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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
READ HARDER 2018: A Western
I started reading a different Western for this prompt—one written by a woman, about Tombstone—and it just wasn’t grabbing me. I am unreasonably delighted that I switched to True Grit. I enjoyed the Coen Brothers film when I saw it, but I didn’t remember plot points until they were already on top of me (I’m also never concerned about spoilers). What I didn’t realize is that the humor in True Grit comes from the source material. Good goddamn this is a funny book.
Mattie Ross, as an old spinster, recalls the story of the time when she, at age 14, set off to the Choctaw Nation in order to avenge her father’s murder. The first-person narrative is one of the delights here. Mattie has a deliberate, inelegant manner of speech. She does not use contractions. She frequently begins sentences with “my thought was.” She is prone to sermons and morality lessons. She frequently diverges from the storyline to tell the reader something about the modern day. She describes what she sees to the reader and then to another character using exactly the same words.
She is flawed—stubborn, naive, bossy. She’s 14! She’s also hilarious and savvy. In the film, we find Mattie amusing because she’s headstrong. In the novel, we are immersed in Mattie. The world is presented through her lens and the dialog and narration is better for it.
I look forward to rereading this book because it was such a joy the first time. How often do you finish a book and begin planning when you’ll read it again?
I listened to the audiobook, read by (another) author Donna Tartt, who has clear affection for the material. (My only complaint is the dreadful voice she puts on for Greaser Bob, the Mexican bandit. Otherwise, her voices are fun and distinct.) The audiobook contains an afterword from her at the end of the novel that argues for True Grit’s place in the American canon.
I started reading a different Western for this prompt—one written by a woman, about Tombstone—and it just wasn’t grabbing me. I am unreasonably delighted that I switched to True Grit. I enjoyed the Coen Brothers film when I saw it, but I didn’t remember plot points until they were already on top of me (I’m also never concerned about spoilers). What I didn’t realize is that the humor in True Grit comes from the source material. Good goddamn this is a funny book.
Mattie Ross, as an old spinster, recalls the story of the time when she, at age 14, set off to the Choctaw Nation in order to avenge her father’s murder. The first-person narrative is one of the delights here. Mattie has a deliberate, inelegant manner of speech. She does not use contractions. She frequently begins sentences with “my thought was.” She is prone to sermons and morality lessons. She frequently diverges from the storyline to tell the reader something about the modern day. She describes what she sees to the reader and then to another character using exactly the same words.
He passed over the check. “Is this any good to me?"
It was a cashier's check for $2,750 drawn on the Grangers Trust Co. of Topeka, Kansas, to a man named Marshall Purvis. I said, "This is a cashier's check for $2,750 drawn on the Grangers Trust Co. of Topeka, Kansas, to a man named Marshall Purvis."
She is flawed—stubborn, naive, bossy. She’s 14! She’s also hilarious and savvy. In the film, we find Mattie amusing because she’s headstrong. In the novel, we are immersed in Mattie. The world is presented through her lens and the dialog and narration is better for it.
I look forward to rereading this book because it was such a joy the first time. How often do you finish a book and begin planning when you’ll read it again?
I listened to the audiobook, read by (another) author Donna Tartt, who has clear affection for the material. (My only complaint is the dreadful voice she puts on for Greaser Bob, the Mexican bandit. Otherwise, her voices are fun and distinct.) The audiobook contains an afterword from her at the end of the novel that argues for True Grit’s place in the American canon.
i get why so many people love this classic. it’s accessible and has an engaging plot line. i was rooting for our main character the whole time. but at the same time, it felt a little plain and simple. had some fun with it but overall will probably forget most details
I don’t read many westerns (does this even qualify as a western?) but this was a great diversion. Thanks to my dad for buying it and passing it on to me. Now I have to re-watch the Coen brothers’ film!
Easily one of my favorite books I have ever read, probably will think about this one for a long long time and reread eventually!!!!!! Ending with a Batesville shoutout hell yeah my city
Ps my favorite stuffed animal was a little horse named baby blackie omg she is soooo me
Ps my favorite stuffed animal was a little horse named baby blackie omg she is soooo me
52/102 - 1968 - True Grit by Charles Portis
Someone told me several years ago to read this book, and that person was right. Of course I loved this. I have a thing for well-written westerns (Lonesome Dove, No Country for Old Men, Giant), and this is definitely up with the best. I loved Maddie Ross. I loved the deadpan narration. I loved the climax. This will definitely be a book to reread some day.
Someone told me several years ago to read this book, and that person was right. Of course I loved this. I have a thing for well-written westerns (Lonesome Dove, No Country for Old Men, Giant), and this is definitely up with the best. I loved Maddie Ross. I loved the deadpan narration. I loved the climax. This will definitely be a book to reread some day.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this!
http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/2010/12/book-review-true-grit.html
http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/2010/12/book-review-true-grit.html