Rees Dolly comes from a life of pure poverty. At age 17 she struggles to take care pf herself, her two brothers, and her sickly mother. Her father, a meth addict is constantly out of the picture and dealing with the law. When Rees learns that her father has skipped out on bail AND that he had used the family home for his bond, she embarks out on her own to find him and bring him to his court date to save the family from becoming homeless.
Her journey is not one of ease as the terrain of the Ozarks is rough and the relatives she meets along the way just as unpredictable as the land.
I read many thoughts on Winter’s Bone in the last couple of years. It was always in the back burner of my mind that this would some day be a book I would like to try.
When I recently found it on audible.com I was thrilled that I could try it on audio. My results from this listen are not as raving as other reviews I have read.
First, let me say – it may have been the fact that I listened to it on audio. As much as I LOVE audio, occasionally I find one that may have worked better in book format for me. I think this may be one of those times.
I found myself lost in the Ozarks much of the book. I had trouble following the different routes that Rees was taking along the way, the people she met, and ultimately her discovery.
Honestly…. I think it was me.
I will watch the movie now that I have experienced the audio. I still think this has a lot of potential and I don’t think I connected well, but feel I missed something early on that left me baffled the rest of the time. A wonderful review of this book can be found at Linus’ Blanket. This is one of the reviews I had read that made me want to read this as well.
Fun Fact: Just as I was getting ready to post this review I took a second look at the actress who plays Rees in the movie. After a fast search on Google, I discovered that the actresses name is Jennifer Lawrence, and as per my suspicions… she is also the actress who is playing Katniss in the Hunger Games movie.
I purchased this audio from audible.com
Filed under: audio review Tagged: | Audio, Review
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see the movie…haunting and extremely well acted
I do want to see the movie, from what I seen she is a very good actress!
I’ve wanted to see/read this one, particularly because of the Ozarks (we used to live there). But I’m also a little wary of it because I’ve heard it’s pretty dark, and I have to spread those out pretty far.
Rarely do I say this but I think this one would be better read. I feel this one needed to be followed closely to get the whole pick and I don’t sit and listen to audio… I cook and clean to audio.
I am however excited to see the movie… perhaps by this weekend I can rent this one and Into The Wild. That would be fun – its been a while since I have sat and watched a movie.
Wow, that is a fun fact! I’m thinking the movie will be great…I sometimes can connect with a movie more than a book when the story is an adventure. While I love reading, movies are one of my favorite things. Kind of the way you enjoy audio, perhaps…
I know there are a lot of people that avoid movies from books but I like to see what they do with a story. I am a movie nut too
I rented the movie because I wanted to know who Jennifer Lawrence was since she will be playing Katniss in The Hunger Games. Well, I could only watch like 10 minutes before it was too violent and scary for me to watch! But my husband doesn’t mind such things, so he stuck it out and really liked it!
Wow really Jill? Hmmm…. violence does not appeal to me…. I wonder if I can handle it?
that’s where i’ve seen her! i knew jennifer lawrence looked familiar in the picture above and it’s from the trailers of The Hunger Games I’ve watched about a hundred times! And I remember seeing the trailer for this movie and thought I would really like to watch it – it’s a shame the audio did not connect with you – I’m struggling to finish a book right now on audio that is not connecting well either – it’s a frustrating thing when this happens, i know. thanks for your honest thoughts on the book!
I almost missed who she was too Stacy – truly it was just as I was posting this that I looked at the You Tube video and thought her eyes looked like the girl playing Katniss…. and sure enough!
I feel bad but part of me just wants to watch the movie for this one!
I think the movie will be good Jenners!
I do think some books are better experienced in print and this may well have been one of those times.
I think so Kathy. I needed to be able to go back and read certain details again, something that is hard to do on audio.
I read the book and watched the movie, and had a tough time with the movie! LOL
I am getting a bit concerned about the movie now Diane…lol….:D
My husband and I watched the movie about a month ago… such a dark, dark story. I don’t know if I would want to read it after seeing the movie.
Sorry this one didn’t work for you.
Its hard to picture such a dark life…. maybe thats where I lost the connection. I need to try the movie just to see…
I’ve heard the film is fantastic, but I still haven’t watched it yet so I look forward to your thoughts on it.
Thanks Trisha… I am a bit nervous now that I see what everyone else is saying about it…
Oh, wow! The book looks interesting, and I can’t believe how different she looks in this trailer compared to The Hunger Games!
Shannon
http://www.extremereadingandwriting.wordpress.com
Its in her eyes Shannon… tha’ts the only reason put it together it was her
I have had a few disappointing experiences with audiobooks as well so I kind of gave up on it. It’s such a pity if it otherwise would have been an interesting read! I do see the advantages of audio but I guess it’s just not for me. Hope you’ll enjoy the movie
Thanks Cessie – I hope you will try audio again – there are so many wonderful ones out there.
I have been wondering about this one as well. I don’t like dark, violent movies though…hmmm.
Me either so I am a bit concerned but will still give it a try… I can always shut it off
I’ve had this one on my list for a while. I’m not a big audio fan (so much depends on the narration, while printed words allow you to visualize better). I haven’t seen the movie (not a huge movie buff either), but I’ll definitely be picking up this book sometime.
I hope you like it Julie