In "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell, the story follows Ree Dolly, a strong 17-year-old girl from the Ozarks, who takes on the responsibility of caring for her family when her parents fail. Her father has skipped bail, leaving the family at risk of losing their home. Ree sets out to find him, dead or alive, delving into the harsh poverty and dangerous world of the Ozarks. The novel portrays a stark and gritty existence, filled with violence, poverty, and a code of silence that dominates the community. Woodrell's writing is intense and powerful, painting a vivid picture of Ree's struggle for survival and the complex characters she encounters.
The book is a raw and tragic coming-of-age story set in a world that is both familiar and brutal, where Ree must navigate through backwoods crime and betrayal to protect her family. Woodrell's storytelling captures the harsh realities of life in the Ozarks, with lyrical descriptions of the landscape and characters that feel real and complex. The novel unfolds with a compelling plot, driven by a strong female protagonist facing challenges that test her resilience and strength in a world where family bonds are paramount.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Winter's Bone include graphic depictions of violence, drug use, and themes of mental illness.
From The Publisher:
Daniel Woodrell's modern classic is an unforgettable tale of desperation and courage that inspired the award-winning film starring Jennifer Lawrence.
Ree Dolly's father has skipped bail on charges that he ran a crystal meth lab, and the Dollys will lose their house if he doesn't show up for his next court date. With two young brothers depending on her, 16-year-old Ree knows she has to bring her father back, dead or alive. Living in the harsh poverty of the Ozarks, Ree learns quickly that asking questions of the rough Dolly clan can be a fatal mistake. But, as an unsettling revelation lurks, Ree discovers unforeseen depths in herself and in a family network that protects its own at any cost.
"The lineage from Faulkner to Woodrell runs as deep and true as an Ozark stream in this book…his most profound and haunting yet." - Los Angeles Times Book Review
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1 comment(s)
Years ago, I watched a movie based on this book and I liked it very much. So now I was excited to read this story. But my feelings are rather mixed.
This short story turned out to be much more complicated than I expected. I did not expect so much lyricism, I also had problems with dialogues from time to time. I don't think I always knew exactly what was going on. As a result, I read this short book much longer than I thought I would be. I don't know if this isn't one of those rare cases where a movie has turned out to be better than a book. The story in the movie seemed simpler, yet stronger to me. Although the book is perhaps more violent.
Because it's quite a dark and violent story. The very fact that the main character is so young and at the same time burdened with so much responsibility is difficult. And the whole story is quite dark. After all, the girl searches for her father and soon suspects that he might be dead. So basically, she is looking for his body. If she does not find it, she may lose everything, including the house where she lives with her disabled mother and little brothers. As I said, it's a difficult story.
It is also a very grim picture of the life of the white poor in the American countryside. But also a story about loneliness among people, because Ree and her family are surrounded by relatives, on whom they can hardly count on. If you don't like violence in your books, including violence against women, this is probably not the story for you.
It was a very interesting experience. I'm glad that I read this book, although I think the movie was better. Or is it just the unforgettable role of Jennifer Lawrence? Even now, while reading this book, I could only see her as the main character. She made a great impression on me.
What can you read after
Winter's Bone?
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