The action takes place in Greenville County, South Carolina in the early 1950s. The Boatwrights are a family of rude men who drink, too tough and indomitable women who marry young. Watching everything with a sharp childlike eye, Bone finds herself trapped in a viscous family triangle that constantly experiences the love of her mother, Annie. Her new stepfather, daddy Glen, is initially nice to Bone, but becomes increasingly cold and mean to her, making her life with him unbearable. Bone is finally forced to choose a life for herself after a last harrowing encounter with Glen from which there is no turning back.