"Never ask for what ought to be offered." Book Review | Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

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. -Amazon

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell is a complete departure from novels that would normally draw me in, but, I made it my business to deliberately gain a new perspective this year. I think I've discovered a new favorite writer.

In this mysterious Southern Noir, Daniel Woodrell tells the story of a seventeen year old girl named Ree Dolly, who is tasked with the great challenge of finding her father before his court date, or else she, her mentally challenged mother, and two brothers will lose their home in the wild and rocky Ozarks. Winter's Bone will not coddle you with heartwarming sentiments, and promises of unity, no; but it will dig deep into you, revealing a protagonist with more heart and spirit than has been seen for a long while. Daniel Woodrell's protrayal of Ree Dolly is inspired with her unwavering strength and determination to take care of her family against her distant relatives who would seem to rather see them homeless in blistery winter, than break their stubborn pride and unspoken rules.

This is definitely a difficult story to read, and I admit that if it weren't for Daniel Woodrell's beautiful writing, and ability to create heartfelt layers with subtlety, I may have put the book down. But Ree Dolly's journey amazed me, showing a true example of what one can achieve when put in position to have to stand. The abuse she endures at the hands of her own family, both distant and close, could have broken anyone, let alone a teenaged girl with ambitious hopes to join the army and travel the world. Tender moments with Ree teaching her brothers to cook, hunt, and take care of themselves, further twisted my heart for their situation. I loved the dynamic between Ree and her Uncle Teardrop. Teardrop is such a layered and intriguing character who is often forceful, but seems motivated by his desire to protect Ree and his family. I see the same conflict within many characters in the novel, somehow ensnared by their desire to keep the unspoken rules of their family sacred, and yet remain humane to those around them.

What really caught me off guard was Daniel Woodrell's writing. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but not the lyrical, picturesque poetry that captured perfectly the beautiful, untamed, and often treacherous landscape (and people) of the Ozarks. I loved that the family Woodrell portrays carries historical ties to the land, and has their own mythology about their beginnings. In the past, I haven't taken very well to dialect, but Woodrell captures a wonderfully melodic voice that does not distract, but further enhances the world of Winter's Bone. I'm not sure why Daniel Woodrell does not garner more acclaim and popularity than he does. He's fantastic.

Bare in mind: Winter's Bone contains profanity, violence, sensuality, and disturbing scenarios.

Whether you're a Southern Gothic Lit fan, or looking to read a thrilling, and complex story that will grab hold of your heart, I can't recommend Winter's Bone more.  It's like a writers dream.

 

I give Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell five out of five cups of Irish Breakfast.

P.S- Don't forget to enter my giveaway for JUST ONE YEAR by Gayle Forman! I can't believe in a few short weeks, I'll have a copy in my hands!

A Word on the Film Adaptation

Initially, watching the film led me to the book, as I found myself transfixed by it's beautiful cinematography, and scenic views (blame tumblr for my newfound love of the great outdoors). As with most film adaptations, certain elements are changed, but not enough to change the actual story. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely brilliant as Ree Dolly, capturing her strength and determination. I have heard around that the film changed her siblings to a brother and sister after having found two children who lived where they filmed. This was a beautiful choice. It seems as if the kids aren't even acting, but living their lives. They were adorable.

The movie is a bit of a bummer to watch with the subject matter and all, but I recommend it. That being said, I do feel like the book lends a more personal experience, but I'm guessing this is the case with all books.

                   

I give the film adaptation 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast.

Sugarcube Review | Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies? Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring. Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth. Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.-Amazon

The only thing you really need to know about Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, is that it will snatch out your heart, and leave you with that gutted feeling for days afterward.

Hopeless is about a a girl named Sky who's life is uprooted by the presence of, Dean Holder, a guy who causes unsettling memories of a past long forgotten to rise to the surface. Hopeless contains everything you would want in a romantic YA/NA novel: an outsider protagonist, and a love interest with a questionable past that both draws you in, and makes you wonder for the safety of the protagonist. But Colleen Hoover weaves a story with a hidden depth that will blow you away as you peel back its layers. Hoover tackles a disturbing topic with such sincerity and power that it's impossible not to take it with you. I especially loved that even as I thought I had pegged Sky and Dean's situation, it is startlingly far from what I thought. Sky and Dean are two beautiful characters who endure what young people should never have to endure. Their romance is pulsing, and grows more realistic as the novel progresses.

Bare in mind: Hopeless contains profanity, sexual content, and disturbing scenarios of abuse.

             

I give Hopeless by Colleen Hoover 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast.

Book Review + Film | The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

This National Book Award Finalist is now a major motion picture -- one of the most buzzed-about films at Sundance 2013, starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller. SUTTER KEELY. HE’S the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually. Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever.
-Amazon

Thoroughly jazzed by its title, The Spectacular Now promised to be a good, old fashioned coming of age novel about a guy trying to find his way, all the while helping a girl discover her own way. I came away from this feeling a little mixed about it.

Tim Tharp has woven an effervescent character with Sutter (I love his name!). His POV is hilarious, clever and at odd times, insightful. From the first page his voice is clear and strong like a wind blowing right into your face during the Fall. Cue Aimee (In love with this spelling), the young woman who has charmed her way into his life with her kindness and selfless disposition. I enjoyed observing Aimee and Sutter together, watching as she opens his mind with her highly ambitious dreams. She carries a hope that infiltrates Sutter's clever wit, and often cynical view towards the people around him.

Sutter's journey is, at it's core, heartbreaking as he masks his feelings of being unwanted with long, intense bouts with alcohol, and gilded optimism that more often keeps him complacent rather than steadily moving forward into the future. Aimee's backstory cracked my heart all the more as I wondered how many young women have had their spirits broken by neglectful abuse.

Tim Tharp is an excellent writer, crafting authentic characters, each layered with strong personalities of their own. His writing does not condescend to his audience as, unfortunately, some other YA novels tend to do, and I think that's what makes The Spectacular Now a bit of a timeless novel. It felt like many coming of age movies released in the 80s, or even a rated-R version of Boy Meets World (Who doesn't love this show?). But I found myself a bit disappointed with the novel. I kept waiting for a subtle moral to come blazing through by the end. Perhaps this is the beauty of Tharp's novel, that it shows Sutter's journey gone wrong and leaves it to you to make meaning for yourself. Maybe it truly is just a novel about a year in the life of Sutter Keely. If so, I give Tim Tharp loads of props, but I wished it were a bit more hopeful. The closing scene, particularly, left me unsettled.

I also held a pet peeve with the amount of times Christianity is mocked in this novel, and wished that these additions were lessened a little.

Bare in Mind: The Spectacular Now contains profanity (tons of it), cynical commentary towards religion, and copious amounts of alcohol.

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp has a lot of heart, and even loads of underline-able passages to ponder on, but I wanted a little more out of it. That being said, I don't discourage you from picking it up. I'm sure the name alone draws you...I see you trying to figure out how you'll buy it :-).

                                   

I give The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp 3 out of 5 cups of something that won't put a little hair on your chest.

Film Review

I was actually turned on to the book after having watched The Spectacular Now Trailer. Once I find out a film is a novel adaptation, I usually try, or at least endeavor, to read the novel first, and this was one of those projects. But this will be the only time I'll ever say that I found the film to be better than the novel!

Miles Teller basically became Sutter Keely. I couldn't picture a better actor for the role. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, and what oddball line he'd come up with next. He also captured Sutter's soft center that hardly ever shows itself. Aimee, played by the lovely Shailene Woodley, was the first thing I've watched of hers since discovering that she is playing, pretty much, every influential YA character in the last few years (Tris in Divergent, and Hazel Grace in The Fault In Our Stars). Being in love with The Fault In Our Stars, my skepticism, though unwarranted rose, as Hazel is pretty close to most of our hearts. But I was, and wasn't surprised. Shailene was spot on with her portrayal of Aimee, and unlike a lot of young actors now a days, she shows a real future in witty, smart, awesome movies.

I think everyone should go see it. It's filled with all of the wonderful moments of high school, without any of them feeling cliche. It also offers tons more hope than the novel does, unfortunately.

Bare in Mind: The Spectacular Now contains profanity, drug use, alcohol use, sexual content, and slight violence.

                 

I give The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp 4 and a 1/2 out of 5 cups of something else that won't put hair on your chest.

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