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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Beautiful old 1967 hardcover edition. It just smells like a book.
Terrifically funny. A loping story that's more or less about a guy who goes to New York to find a guy who owes him money, and gets engaged instead. Beautifully observed, dryly written.
Terrifically funny. A loping story that's more or less about a guy who goes to New York to find a guy who owes him money, and gets engaged instead. Beautifully observed, dryly written.
I listened to this one on my walks and I'm sure part of the pleasure was in the narrator's accents and inflections. After Portis' recent death, I've been wanting to try some of his fiction and I wasn't disappointed. Big characters, witty plots and subplots, and off-beat diversions carry you right through this story of Norwood Pratt's adventures with a con-artist, an ex-circus midget (words like midget and the N-word are used liberally throughout this book which was set in the 1960's) and even a college-educated chicken. Portis was a master of dialogue. I'm putting True Grit on hold next.
There's some great Portis dialogue in this book. There's great characters. There's very funny situations.
But that said, I wish there was more of this book. Or more to this book. Or something. I read True Grit first, and I feel like that book is better because it has a much stronger point of view, and a much stronger plot.
If these characters and dialogue could have been structured in a bigger novel.
But that said, I wish there was more of this book. Or more to this book. Or something. I read True Grit first, and I feel like that book is better because it has a much stronger point of view, and a much stronger plot.
If these characters and dialogue could have been structured in a bigger novel.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
more stories about a fella just goin around
I'm glad that Norwood met a fine lady and saved that fortune telling chicken and helped his midget friend
This book is pleasant. It made me laugh a couple times and smile a couple more times. Thanks, book.
If you haven't read Charles Portis, famed author of True Grit, what are you doing with your life?
Portis’s first novel kicks off what is to be a central theme in all his books: the road trip. In each of his books, the central character embarks on a quest, even if it’s a small one, in which they encounter colorful characters and danger.
In Norwood, it’s ex-Marine and aspiring hillbilly music playing Norwood Pratt. Giving you a description of the book almost feels wrong, because there are so many strange and wonderful aspects, they seem best served as a surprise. But here goes: Norwood is hired by sketchy Grady Fring (The Kredit King) to drive an Oldsmobile from Texas to New York City. It turns out Norwood's mission is nothing more than a fool's errand in the end and well, New York City ain't fit for a man of Norwood's demeanor.
Really the story is about how life happens through our daily encounters. Along the way on his journey, Norwood meets the second-shortest midget in show business; a woman who steals his heart; and a college-educated chicken.
This book is flat-out hilarious and its truth lies in the journey you go with Norwood. Don't pass this book up.
Portis’s first novel kicks off what is to be a central theme in all his books: the road trip. In each of his books, the central character embarks on a quest, even if it’s a small one, in which they encounter colorful characters and danger.
In Norwood, it’s ex-Marine and aspiring hillbilly music playing Norwood Pratt. Giving you a description of the book almost feels wrong, because there are so many strange and wonderful aspects, they seem best served as a surprise. But here goes: Norwood is hired by sketchy Grady Fring (The Kredit King) to drive an Oldsmobile from Texas to New York City. It turns out Norwood's mission is nothing more than a fool's errand in the end and well, New York City ain't fit for a man of Norwood's demeanor.
Really the story is about how life happens through our daily encounters. Along the way on his journey, Norwood meets the second-shortest midget in show business; a woman who steals his heart; and a college-educated chicken.
This book is flat-out hilarious and its truth lies in the journey you go with Norwood. Don't pass this book up.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A short novel with ridiculous characters on a fools errand. The protagonist, Norwood drives a stolen car from Texas to New York with the intent of retrieving $70 owed to him by a marine buddy. He makes friends who take advantage of him, gets engaged and adopts a chicken all on the bus ride home.
It's written by the author of True Grit which is a favorite, but this is nothing special. You might like it if you are looking for a light funny southern story. It is very funny.
It's written by the author of True Grit which is a favorite, but this is nothing special. You might like it if you are looking for a light funny southern story. It is very funny.