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Bastard Out of Carolina cover art

Bastard Out of Carolina

By: Dorothy Allison
Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
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Summary

A modern literary classic, now available in a 20th anniversary edition with a new afterword by the author.

The publication of Dorothy Allison's Bastard Out of Carolina was a landmark event. The novel's profound portrait of family dynamics in the rural South won the author a National Book Award nomination and launched her into the literary spotlight. Critics have likened Allison to William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and 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.

©1992 Dorothy Allison (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Bastard Out of Carolina

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Amazing

Literally the best audiobook I've listened to so far and I've listened to hundreds. Once I started I couldn't stop, the characters feel so real honestly this is a powerful book. Hoping for a sequel as was left wanting more. I became so invested in Bone I wanted to find out what happened to her next and how Reece live turned out, left me with unanswered questions but that was the whole point of the novel. Cleverly written.

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This is a great book

Any additional comments?

This book did all the things book should do. It told me about group of people I knew nothing about, it made me feel compassion and anger. I could not stop listening. The narrator is wonderful.

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Distracted

I’m going to buy a paperback copy of this book as the narrators distracting me. I’ve enjoyed the novel itself. Bought as a BOGOF

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Harrowing tale of disfunctional family

I missed this title when first published and was pleased to discover an author I don’t know who writes with amazing credibility. I bought the Audible version; narration throughout is superb and really adds to the feeling of being amidst this Deep South family. It follows the story of Bone. She’s unwanted, unwelcome and I felt for her immediately. It’s a multi layered tale of a life that’s difficult to understand. The family dynamics are way off normal and over the years, the failings, lies duplicity and violence make for often harrowing listening.

Bone has inner strength and resilience and I was immediately invested in her story. Elizabeth Evans writes with passion about a difficult subject matter, but she writes with compassion. It’s often graphic and deeply uncomfortable and there isn’t a lot of light relief. It’s an emotive tale, complex with a number of compelling subplots. These threads come together to make a very satisfying whole.

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One of the greatest contemporary novels

When people start banning books, you know they are worth reading. Some people are frightened of the truth about the horror and violence inflicted within families, upon children and women, that so often goes unchallenged by too many, both inside and outside the family. This book is harrowing, but in its brutality is one of the most powerful novels I've ever read! It's books like this that give young women who have been subjected to physical and sexual violence and emotional neglect by those who are meant to protect them, a voice. In a world where violence against women and girls is more prevalent than ever, this novel is vital to shine a light on hidden harm within the family home.

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A deeply uncomfortable tale

There is little to no light relief to be found in this story, however, the pros are visceral and wholly believable. The tale is deeply affecting but this is not a book to be listened to for escapism and light enjoyment!

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A very sad novel

I thought the writer had written a good book , though a novel I realise that this does go on in the world and very sad to think that young children have to go through this or anybody for that matter

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Can’t recommend this book highly enough.

I was riveted by the story and the characters. So honestly and well written. I could see the story unfolding and just got lost in South Carolina with the heroine!

This should be on the school curriculum by and in public libraries, well done Stephen King for ensuring the latter did happen!

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A truly great story.

This book should be on all school book shelves, it is compelling and visceral. You meet and get to know each character, some are l understandable other make you mad as hell

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exceptional

I loved its raw honesty and found myself shouting at the mother to stop the pig of a step father

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