I re-read this book recently after learning that Dorothy Allison had recently passed away - it was her debut and most famous novel. The book is set in the 1950's Deep South and Bone, the narrator, is what the society called a bastard - her mother bore her out of wedlock. It details the lives of the Boatwright family and the abuse that Bone suffers at the hands of her stepfather - Daddy Glen. It explores themes of family, classism and yes, sometimes explicit abuse.
Bone is definitely a complex character. I think that we all know someone like her, whether we are aware of it or not, and Dorothy Allison does a masterful job writing from her perspective. Parts of the story were very hard to read, particularly where she was describing acts of abuse but I think that this sort of novel is important. It allows us to open up discussion about issues that are still taboo.
Definitely worth the re-read.
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