Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you have a copy of this book with an introduction by Donna Tartt, do not read that introduction unless you already know the plot of the book! I got a page or two into it and realised that she was quoting long passages from the text that I would have preferred to have read for the first time within the novel itself.
Having stopped reading the introduction, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to most people I know for both its story and its writing. The tale, told by the now elderly protagonist (always good to know that a hero survives!) is a great adventure, and I loved how her voice and opinions showed when she was narrating other characters.
For the author to be writing a young girl heroine such as Mattie Ross, in a Western, in 1968, I can imagine was quite unusual. For him to create such a strong, memorable character with great depth and forceful personality is extremely skilful. Surrounding her with support from a grizzled old timer Marshall and a young ambitious Texan ranger succeeds in illuminating the nature of Mattie's own "true grit".
Having stopped reading the introduction, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to most people I know for both its story and its writing. The tale, told by the now elderly protagonist (always good to know that a hero survives!) is a great adventure, and I loved how her voice and opinions showed when she was narrating other characters.
For the author to be writing a young girl heroine such as Mattie Ross, in a Western, in 1968, I can imagine was quite unusual. For him to create such a strong, memorable character with great depth and forceful personality is extremely skilful. Surrounding her with support from a grizzled old timer Marshall and a young ambitious Texan ranger succeeds in illuminating the nature of Mattie's own "true grit".
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's both funny and tense, and I recommend.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Decent enough, straightforward read. Loved the climax, didnt love the rest so much. Still a fun story though
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you’re looking for a classic Western that flips the genre on its head, True Grit delivers in spades. While the title points to the grizzled U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn, the real grit belongs to fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross. She’s smart, relentless, and refuses to let anyone—outlaws or lawmen—stand in her way.
After her father is murdered, Mattie takes justice into her own hands, determined to track down the killer with or without help. She hires Rooster not because he’s the most noble man for the job, but because she knows he’ll get it done. And even when the trail turns dangerous and the men around her question her resolve, she doesn’t back down.
Portis’ writing is sharp, darkly funny, and filled with the kind of dry wit that makes Mattie’s voice unforgettable. She narrates with clear-eyed determination, and it’s her unwavering courage—not Rooster’s gun—that truly defines “true grit.”
After her father is murdered, Mattie takes justice into her own hands, determined to track down the killer with or without help. She hires Rooster not because he’s the most noble man for the job, but because she knows he’ll get it done. And even when the trail turns dangerous and the men around her question her resolve, she doesn’t back down.
Portis’ writing is sharp, darkly funny, and filled with the kind of dry wit that makes Mattie’s voice unforgettable. She narrates with clear-eyed determination, and it’s her unwavering courage—not Rooster’s gun—that truly defines “true grit.”
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated