True grit

a novel.

215 pages

English language

Published Dec. 30, 1968 by Simon and Schuster.

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5 stars (1 review)

True Grit is Charles Portis' most famous novel--first published in 1968. It tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash money. Mattie leaves home to avenge her father's blood. With the one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, Mattie pursues the homicide into Indian Territory.

True Grit is eccentric, cool, straight, and unflinching, like Mattie herself. From a writer of true cult status, this is an American classic through and through.

19 editions

Review of 'True Grit' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

First off, if you haven't read this, go add it to your reading list now. This short tale is every bit as good as To Kill a Mockingbird or Huckleberry Finn. If you are into audio books, this one is read by Pulitzer prize winning author Donna Tartt, who absolutely nails it.

This book has excellent descriptive language, snappy dialogue and also quite a bit of wry humor. The main action takes place in the late 1870s, and as a portrayal of that time period, I believe this is very well done. Language, location, and characters (with comical names like LaBoeuf - pronounced La Beef - and Lawyer Daggett) are all excellent.

No, I haven't seen the new movie, and have only seen portions of the original on afternoon westerns as a kid. I understand both are pretty good in their own ways, but I am (as always) glad I …

Subjects

  • Teenage girls -- Fiction
  • Fathers -- Death -- Fiction
  • United States marshals -- Fiction
  • Outlaws -- Fiction
  • Revenge -- Fiction