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The Overlook Press

True Grit: A Novel

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Description

1 New York Times bestseller “An epic and a legend.” ―Washington Post “Quite simply, an American masterpiece.” ―Boston Globe “Charles Portis had a wonderful talent―original, quirky, exciting.” ―Larry McMurtryCharles Portis has long been acclaimed as one of America’s most enduring and incomparable literary voices, and his novels have left an indelible mark on the American canon. True Grit, his most famous novel, was first published in 1968, and has garnered critical acclaim as well as enthusiastic praise from countless passionate fans for more than fifty years.This story of danger and adventure in the old west became the basis for two award-winning films, the first starring John Wayne, in his Oscar-winning role, as Marshall Rooster Cogburn, and the widely praised remake by the Coen brothers, starring Jeff Bridges.True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen when the coward Tom Chaney shoots her father in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 cash. Filled with an unwavering urge to avenge her father’s blood, Mattie finds and, after some tenacious finagling, enlists one- eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available US Marshal, as her partner in pursuit, and they head off into Indian Territory after the killer.True Grit is essential reading. Not just a classic Western, but an undeniable classic of American literature as eccentric, cool, funny, and unflinching as Mattie Ross herself. For fans of either the John Wayne classic or the more recent Coen brothers’ movie, it’s a chance to relive the story of Mattie and Rooster and experience their story as it was originally told. For fans of taut, funny storytelling, it will be a joy to experience in its original form.This edition includes an afterword by bestselling author Donna Tartt (The Secret History and The Goldfinch) and a reading group guide. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Overlook Press


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 5, 2010


Edition ‏ : ‎ Media tie-in


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159020459X


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 97


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16+ years, from customers


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 0.95 x 7.95 inches


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Out of the lengthy list of books deemed “American Classics” this one is by far my favorite. Charles Portis’ use of language is c
Format: Paperback
True Grit is the story of thirteen-year old Mattie Ross who, allied with the stone-faced Rooster Coburn, embarks on an adventure to bring her father’s killer to justice in western times. The novel’s central theme is that everything comes at a price. Tom Chaney ultimately suffers for killing Mattie’s father, and our protagonist has to undergo severe sacrifice to get justice. This is a story about paying your dues - nothing is free in this world, not vengeance or justice or malice. Everything comes at a price. Out of the lengthy list of books deemed “American Classics” this one is by far my favorite. Charles Portis’ use of language is captivating and really transport you to the old west. Portis demonstrates a masterful understanding of his characters and the world they inhabit, making for an engrossing read. An odd thing about this novel is that is feature zero subplots. The story is first and foremost about Mattie and Rooster’s quest to apprehend Tom Chaney. Bereft of any unnecessary narrative fat, the story moves nimbly forward at all times, proving a quick and straightforward read over it’s 200 pages. The novel is admittedly a hard one to pick up. The western language can be intimidating to some, but Portis doesn’t use fancy words just for the sake of sounding smart. The old language is easy to follow, and personally, the world around this story was one of my favorite parts of the book. If you are willing to emerge yourself in the old west, or enjoy straightforward, quick reads, this is for you. The stories brief narrative is surprisingly compelling. Within its short page count, Portis packs in several morally ambiguous scenes where Mattie really questions if what she’s doing is right - and it’s those ideas that bleed into the thematic through line of the novel itself. Like I said before, this is a story about paying your dues, and Mattie certainly grapples with that idea until the bitter climax. It’s these moments that ground the novel in reality, and make Mattie a c character that I could relate to. It greatly increased my enjoyment of the novel. Beautiful prose, well-drawn characters and fresh, interesting ideas make for a quick, compelling read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2016 by Jonathan alexander
    • A must read
Format: Kindle
“True Grit” is a classic western novel featuring fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross, who seeks justice for her father’s murder by hiring U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn. The story balances humor, grit, and suspense. The novel’s themes of justice and perseverance resonate, making it a timeless and must-read for western fans. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2026 by Bernardo Batista Zaldivar
    • Compelling, classic novel
My Rating - Put it on your list Level - East, short Summary After the murder of her father, Mattie Ross tracks the culprit to Fort Smith, Arkansas where she enlist the help of the Marshall Rooster Cogburn. He eventually takes the case, after meeting a Texas Ranger who is also chasing the man for various other crimes. After telling her no, the men begrudgingly accept that she will come with them. They head into nearby Indian Territory, where the eventually find the man and others in hiding after a train robbery. My Thoughts Portis waste no pages of this short book with writing that isn't action. The book starts with the murder and then Mattie heading to Fort Smith and doesn't stop until the final few pages as he concludes the book. Interestingly, the book is written form the perspective of Mattie, who is looking back and telling the story. I think this adds to the quick and action-packed pace. The three main characters are all unique and compelling, even if they a little cliched. Two movies have been made from this, I've seen neither, but know that the Ranger is played by Matt Damon in the most recent one. From the movies where he has tried to be unlikable, I think that fits well. Cogburn is most in line with the grizzled not necessarily lawful anti-hero, while Mattie is more head strong and stubborn. Each character is somewhat iconic in fiction. In case you were wondering, 'true grit', is the term she uses when explaining what she was looking for in a Marshal to track the murderer. It is a compelling story, though the ending felt rushed. There are some of the usual tropes, but there were also a few surprises and twist. Overall, it is a fun, easy book to read, definitely one for the beach/vacation. It is also an American classic, so a novel to put on your list. More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2018 by J.K. Turner
    • Thoroughly enjoyable. worth reading.
Format: Kindle
I can see why there have been several versions of this book made into movies. Loved it. Ms. Tartt does an admirable job with the audio narrative. Try that it adds much to the richness of the story.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2026 by Amazon Customer
    • One I will be re-reading for years!
Format: Kindle
A classic that reads so well! Thoroughly enjoyed this book that I stumbled upon in an Instagram recommendation. Got hooked from the first page! It reads beautifully and has a very strong voice of its own! Amazing to see a female character written so well for the time and at the same time you just read it for what it is and not make anything of the fact that the main character is a young, female, fourteen year old teenager from Arkansas from the 1800. And that right there is what makes this book a masterpiece! Read the kindle version but immediately buying a copy to keep and return to often and often. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2026 by Brian
    • The classic western novel narrated by protagonist Mattie Ross
Format: Paperback
Review Image by Scott Semegran
True Grit by Charles Portis is the classic western novel narrated by protagonist Mattie Ross, first published in 1968, that was made into two classic movies (one starring John Wayne from 1969 and a second starring Jeff Bridges from 2010). The book description from the publisher describes it best: “True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen when the coward Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 cash. Filled with an unwavering urge to avenge her father's blood, Mattie finds and, after some tenacious finagling, enlists one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, as her partner in pursuit, and they head off into Indian Territory after the killer. True Grit is essential reading, an undeniable American classic as eccentric, cool, funny, and unflinching as Mattie Ross herself.” I read this novel immediately after reading another novel I loved by Portis: The Dog of the South. The two novels couldn’t be more different. The Dog of the South is irreverent, quirky, and takes place around the time of its publication (1979); True Grit is deadpan, an adventure of revenge with camaraderie between a ragtag crew, and takes place in 1878. Told by Mattie Ross as an old woman, recounting the time when she was 14 and sought retribution for the murder of her father by a scoundrel, Tom Chaney, her deadpan delivery probably springing more from her older perspective than the younger. But, it’s fun to envision this 14-year old speaking to codger Rooster Cogburn and a flashy Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (pronounced La Beef) in her dry, matter-of-fact way. The story immediately begins with Mattie’s recounting of her father’s unfortunate murder by the hands of a drunken Tom Chaney, and she leaves home to procure a marshal to bring Chaney to justice in Arkansas. She desperately wants revenge and to see Chaney hung for his crime. After asking around to folks all too confused about a child commandeering a marshal, she picks Cogburn, as he’s described as the meanest of all the marshals, and the man she believes to have “true grit.” They reluctantly team up with LaBoeuf, who is also hunting Chaney. The real pleasure of this story is watching the relationship between these three, very different characters who, at first, don’t want to work together as a team, but reluctantly do so. Over time, they all discover that each of them is fully capable of bringing Chaney to justice when they work together. Rooster and Mattie especially build a close camaraderie as they get to know each other in the wild country. Portis’ writing style is terse and lean. There is some humor when the characters speak to each other in their deadpan euphemisms, although this book isn’t laugh-out-loud funny like The Dog of the South. But where both books are similar is with Portis’ excellent dialogue, which is funny, vibrant, and rings true-to-life. Portis is a master at dialogue and I can see why True Grit was adapted into two films. If there is a downside to this novel, it’s the loose structure of chapters, some of which stretch to 70 pages in length, too long in my opinion, but this is a small quibble. Side note: the novel is way more violent and gory than either movie depicts, but this is appropriate for this type of revenge story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. I would give this book 4 and 1/2 stars. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2021 by Scott Semegran
    • true Grit
Format: Kindle
A fun read and a full account of the movie. I can see why they chose John Wane as Bruster Clayborn.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2026 by Philip C Howard
    • Great book
Format: Kindle
This was a great book with a fun and exciting story. I loved all the characters. I especially loved Maddie and rooster.
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2026 by isomdc

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