Winter's Bone discussion

What did you think of the title, "Winter's Bone"?

The title seems strange to me. It's much too cryptic and unclear. It seems clumsy to me.

I thought it might have been taken from a quote of some sort but that doesn't seem to be the case.

(view spoiler)[Of course they did find the bones during the winter, but the connection is a clumsy one, IMO. (hide spoiler)]

The title did make me curious enough to watch the movie. I suppose that's why they chose it.
(I haven't read the book.)

What's your opinion of the title?

Wally, thanks for searching back in the book for clues about the meaning of the title. Good idea, even though there wasn't a definitive explanation.

I still feel that the title was a clumsy one without a clear connection to the story. (view spoiler)[Sure, they found the bones but calling them "Winter's Bone" just doesn't fit. (hide spoiler)]

I thought that the title came from the lines on the first page about the venison hanging at Blond Milton's: "...venison left to the weather for two nights and three days so the early blossoming of decay might round the flavor, sweeten that meat to the bone."

The winter arrests the majority of decay, but it lets enough in to mature the flavor. Seems like a pretty direct connection to what Ree goes through.

Ursula, that's an interesting point of view. I never thought of that!

actually the author addresses the title in the afterword- i believe he said that winter was becaus of the season during which the book is set and bone refers to (view spoiler)[ ree finally finding out what happened to her father and getting to keep her home (she was thrown a bone after the hell she went through) (hide spoiler)]

Rachel wrote: "actually the author addresses the title in the afterword- i believe he said that winter was becaus of the season during which the book is set and bone refers to [spoilers removed]"

Thanks for the explanation, Rachel. It's a reach but I suppose it can be taken that way. It's just too much of a stretch for me. :)

Robin wrote: "I thought the title seemed apt. Spare, cold, kind of gritty. At least for me, it evoked the feeling of the book."

Good point, Robin. But for me the title was too ambiguous. I haven't yet learned to tolerate ambiguity. :)

However, as you say, it did evoke a certain mood. It also stirred my curiosity...I wondered what it meant...I'm still not sure! LOL It can mean so many things, especially if one stretches one's imagination searching for analogies, metaphors and parallels.

Sometimes readers find analogies and metaphors which the authors weren't aware of themselves! LOL

Hey! I know it has been quite a long time since this topic was started, but I felt I had to answer.

I haven't read the book, but I rewatched the filme this week and according do IMDb:

"The title comes from an old Appalachian expression - "like a dog digging after a winter's bone" - indicating someone who, like Ree Dolly, is on a search or quest for something and will not give it up."

I have no idea if this is true, but for me, it really makes sense :)

Daniela wrote: "... I haven't read the book, but I rewatched the filme this week and according do IMDb: "The title comes from an old Appalachian expression - "like a dog digging after a winter's bone" - indicating someone who, like Ree Dolly, is on a search or quest for something and will not give it up." ..."

Thanks, Daniela. Your answer makes sense. Thanks for posting here.