Woodrell, Daniel ; Winter's Bone ; Informal Buddy read ; Start date 24 Nov 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

What is a Buddy Read?

This is an "Informal Buddy Read"
An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

Book synopsis
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

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

reserved

[Margaret]

I have been wanting to read this for a while.

[Sarah]

Me too, because then I also want to see the movie - I think it won Best Picture at the Sundance Film Festival. I am doing the audio and started a little this morning. This one may be a better one to read. I noticed I really needed to pay attention. The writing I am sure is good, I like descriptive writing and just describing the outside cold and the land really gave me a sense of the setting - seems kind of rural back country poor criminal kind of feel when she is describing the family and community - if that makes sense.

[Margaret]

I love good descriptive writing, this sounds to be right up my alley. I started to watch the movie but was pulled away and never finished. I was a bit leary because it seemed a bit dark and I wasn't in the mood at the time. I can't wait to start it....darn, I have two more books to start before I tackle it.

[Sarah]

It will be dark - I think. Well I will be reading Crime and Punishment.

[Jen]

I'm going to join as well!

[Sarah]

Welcome Jennifer

[Cynthia]

It's been so long since I saw the movie, that I think I'm safe to read the book.

[Sarah]

Cool Cynthia. Did you like the movie?

[Cynthia]

I did. First time I saw Jennifer Lawrence act, way before she was miz hollywood. I remember more about the mood and setting than I do the storyline. I remember liking her, though, and thinking she would go far. She's beautiful in a real person kind of way.

[Sarah]

I listened to this the last couple of days while driving to and from work, but I will defenitely discuss when you gals join in. But I can say it is really crazy to think about what people grow up in and are exposed to. This is like a story of back country white trash mafia. And it is crazy how generations pass on these cycles of poverty, drug manufacturing, drug abuse, crime etc.... I am sure everyone will figure this out, or already knows, but just in case, crank is another slang for meth or methamphetamine, very toxic and hazardous to manufacture and a huge problem here where I live in the Pacific Northwest, all though I think this story takes place in Missouri/Arkansas region.This book kind of reminds me of Bastard Out of Carolina meets the show Breaking Bad

[Margaret]

Hi Sarah! I can't wait to start this one! I have the book waiting for me on my Kindle....I want to get a book out of the way, hopefully by Sunday. :) We have a problem in our neck of the woods as well but I think pot has more of a hold because of all the gardens around here. I am surrounded by National Forest and it is a prime spot for illegal activity as well. So, this is going to be interesting.

[Sarah]

Haha, I live in Portland, OR and we just legalized recreational marijuana. I am not sure how it will be regulated yet. Washington already has done this.

[Margaret]

I am so happy that we have had quite a bit of rain lately, just because it has knocked down the overwhelming, in your face, very ripe bud smell. So, I'll be starting the book tomorrow, I can't wait!

[Margaret]

I have read up to Chapter 11, so far the writing is very unique and I immediately fell into the story which is a stretch for me because I generally don't read stories of this nature. I saw snippets of the movie and ever since wished that I had seen the entire movie. So, when I saw the buddy read, I had to join in. While reading I often thought of my own family who has a family history of moonshining on my father's side in the Appalachian hills of Kentucky. The book reminds me somewhat of the countryside and the hollowness of certain sections I remember visiting.

(view spoiler)[Ree is trying to locate her father who has a bond on the house and if he isn't found, they will lose it. I have to admit that her having to go search for her father and then to be in company of several unsavory characters brought up some anxiety in me. I couldn't imagine having to do such a task; of course this is her world but still! I personally can't imagine being in that situation especially having to talk to Little Arthur, nope. I am now wondering how much of Ree's character will be fleshed out for us. I always look for this in a character though I understand that the author could be artistic in this case. What if the author doesn't flesh Ree out? Could this be a ploy to make the story even more austere? If he does, it would not bother me at all. I think how the author will handle the characters and the situations will be part of the discovery and enjoyment of the book. We'll see. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I didn't necessarily get a strong feel for characters in the book, however, I did get a strong feel for the landscape, the way of life, and the plot. I also really like good character development. I just watched the movie.

[Margaret]

How far are you into the book Sarah? I am going to wait to finish the book and then watch the movie. Oh, I love good character development, we'll see how this one stacks up to my "needs" lol.

[Cynthia]

I'm taking it with me to TN, where I'll be holed up in the Smokies for Thanksgiving. I think it'll be the perfect accompaniment for the book, as we're expecting some snow.

My parents live in a valley with a history of moonshiners, but we aren't from there originally. The area they come from in MS has a significant meth problem, though. It seems like all you have to do to find meth problems is find a town that's lost it's industry. The more poor people, the more meth. Desperation, I suppose.

[Margaret]

Cynthia....so true what a shame. We do have our meth problem in this area. We have places where a person can hide and make it and of course you have the people who buys it. It is sad, I hear about it a little and know that it is around but it seems like the pot growing is more in our line of vision and smell.

A trip to the Smokies, how cool. I haven't been back to that part of the country since I was 17! As for moonshining in my family, it was part of their heritage and of course to make money, my father made it at the age of 8 years old! My grandfather on my mother's side use to run it to Canada when prohibition was going on.

Have fun, check in with us and you read it :)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

I saw the movie a few years ago but have been wanting to read the book for a long time. I've heard good things about this writer. I hope I can read this book and join the buddy discussion before the TT3 ends but we'll see if I can squeeze it in! It won't be until December or January at the earliest. Maybe I'll read it in January, to complement the winter weather we'll be having then.

[Margaret]

Teresa....when you do start it I will come back and discuss it with you if you would like. I love discussing books :)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Sounds great, Margaret!

[Cynthia]

Wow. I remember liking the movie, but it can't hold a candle to the book. That's some of the most beautiful writing. It helps that I'm fond of that style.

This book was so short, under 2 hours to read, so I didn't really want to break it up over several days to discuss.

(view spoiler)[ I began suspecting that Ree was in love with Gail when she first visited her trailer and was playing with her hair. I'm still not sure how Gail felt about it. Was she in love, too? Did she just go back to whatshisname (Bryan?) so Ned would have a home? I suspect that's the truth. So sad, but again not unusual.

I don't know if I could have cut my dad's hands off, or even held him while someone else did the cutting. Even if it meant saving the house for my family. But I don't have the kind of Dad Ree had, so maybe that's why I can't imagine it.

(hide spoiler)]

[Margaret]

Cynthia so you are finished with the book? You must be a fast reader if you can read it in 2 hours! I need to wait on that spoiler, I started to read it because of habit than realize.....oops! I agree with you the writing is beautiful, this is what I expect and want in a book.

[Cynthia]

I didn't plan on reading it tonight, then I decided I would try to read as many of the library books as I could and just take my Kindle with me.

I couldn't put it down once I started. Now I have to get up and clean the kitchen, since I read right through dinner.

[Margaret]

I put it down for a few hours to watch a very good movie....oh my! So, back to reading. :)

[Sarah]

Margaret wrote: "How far are you into the book Sarah? I am going to wait to finish the book and then watch the movie. Oh, I love good character development, we'll see how this one stacks up to my "needs" lol."

I finished already, I seem to be flying through my audio books. Yeah, I watched the movie today, finished the book yesterday. It isn't very long though. But I am following the discussion.

[Margaret]

I had to watch the Walking Dead and now....I am finally back to the book. :)

[Srividya]

I just saw this. Haven't seen the movie but the blurb sounds interesting. Will start it later today. Hope someone's there who is still reading it and can discuss it later :)

[Sarah]

Cynthia -(view spoiler)[ I think it wasn't just about Ree's dad, she was so desperate to save the family home and take care of her mother and siblings, who she probably loved more than her father, plus he was already dead, but also I think she was doing what she had to out of complete desperation to save her family.
I also felt the relationship between Gail and Ree was quite intimate, to me it felt mutual (hide spoiler)]

[Margaret]

Srividya....I will probably finished tomorrow and I'll be around to discuss it, so no worries :)

[Srividya]

Great Margaret. Looking forward to discussing this one with you :)

[Cynthia]

@ Sarah - I think you're right. And that just makes it so much more heartbreaking.

[Sarah]

It really is heartbreaking. Have you read Bastard Out of Carolina - it is so disturbing, but at the same time an accurate portrayal of some people's lives. It may be too intense for certain people.

[Margaret]

Well, I have finished! (view spoiler)[that part about cutting off the hands of her father, ewww...and the description. In a way it seemed so sad and hopeless by Ree's decision to stay and help her brothers and mother but then I couldn't see her leaving them. They needed her and she did make the right choice. I think her determination not to fall into the clasp of doing meth was a good sign that things would be better for Ree's brothers. So, what a journey! Talk about rough people! (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Yes, but I'm overdue for a re-read. To be honest, I space my emotionally intense books out. I tend to ruminate.

I'm so glad I didn't read this while I'm visiting my parents. That's emotionally intense enough without adding anything else on top of it.

I think I'm only going to read fantasy while I'm there. (Says the woman that has already downloaded the audiobook for the drive). I've got no sense.

[Sarah]

I am listening to by Maya Angelou. She uplifts me. She is one of my heroes. She just has so much wisdom and I love that she narrates her own books, especially now that she has passed. It is like an Angel speaking to me.

[Margaret]

lol....after this book we need a little uplifting! I don't think I ever read that one by Maya Angelou.

[Sarah]

Well I am looking forward to my BR for The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I have already read the first 150 pages I think, but it was inspirational. But my schedule is pretty set for the next few months and a lot of my books tend to be on the darker side.

[Margaret]

Oh I am also doing that BR as well but I am on a waiting list. I am the 29th person out of 53 people waiting but then there are 13 copies! I hope it comes in time. :) I might have to search for it elsewhere.

[Sarah]

Yeah I already got my copy, and if I don't finish this time, well I just have to, because the waiting list is huge and I don't want to wait again. But I will always join in on your discussion later.

[Sarah]

Cynthia - let me know what you think about Revival. I don't love Stephen King like some people - he is hit or miss for me.

[Cynthia]

I still haven't read Doctor Sleep or Mr. Mercedes, so I'm not rabid about him. I did read him a lot when I was younger. As an adult, I find that I my responses range from like to love, but I haven't really hated anything of his that I've read. I like his writing style, his thought process.

I'm thinking of reading The Boys in the Boat, too.

[Jen]

I'm listing to this one on tape and I am done with the first part of 5. So, I'm about a fifth of the way in but not exactly sure where.

Here are my thoughts so far:
(view spoiler)[
I really liked the juxtaposition between the cold and the sounds Ree listens to in her head phones. Interesting, because she likes the tropical. I think I would like the sounds of crunching snow or hollow cold wind. However, when in the situation of actually being cold... those sounds aren't all that pleasant. I'm wondering if this is a parallel to her wanting to be out of her situation.

I also think there are a lot of really good descriptions of poverty. Even Ree not going to school is a good example, but her friend having a baby and being stuck with the baby's dad really touched me. What did you guys think when her friend didn't get permission to use the car, Ree remarked that her friend wouldn't have put up with that before. But, her friend says things change when you get married. What do you guys think? Is this a common change? Good or bad?

I really liked the description of their friendship how they were "swapping clothes, and dreams, and their opinions of others." In general, I really like the writing, it's to the point but still gives good descriptions. You don't often find writer that are able to do that.

Side note, I laughed at the description of Gale's husband peeing (I can't remember his name). I was the saddest for Ree when she was taking care of her mother. (hide spoiler)]

[Margaret]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm listing to this one on tape and I am done with the first part of 5. So, I'm about a fifth of the way in but not exactly sure where.

Here are my thoughts so far:

I really liked the juxtapositi..."

Hi Jennifer....I thought of listening to the audio, I had the option but I have so many on my ipod now, I might listen to it in the future just to check it out....so... (view spoiler)[I agree about the writing it is beautiful and I especially liked the description of the snow and the stillness, I could almost feel it. Also I do think that her listening to tropical sounds helped her to cope with her own austere surroundings and yes, I do think that she wished that she was somewhere else.

I think the statement that things change when you get married sounded so sad and bleak. I think that it was a bad thing, she probably has a lout of a husband who wants to control her! Having a baby can seem to limit your sense of freedom but I think in these people's world, it really can shut it down and then having a husband like hers, well. I remember living in a very isolated area and when it snowed and having small children, well, you can feel quite limited. Thank goodness my husband is not like hers, I did have a car and I was "allowed" to use the car! So, I don't think it is a common change but it is change all the way around. I think the place and circumstances, it probably felt pretty bleak.

Yep, that description of her husband peeing off the porch is classic! Very sad about her mom, I often wondered what happened to her mother, did I miss that part? Was it the hard living, the experiences? or something specific? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

@ Jennifer - I agree about the writing, I really got a feel for the landscape and enjoyed the descriptive. It also did set the mood - isolated, dreary, cold. Also, yes Ree defenitely has taken on the responsibility of her family, both her mother and her siblings.

[Jen]

I finished yesterday! I really liked it. I wasn't expecting much because the movie was just okay for me.

I really liked listening to it. When books are short, I tend to listen to them rather than read them or I will finish them too quickly. One morning, I was walking back to my house from class and it was cold and rainy. I was listening to the book on my way and I was in the part when Ree is was going to the cave. It's interesting to hear the descriptions of walking in the cold when you actually are walking in the cold.

[Margaret]

Jennifer....I bet that was a cool aspect of listening to the audio! I am wondering if I would want to watch the movie or not, I might just so I can see how the movie and book differs.

[Srividya]

This is another one that I am lagging behind in! Will definitely try and read it today. However, I found the beginning too bleak and yet very intriguing...Hmm guess I need to read it quickly!