drunk men and picking fights. When Bone was born she did not fit in with her family, but her mother Anney covered her. Bone lives in Greenville County, South Carolina. Few years after she is born, Bone's mother marries "Daddy Glen." Glen is warm and gentle with Bone, but soon turns cold and hateful, Yet Anney needs Glen. Caught in this situation Bone's life turns upsidedown.

I recommend this book because it shows what some children have to go through in their life. This book will twist all of your emotions preparing you for the ending that noone will ever forget! That is why i recommend "Bastard Out of Carolina," written by Dorothy Allison.

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Summary: This one will haunt you...
Review: I would definitely recommend this book. The characters and the story haunted me long after reading it. It deals with some dark issues (it's not an uplifting tale), but Allison's writing is able to wring emotion from the reader in ways I've seldom experienced.

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Summary: Harrowing, gritty novel about abuse and poverty
Review: Dorothy Allison's novel "Bastard out of carolina" is a powerful, provactive story of an illegitatime child named Ruth Ann "Bone" Boatwright and the people in her life(her uneducated, but loving mother, her cruel, weak stepfather "Daddy" Glen who gradually escalates the violence until the book's shocking climax). The events of this novel are very true to life of the Deep South of the '50s, and I do credit Allison for telling us how it really is up until its bittersweet end, where our justice is not satisfied, but Bone has a chance to end the cycle of violence. Even though parts offend my taste, I still recommend this for its bluntness in telling the truth