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A review by book_concierge
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
4.0
This is a fine work of literary fiction centering on a young girl's coming-of-age in the 1950s rural South, and fighting the label of “trash” attached to her.
Ruth Anne (“Bone”) is born to her extremely beautiful 15-year-old mother shortly after an auto accident. In the confusion at the hospital her grandmother and aunt can’t agree on her name and as a result her birth certificate bears the label “Illegitimate.” Her grandmother insists this makes no difference; the baby is still part of the Boatwright clan, who are tight-knit despite their drinking, fighting and womanizing. But Bone’s mother, Anney, is mortified and determined to legitimize her daughter. When Anney marries Glen, the son of a well-to-do dairyman, it seems her life is set on the right path. However, when their first child is stillborn, Glen begins to take out his frustrations on Bone. Unable to fully understand, and ashamed to admit what is really happening, Bone nurtures her rage silently, while Anney, unaware of the extent of the abuse, stands by her man and dreams of a better life for her family.
There are moments of brilliant writing in this work. I was particularly grateful for occasional laugh-out-loud passages (especially when Bone is describing her own lack of singing talent). Allison does a fine job of “showing” us the characters, rather than telling us what they are like. Bone’s ability to show compassion despite her rage is admirable. But she IS a child, and cannot be expected to always behave nobly. This is an emotionally wrenching read; some of the scenes are just horrific.
Ruth Anne (“Bone”) is born to her extremely beautiful 15-year-old mother shortly after an auto accident. In the confusion at the hospital her grandmother and aunt can’t agree on her name and as a result her birth certificate bears the label “Illegitimate.” Her grandmother insists this makes no difference; the baby is still part of the Boatwright clan, who are tight-knit despite their drinking, fighting and womanizing. But Bone’s mother, Anney, is mortified and determined to legitimize her daughter. When Anney marries Glen, the son of a well-to-do dairyman, it seems her life is set on the right path. However, when their first child is stillborn, Glen begins to take out his frustrations on Bone. Unable to fully understand, and ashamed to admit what is really happening, Bone nurtures her rage silently, while Anney, unaware of the extent of the abuse, stands by her man and dreams of a better life for her family.
There are moments of brilliant writing in this work. I was particularly grateful for occasional laugh-out-loud passages (especially when Bone is describing her own lack of singing talent). Allison does a fine job of “showing” us the characters, rather than telling us what they are like. Bone’s ability to show compassion despite her rage is admirable. But she IS a child, and cannot be expected to always behave nobly. This is an emotionally wrenching read; some of the scenes are just horrific.