Child of God tells the story of Lester Ballard, a poor, violent, and socially isolated man living in rural Tennessee. After losing his family home, he becomes homeless and drifts deeper into the mountains.
As he is rejected by society, Lester becomes increasingly detached from normal human behavior. He lives in abandoned places, survives by scavenging, and gradually descends into disturbing and criminal acts. The novel follows his complete moral and psychological breakdown.
Through Lester’s story, McCarthy explores how extreme loneliness, poverty, and social exclusion can push a person into darkness and violence.