Reviews

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison

knittingchaos's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Excellent writing. A hard subject matter handled in a masterful way. Very sad. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault

mccobrien's review

dark sad

4.25

celticthistle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Dementia, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

mszy_reads's review

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Child death

Moderate: Terminal illness, Misogyny, Alcohol, Abandonment, Racism, Miscarriage, and Mental illness

Minor: Animal death and Infidelity

lexib_'s review

challenging dark funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

badclassical's review

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a viscerally difficult book to get through. Read the content warnings and tread lightly.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Child abuse, Torture, and Racial slurs

beachybookstack's review

3.0

I wasn't sure about this book at the start because it was assigned for a writing class I had a few years ago, but I came out of it very positive. For an assigned reading it was worthwhile. I probably would not have read it otherwise though.

jdibiccari's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

gvolkmann's review against another edition

dark reflective sad

4.0

mariegenepi's review

4.0

One of those books whose violence we accept to endure because it is worth the powerful story that unfolds. A story of strong women and desperation.