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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
The movie made me want to read it. I was not disappointed.
Top notch Western. I've read a lot of crappy ones and this one really stands out. The narrator, speaking many years after the event has a very matter-of-fact, dry voice that contains a lot of unintentional humor. For a Western the plotting is a bit slow-paced at first but it builds nicely into a satisfying conclusion. The denouement is a bit long.
It appears that Portis did some good research since there are many historical details that give the story lots of authenticity.
If you haven't yet seen the John Wayne movie, I'd recommend reading the book first. I kept unhappily visualizing Wayne as Rooster.
It appears that Portis did some good research since there are many historical details that give the story lots of authenticity.
If you haven't yet seen the John Wayne movie, I'd recommend reading the book first. I kept unhappily visualizing Wayne as Rooster.
A Western where the star is a 14 year old girl, determined as hell, tough as anything and absolutely steadfast and secure in herself. Mattie is a delight, and her deadpan obervations astute and refreshing. I wanted something more to push it up to 5 stars, but it's a good no nonsense, shoot em up, old-fashioned story, and I think any Western fan will enjoy it.
I think that I would probably have given this book 5 stars, if I hadn't already seen the movie and known what happened. The version I read had a postscript by Donna Tartt, and she mentioned how we talk about books we love and one of the measures of that is if we reread the book. I could definitely see rereading this book. It was good and fast and I love Mattie's voice.
adventurous
challenging
funny
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
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Almost done with all the prompts for my popsugar reading challenge!
For the challenge, this was book 37/40 : Read a Western
Definitely not my usual genre, but this was fun to listen to.
For the challenge, this was book 37/40 : Read a Western
Definitely not my usual genre, but this was fun to listen to.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amazing book! And the source of one of my favorite books of all time Little Friend by Donna Tartt. As Donna Tartt said, don't see the movie, read the book instead. My son Sam recommended this book and I fell head over heels for it. It is a five star plus book and as Donna Tartt said good for all ages. Apparently her entire family from the olds to the younguns were crazy for it. And it is really short! Won't take you any time at all.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Minor: Racial slurs, Sexism, Blood