This book has been around several book clubs in our area and everyone has a reaction to it,particularly the violence by women.Understanding the culture of those living in poverty and their exceptance of unlawful activities as just a way of life, reminds us we do what we have to do to survive

Most of us enjoyed the book, there were a few that were unable to finish. It does get off to a rocky start with colloquilisms that some us had difficulties with, but got interesting about halfway in and ended well. Most of us are Missourians and have family or were raised ourselves in the Ozarks or small towns, so we could find something to identify with. It is a look at poverty and drugs in rural America, with the centerpiece a determined girl, who overcomes great obstacles to protect her disabled mother and younger brothers. It's seamy and raw, so beware, but in many ways an accurate description of how the other half live.

I enjoyed the book but was hoping for a happy ending for Ree. I thought she would get to enter the Army, but that didn't happen. I guess the ending was as happy as it could be.

The movie was gripping, the book even more so. Woodrell transports you to the hills and back woods of the Ozarks and to a life steeped in suspicion, tribal codes and despair. As young Ree Dolly goes on her journey of discovery, you see only hopelessness, but the ending is oddly upbeat. Everyone in my book club read and liked this book and found much to discuss about a book that is only 224 pages long.

Daniel Woodrell writes about this area of the Ozarks in such truthful, insightful language, that makes a reader feel he really knows the place and the people--and he does. Yes, it's dark, at times very sad, at times even shocking--but Ree keeps on trying, to save her home, her family, to teach life to her younger siblings and take care of what needs done, even though it means giving up her own hopes at times. What a story! And what a character Ree Dolly is-you won't forget her.

Poverty, Abuse, Drugs are not uplifting subjects. the main character fights against the hand she is given in life.... it is an inspiring story.