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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I listened to the audiobook by Donna Tartt! I liked this book but it didn't grab me as much as I had hoped, although I really enjoyed the main character of Mattie. 3.5 stars and rounding down because I kept forgetting to continue this book.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Animal cruelty
A fun one. Spunky characters, adventure, and passion -- like a good fire side tale.
Every summer, I have the strong urge to read a western. A few years back, it was The Berrybender Narratives (all 4 in one go). Last summer, it was Ride South!. Something about the lazy heat that leaves me craving an escape. I'm inspired by the toil that was every day life-- so different from my own air-conditioned existence. This summer, it was True Grit.
The book is written like a serial-- as it was originally published-- sure to build suspense and connection with the tough but lovable characters. I was continually entertained by the humor, and the fiery dialogue. Mattie, the protagonist, is full of spunk, confidence, and conviction. Her ability to negotiate was inspiring, moving grown men like pawns. All around bad-ass. Highlight of the book, certainly.
Every summer, I have the strong urge to read a western. A few years back, it was The Berrybender Narratives (all 4 in one go). Last summer, it was Ride South!. Something about the lazy heat that leaves me craving an escape. I'm inspired by the toil that was every day life-- so different from my own air-conditioned existence. This summer, it was True Grit.
The book is written like a serial-- as it was originally published-- sure to build suspense and connection with the tough but lovable characters. I was continually entertained by the humor, and the fiery dialogue. Mattie, the protagonist, is full of spunk, confidence, and conviction. Her ability to negotiate was inspiring, moving grown men like pawns. All around bad-ass. Highlight of the book, certainly.
4.25/5
The Audible narrator does an excellent job and her personal statement about what the book means to hear is worth a listen.
I feel like the book does a better job of showcasing how strong the main character is compared to the John Wayne movie. She's very interesting. I'll give one another read in the future after I've let it sink in more.
The Audible narrator does an excellent job and her personal statement about what the book means to hear is worth a listen.
I feel like the book does a better job of showcasing how strong the main character is compared to the John Wayne movie. She's very interesting. I'll give one another read in the future after I've let it sink in more.
An excellent reading of this book, although the recording definitely needs editing. I previously listened to Donna Tartt narrate her own book, [b:The Secret History|29044|The Secret History|Donna Tartt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451554846l/29044._SY75_.jpg|221359], and it was okay, but I could hear her breath and open and cloth her mouth, which was kind of annoying. Overall, I thought she did a good job of narrating her book, but I definitely needed to read along while she read and it helped. I think she actually did a better job narrating this book and I really enjoyed the different accents she gave the characters. But again, I could hear her open and closing her mouth to wet her lips (hard to describe the sound) and it was kind of distracting. But would I listen to her read this again? Probably so. It was not quite as funny as I was anticipating, although there were definitely funny scenes. I really enjoyed the story itself and now I want to see the John Wayne movie!
I think I will have to think more about the deeper meanings in this one, a process which was not helped by being sick while reading it, but the story and characters are compelling, and the narrator's voice is incredible.
EDIT: After some thought and discussion: This book has wonderfully moving depictions of how you can not judge a person just by where they are in life or obvious descriptions by society. Even the worst may posses redeeming qualities, and vice versa. Also you should not hunger for personal vengeance; it will maim you.
2023 Update: Started it again while sick in December. This is turning into a tradition, given the wrong conditions. Was very impressed by the way Portis, a (I assume) good writer, writes the whole thing in the voice of (by some definitions at least) a bad writer.
EDIT: After some thought and discussion: This book has wonderfully moving depictions of how you can not judge a person just by where they are in life or obvious descriptions by society. Even the worst may posses redeeming qualities, and vice versa. Also you should not hunger for personal vengeance; it will maim you.
2023 Update: Started it again while sick in December. This is turning into a tradition, given the wrong conditions. Was very impressed by the way Portis, a (I assume) good writer, writes the whole thing in the voice of (by some definitions at least) a bad writer.
True Grit is apparently a true American classic, but I hadn’t heard of it until we decided to trust our bookclub pick to the AI gods. We wanted a Western story with a strong female character, and that we did get, but none of us was very impressed by it. I for one knew from the beginning that this isn’t really my book. The narration voice is interesting and well executed once you realize its intention, but I cared next to nothing for the plot. The 2010 movie adaptation does a better job with the action scenes, yet loses the narration voice a little bit. I read the Finnish translation Kova kuin kivi by Liisa Ryömä and Pirkko Sand.