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Bastard Out of Carolina

By: Dorothy Allison
Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
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Publisher's 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.
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Featured Article: Listens on the identity, history, and future of the American South


The history of the American South is a complicated one. The region is marked by resilience and cultural depth in the face of adversity. From mountain folk celebrating their communities in southern Appalachia to the chefs working tirelessly to honor the South’s traditional cuisine, the culture of the South is vibrant, diverse, and wholly its own. This list presents the multifaceted identity of the South with listens that get to its heart.

What listeners say about Bastard Out of Carolina

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  • Overall
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Narration is perfect

Would you listen to Bastard Out of Carolina again? Why?

I will listen to again. It was interesting from beginning to end. The narration was spot on...I couldn't imagine it any other way.

What did you like best about this story?

The entire Boatwright Family was tragic but entertaining as well.

What does Elizabeth Evans bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Elizabeth really brings this story to life. She does a wonderfull job of expressing all the different characters and the emotion of every chapter from beginning to end.

If you could rename Bastard Out of Carolina, what would you call it?

I couldn't rename it. It is perfect. I suppose "A Girl Called Bone".

Any additional comments?

This is a great story. Heartbreaking and seemed so true and devastating at times. The very first time Bone was abused my heart broke into a millions peices for her. I felt all the rage she should have been feeling although she didn't really know what had just happened she was so young. I felt the betrayal she should have been feeling...and as the story progressed I found myself wishing SOMEONE would put two and two together and figure it out and get that little girl out of there. I found myself wondering about the little sister...was she ok? I thought the creep would start on her (or just did) while Bone was in the ER for her broken tail bone and other injuries. I could go on but to not want to give away the story.

Overall..really deep thought provoking book and narration was perfect..highly reccommended.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read

Story line puts you though all kinds of emotions, the way good books should. I will be looking to see what other books this author has written. The narrator was perfect for this story.
Highly recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

At first I didn't think I would like it, but soon I couldn't stop listening to the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Must Listen!

This should be required reading for all high school students. There are so many stories of love and heartbreak in this book. it's a great book club selection that will keep the conversation going for hours.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved this story with it's shocking reveals

Beautifully told by Elizabether Evans I loved this story so much. It was heart warming and bone chilling and took me to another place. I didn't think I'd love it as much as I did. The characters are so endearing that at first I thought my 12 year old niece would like it, then BAM omg no... this book is shocking, this story is so real and gut wrenching I was genuinely shocked, I do hope she will get to read it one day when she is older because it's an important story to be told. It's a wonderfully engaging story about a simple life. I loved it and is one of my favorite books in audible.

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  • Overall
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Great Read

I loved everything about this book children need to read more books like this!!! B

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  • Overall
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Marvelous! EXTRAORDINARY!! I can relate!!

Bravo!! I love this story. It hit so close to home for me. And I am certain there are so many more of us out there in the world. Thank you Dorothy. Thank you this story. I am thankful to know I am not alone. ❤️

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Real life for too many people

This was an open and heartbreaking story of abuse... well told with excellent narration. Heartbreaking.

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I'm so glad I listened to this story

The story was raw and believable. The narrator brought the characters to life. This isn't a beautiful story. It is a story about family violence and child abuse.

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Love the story

The Author is the best at telling the story and keeping you interested... Also, it is great to get another point a view about poverty

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