| Author | Dorothy Allison |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | American English |
| Genre(s) | 'Coming of age' novel |
| Publisher | Plume (publishing) |
| Publication date | March, 1993 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 320 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-452-28705-7 (paperback) |
Bastard Out of Carolina was the first novel published by author Dorothy Allison. The book is set in Allison's hometown of Greenville, SC and follows the story of the semi-fictional Boatwright family, noted for their drinking and womanizing. The primary conflict revolves around Anney Boatwright's attempts to legitimize her bastard daughter Ruth Anne (nicknamed "Bone") and Bone's abuse and molestation by Anney's new husband. The novel examines the relationship and expectations of gender and mother-child relationships, and explores the roles of these characters in the future. The book was adapted into a film in 1996.
