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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This book is pretty close to perfect. Mattie's narration sparkles and the pacing is just right.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A great story, about a girl and marshal who are full of true grit
According to my own review of Charles Portis’ “Norwood,” I had already read “True Grit.” After receiving a copy from the library for an upcoming classics book club, I opened up the book to refresh myself and found that I had, indeed, not read this book!
And I’m super happy I finally have. Mattie Ross is one of the best characters I’ve read in a long time. It is something wonderful to follow a 14-year-old girls trail of revenge, and meet all the people she does in what was then the Wild West (Eastern Arkansas). And to hear it all recounted from her at least 25-year vantage point and in her often-deadpan voice, which is sometimes uproariously funny and sometimes utterly tragic.
Honestly, there’s a lot to say about this rip-roaring book, but the best thing is just to read it yourself!
On an interesting personal note, I happened to be in Northeastern Arkansas for a family party, so it was interesting to try imagining 1870s Arkansas before Federal highways and modern conveniences.
https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/nea-big-read/true-grit
And I’m super happy I finally have. Mattie Ross is one of the best characters I’ve read in a long time. It is something wonderful to follow a 14-year-old girls trail of revenge, and meet all the people she does in what was then the Wild West (Eastern Arkansas). And to hear it all recounted from her at least 25-year vantage point and in her often-deadpan voice, which is sometimes uproariously funny and sometimes utterly tragic.
Honestly, there’s a lot to say about this rip-roaring book, but the best thing is just to read it yourself!
On an interesting personal note, I happened to be in Northeastern Arkansas for a family party, so it was interesting to try imagining 1870s Arkansas before Federal highways and modern conveniences.
https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/nea-big-read/true-grit
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is one that I came across by chance and am so happy that I did. The entire book is narrated in the prim yet unrelenting voice of a Presbyterian homesteader from Arkansas just after the American Civil War. As such, it both completely transports you inside the head of 14 year old Mattie Ross and allows her to play the straight man in her descriptions of the lively bunch of people that she encounters which is incredibly funny. The author never waivers from this voice, even when it feels a bit cumbersome, but instead leans into it...and in so doing delivers a surprisingly succinct yet comprehensive understanding of the entire array of characters. The book feels honest and raw, without artfulness. Yes, I enjoyed this book, but it's more than that...I found it both compelling and memorable in an unexpected way. Once read, you will never forget Mattie Ross. And that's exactly the way that she would have wanted it.
I saw the movie(s) first, so the book lacked some luster in that I already knew the story. (That being said, the movie follows the book very faithfully, so good on the movie for not taking too many Hollywood liberties!) On it's own, the book is a good, fun, Western-genre tale made engaging by the presence of memorable characters with large personalities, and a good dose of humor. A very enjoyable read!