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cgallenorr 's review for:
True Grit
by Charles Portis
A great story set in my home state
I chose this book for a reading challenge category, “a book set in the state where you were born.” I’ve lived in Arkansas my whole life, and I expected that it would be nice to read about places with which I am familiar. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book beyond its setting. I loved the character of Mattie; she is one tough cookie, wise beyond her years, matter-of-fact, and single-minded about her mission to avenge her father’s murder. There is no nonsense about her, and I loved Mattie’s forthrightness and determination. She was the perfect choice to narrate the story. She chooses the US Marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her hunt down the killer because she hears that he is a man of true grit. And he is, but Mattie herself embodies the trait of true grit as much as, or even more so than, Rooster.
I was immediately swept up in the story, and Mattie’s storytelling was truly enjoyable. I loved the language and the dialogue even more. Although the story was set in the late 1800s, the language felt very familiar to me and only slightly stiff and dated. It added to the charm of the novel.
Without giving away spoilers, I was sort of sad about the ending, although I suppose it was a perfect end to a western novel.
I think this would be an enjoyable read whether you have seen either film adaptation or not, and whether you are a fan of westerns or not. If you like a good story with clever dialogue that is downright hilarious at times, you might like this book.
I chose this book for a reading challenge category, “a book set in the state where you were born.” I’ve lived in Arkansas my whole life, and I expected that it would be nice to read about places with which I am familiar. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this book beyond its setting. I loved the character of Mattie; she is one tough cookie, wise beyond her years, matter-of-fact, and single-minded about her mission to avenge her father’s murder. There is no nonsense about her, and I loved Mattie’s forthrightness and determination. She was the perfect choice to narrate the story. She chooses the US Marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her hunt down the killer because she hears that he is a man of true grit. And he is, but Mattie herself embodies the trait of true grit as much as, or even more so than, Rooster.
I was immediately swept up in the story, and Mattie’s storytelling was truly enjoyable. I loved the language and the dialogue even more. Although the story was set in the late 1800s, the language felt very familiar to me and only slightly stiff and dated. It added to the charm of the novel.
Without giving away spoilers, I was sort of sad about the ending, although I suppose it was a perfect end to a western novel.
I think this would be an enjoyable read whether you have seen either film adaptation or not, and whether you are a fan of westerns or not. If you like a good story with clever dialogue that is downright hilarious at times, you might like this book.