This story was so honest and authentic that I didn't realize it was not a memoir until the afterword. In the afterword, Allison talks about censorship, confronting abuse as a society, and why she didn't write this as a memoir -- "I value both [nonfiction and fiction] but I genuinely believe that fiction can tell a larger truth...The story becomes something more than one persons perspective--it reaches as far as the novelist can imagine...Stories open the door to the darkened room. Language can carry us past the horror to the sense of purpose in a life that refuses to surrender to that darkness."

"I do not want to be the person who acts always out of fear or denial or old shame and older assumptions. I want to be my best self--the one who set out to tell a story that might make a difference in the lives of people who read it. Unafraid, stubborn, resilient, and capable of enormous compassion--someone like Bone."

Bone is an incredible character, deep and layered and surprising. I'm so glad I got to read this story about her, even though it is heavy and sad. Aunt Raylene is my favorite character because of how fierce, independent, and an anchor of stability she is for those around her <3 I hope I can be like her.