'True Grit' by Charles Portis is a Western novel that follows the story of fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross seeking revenge for her father's murder. The book is narrated in the first person by Mattie, who enlists the help of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn to track down the killer, Tom Chaney. The plot is action-packed, with elements of gun battles, bravery, and a strong sense of justice prevailing throughout the story. The writing style is described as spare, clean, and filled with terse Western dialogue, making the narrative quick, to the point, and engaging.
The novel is praised for its strong and memorable protagonist, Mattie Ross, who is depicted as brave, stubborn, independent, and smart. The character of Mattie is highlighted as the heart of the story, with her unsentimental and matter-of-fact narration adding depth and humor to the events unfolding in the book. Readers appreciate the humor, character development, and the unique voice of Mattie as a narrator, making 'True Grit' a compelling and enjoyable read that delves into themes of revenge, courage, and perseverance in the Wild West.
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From The Publisher:
There is no knowing what lies in a man's heart. On a trip to buy ponies, Frank Ross is killed by one of his own workers. Tom Chaney shoots him down in the street for a horse, $150 cash, and two Californian gold pieces. Ross's unusually mature and single-minded fourteen-year-old daughter Mattie travels to claim his body, and finds that the authorities are doing nothing to find Chaney. Then she hears of Rooster - a man, she's told, who has grit - and convinces him to join her in a quest into dark, dangerous Indian territory to hunt Chaney down and avenge her father's murder.
Ratings (26)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (6) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (59):
Read It (27) | |
Want To Read (26) | |
Not Interested (6) |
2 comment(s)
True Grit’s redeeming qualities can be found in its prose style and Mattie’s characterization. I also like that there isn’t a firm line dividing the “good” guys and the “bad” guys as Rooster Cogburn shares many features with Lucky Ned Pepper, Chaney, and associates.
Unfortunately,
True Grit has enough problematic elements (e.g. racism, romanticizing the Confederacy) to prevent me from wholly loving this novel though I can appreciate what Portis was trying to do.
"True Grit" by Charles Portis was one of the first Westerns that I ever read, it was also one of my favourites. The plot of bad man killing a good man and then someone who loves the victim getting help to track and take revenge on the perpetrator of the crime is an old one but a tried and trusted storyline. Charles Portis carries this storyline out brilliantly in this timeless novel. The book transferred brilliantly to the cinema screen in the movie of the same name. John Wayne, Kim Darby and Glen Campbell all played the major roles brilliantly. As soon as I read "True Grit" and when I began writing Western novels myself, I knew that I had to write something in the fashion of this magnificent book and so I ended up writing "Friends and Enemies". It may not hold a candle to Charles Portis' masterpiece, but if you enjoyed reading "True Grit" as much as I did, then I suggest you try reading "Friends and Enemies".
What can you read after
True Grit?
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