Reviews

True Grit by Charles Portis

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nhlghst's review against another edition

adventurous

2.75

I don't now, I guess I'm just not that into anything western. It also felt a bit unbelievable, with Mattie being 14. Some moment were really funny I'll admit, but the story did not manage to grip me.

I hated the part where Rooster harmed and killed Mattie's pony, very unnecessary.

pollysnapes's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

p_t_b's review against another edition

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5.0

re-read 3 or 4 of this book. it's so short and fast and simple, plot wise. mattie's voice is 90% of the genius here. she's batshit and perfect. just the story of avenging frank ross' blood in the choctaw nation with snow on the ground. i wish there was a secret list of all books as self-possessed and satisfying as this one. give me the list. i know you have it.

acberg's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

5.0

kessler21's review against another edition

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3.0

I think this is a three star read only due to the narrator. Donna Tartt is not my favorite narrator and she might have stolen a star.

You may be familiar with the movie staring John Wayne and Glen Campbell or the Coen brothers remake with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Though the story is very similar, they are different than the book.

Mattie Ross discovers her father has been murdered by one of the farm hands. She hires a Marshall, Rooster Cogburn to hunt this man into Indian territory and serve justice. Mattie Ross is only 14, but she has negotiation skills of a seasoned lawyer. She insists on accompanying Rooster on his hunt for the man who killed her father.

In the book, I like Rooster less than in the movies, but I liked Mattie more.

Edit: I wanted to add that I enjoyed the references to the time period the book takes place. The crisis of 1893, Jessie James, Frank James, and Cole Younger, Grover Cleveland and more.