The overall tone of Winter’s Bone is dark and ominous. Author Daniel Woodrell’s approach to fiction has been described as “country noir,” as he adapts a usually urban genre to a rural setting. The somber, bleak, corrupt atmosphere of the Ozark woods offers a contrast with the strong family bonds which are needed for survival in such a difficult environment. While many of the characters seem entangled in the negative atmosphere, the novel centers on the positive outlook and heroic efforts of one teenage girl, Ree Dolly. Although she knows that she has little chance of succeeding, she tries to remain focused on the high stakes involved. If Ree cannot find her missing father, the family will lose their home.

The rural poverty that the Dolly family experiences is complicated by their involvement in illegal activities. The somber tone is accentuated by her relatives’ efforts to involve her in the use and the business of methamphetamines. Ree’s efforts to maintain a clear head are emphasized along with her perseverance and courage in taking on a leadership role in forestalling the crisis of dispossession. She makes her way through a labyrinth of family connections that threatens to overwhelm her and deter her from her mission.