Option 5

            I would recommend Bastard out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison to a friend with the warning that it is a tough read and covers sensitive topics. Even though it covers topics that are difficult to read, I think it was well written. Going through something such as Bone went through, being beaten by her step father and the masturbation, can be a bit overwhelming because it is something most of us would rather not talk about. Allison paints very graphic picture of these events that make most people uncomfortable, the family and personal problems Bone encounters, many others in the world go through too. I think Allison is trying to portray to people who can sympathize with Bone that you may think staying quite will be in the best interest of everyone but it’s not. If Bone had confided in her Aunt Raylene maybe she could have saved herself sooner. Bone struggles with who she is continuously going back and forth with the idea that the way daddy Glen treats her being her fault and then it not. Bone’s mother furthers the struggle by saying things like,” Bone. Is it because of Ruth? Is that why you started yelling at Glen? Honey you know you can’t do that (Allison, pg. 235).” Although no matter how true this may be it puts even more pressure on Bone to watch everything she does so she doesn’t set off Glen. After Raylene sees the marks on Bone after Glen beats her Bone states, “’Mama’, I whimpered, and tried to push up to her. ‘ I made him made. I did’ (Allison, pg. 247).” When everyone is around Bone tries to take the blame for Glen’s actions but when she’s left alone she starts to think about how she is worth something and it isn’t her fault. Part of Bones’ struggle could be from the lack of love she is desperate for. There are multiple times where she states she just wants a fathers love but doesn’t know what she did wrong not to receive that love. Anney claimed she loved her daughter but her actions said other wise. Unfortunately there are many children who go through situations similar to Bone’s. As a society we just feel uncomfortable when we hear about it because we don’t want to believe any thing like this could really happen, but it does. By writing this Novel Allison is able to reach out to children like Bone and help them find their voice and open societies eyes to the reality of the children in these situations. As a result of the gruesome topic of the book people will generally say they don’t like it. I would have to disagree with this though. Some authors may be reluctant to write about such a topic but Allison does a good job of showing readers an issue in society that most victims, or people in general would keep quite about because it goes over many personal problems and details.