Semi-autobiographical in nature, the book is set in Allison's hometown of Greenville, South Carolina in the 1950s.

Anney's older sister, Ruth, and their mother try to give a false name for Bone's father, and are caught in their deception.

Bone is declared a bastard, a child born out of wedlock, and "illegitimate” is stamped in big red letters on her birth certificate.

Anney, who "hated to be called trash", spends the next two years unsuccessfully petitioning to get a new birth certificate issued.

After remaining single for a few years, she dates Glen Waddell, the son of a socially prominent dairy owner.

Bone says that she loves Anney and will forgive her if she decides to go back to Glen, but she remains firm that she will never live with him again.

When Glen discovers this, he attacks Bone at her Aunt Alma's house, breaking her arm and raping her on the bedroom floor.