From the Bookshelf of 2015 Reading Challenge [Closed]…

True Grit

Charles Portis

Discussion: . Week 3: Book Turned Into Movie

Why we're reading this: Probably cuz it's not a "popular read". I tend not to read books that are overly commercialized in the cu…more
[close] Probably cuz it's not a "popular read". I tend not to read books that are overly commercialized in the current time.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 107 topics — 944 comments total

. Week 3: Book Turned Into Movie

* Week 3: Introduction
By Jessica · 45 posts · 391 views

last updated Feb 27, 2015 05:34AM

* Week 3: Progress Post
By Jessica · 46 posts · 176 views

last updated Nov 06, 2015 06:53AM

What Members Thought

Jan 07, 2021 Sarah Koehler rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A few months (weeks? I dunno 🤷🏼‍♀️) ago, I read a book called “One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow.” It featured a frontier American setting, and I said then that I wanted to read more pieces set in that place. “True Grit” is an American classic, originally published in 1968 and made into a film starring John Wayne in 1969. And after reading it, I can see why it’s held its place in the cannon of classics.

Mattie Ross is a legendary-type literary child who shares characteristics with kids like A few months (weeks? I dunno 🤷🏼‍♀️) ago, I read a book called “One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow.” It featured a frontier American setting, and I said then that I wanted to read more pieces set in that place. “True Grit” is an American classic, originally published in 1968 and made into a film starring John Wayne in 1969. And after reading it, I can see why it’s held its place in the cannon of classics.

Mattie Ross is a legendary-type literary child who shares characteristics with kids like Huck Finn, Scout Finch, or Mick Kelly (my favorite McCullers character). Mattie is 14 years old when her father is robbed, shot and killed in Alabama by a drunken gambler. Vowing to avenge his death, she hires the one-eyed US Marshall, Rooster Cogburn. He is a typical “old west sheriff” type, but he is also kind and compassionate when he must be. Rooster and Texas Ranger LeBeuff determine they’ll take the case and find Mattie’s dad’s killer, but they don’t want Mattie tagging along. Mattie, however, doesn’t take no for an answer and soon she shows that she can ride with the big boys. She can shoot a pistol, is good with numbers and directions, and is tough as nails. She is logical, faithful, straight-forward and genuine. And by the end, the men come to like having her around, almost treating her like a daughter or beloved niece.

The climax of the story really is the last 70 pages or so, as they track down the killer and face off in the wilderness of the south. Among the bats and rattlesnakes and dangers of the wild, Mattie ultimately kills her father’s murderer herself, making good on the promise she made on page 2. Though the whole story is told as a flashback from her POV as an adult, the entire story just, well... works.

At the end is also an Afterword by modern author Donna Tartt; her most “profound” statement about the book (that’s not really the word I want there....) is that it’s a cross-generational favorite. There aren’t many times i which a great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and daughter all read the same novel and love it. And yet, I can see why that’s the case with this book. The characters are likeable (and the bad guys are absolutely dislikable!) and the story is quick and entertaining. There are action scenes, horses, train robberies, Jesse James and his gang, rattlesnakes, gunfights, etc. You name an element of “Frontier American life” and this book has it. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2015 KWinks rated it really liked it · review of another edition

For me, this read like a true, historical account by Mattie Ross about the hunt for the man who killed her father. Truly, it was great to read about an awesome character who has a great head on her shoulders. Mattie sure knew how to take care of business, including finding a man with "grit" to help her hunt Chaney down. And are there any characters in literature (or anywhere) with as much grit as Rooster Cogburn? Great American read. ...more

Like · see review