Reviews - True Grit | The StoryGraph

2.27k reviews for:

True Grit

Charles Portis

4.08 AVERAGE

tiggs2's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

eeenou's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I love a precocious young female narrator! Mattie Ross is a badass.

olliesmithson17's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous fast-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: N/A

arthurology's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional funny fast-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: Complicated

Content Warnings

debmylin's review against another edition

4.0

Ann Patchett does Instagram book recommendations through her bookstore, Parnassus Books, and this was one of her recent recommendations. She also mentioned that the audiobook is read by Donna Tartt, who auditioned over the phone for Charles Portis. Well, I was intrigued, and so on a trip over the last couple of days, I listened to it (I'm sort of fascinated by Donna Tartt and in the middle of reading Secret History right now).

This is not a book I would normally have read, but I enjoyed it. And I thought Donna Tartt did a wonderful job with the voices and dialogue. Very engaging.

kimlynne's review against another edition

5.0

I did the audio version, and yes, folks say it is annoying when you can hear Donna Tarrt catch her breath...but you know, isn't that the fault of the recorders? For me, it didn't distract as much as other people indicated it would. I think her voice is PERFECT to represent Mattie. And it is a great book - and great writing. It is an uncomplicated, economic, and elegant writing. Or so says Donna Tarrt in her essay at the end of the audio version. And I agree.

mcmillan's review against another edition

4.0

The story of 14 year old Mattie Ross tracking down the man who killed her father, with the help of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn and Texas Ranger La Boeuf.

It's a straight-forward story, perfectly told, with engaging characters and fantastic dialogue. He really manages to capture that speech of the time without having to resort to writing phoneticly, and the characters really come alive. Mattie Ross should probably be every 14 year old's role-model. She chooses Rooster for his true grit, but she has grit to spare herself.

I read this just before seeing the latest Coen brothers remake, and they definitely seemed to understand what was great about the book and transfered it well to the film. If you like that movie, you'll probably enjoy the book as much as I did.