Bastard Out of Carolina

Bastard Out of Carolina is a novel by Dorothy Allison that was first published in 1992. The story follows the life of Ruth Anne Boatwright, a young girl growing up in Greenville County, South Carolina, during the 1950s and 1960s. She lives with her mother Anney and her four siblings, who share their home with numerous relatives. Despite being born out of wedlock to an absent father, Ruth finds solace and support from her extended family as she struggles through poverty and abuse at the hands of Anney’s new husband, Glen Waddell.


The narrative highlights themes such as social class issues, gender roles within families, child abuse, and sexuality, which makes it an important work of literature for its exploration of these topics. Through its characterization of rural Southern culture alongside allusions to Greek mythology, feminist theory, and religious symbolism, Bastard Out of Carolina offers a powerful insight into what it means to be part of society while also challenging traditional notions about womanhood. This unique combination has earned the novel critical acclaim since its publication, earning Allison several awards, including The National Book Award Finalist (1992) amongst others.