It's funny, rating this one, I don't know if I'm giving it too many stars or too few. 
 On the one hand, it's a GOOD story, and deserves a solid rating, on the other the narrative is poor and at times puzzling, overall making the movie version a better medium through which to TELL said good story. 
 It's a fast read, and a page turning thriller, but it does feel like something's missing. There's no RICHNESS, no FLAVOR to the main narrative. It's a lot of boring telling that would become tedious if not for the wonderfully flowing, snappy dialogue which saves this book. Is it peppered with too much profanity? Oh, heck yes! But is it also good dialogue that keeps you hooked? Also yes. 
 Frankly, I think this is a read once and then discard kind of book for people who liked the movie and want some more background on a couple of characters. But, if you can skip it, go right ahead. Oddly enough Winter's Bone is one of those stories that CAN stand on its own without knowing all the characters' backstories and such. So if you can, just watch the movie; if you must, read the book but don't expect too much from it.