Bastard Out Of Carolina

This novel can be characterized as a bildungsroman. How might it compare to other coming-of-age narratives, especially those with LGBTQ+ protagonists? How do you see evidence of Bone’s burgeoning sexuality and gender identity?

Discuss Raylene’s character. Does she read as “queer”? How might her gender identity serve as an example for Bone, and what kind of argument about identity is the author making through this depiction?

This novel has been criticized both for its frank depiction of Bone’s sexual development and for its often-graphic moments of physical and sexual abuse. How does the inclusion of this difficult-to-read detail impact the narrative development and shape the experience of the reader?