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Abrams Books

True Grit: A Novel

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1 New York Times bestseller “An epic and a legend” —Washington Post “Quite simply, an American masterpiece.” —Boston Globe “The dialogue in True Grit is exquisite.” —David Mamet “Charles Portis had a wonderful talent—original, quirky, exciting.” —Larry McMurtry Charles 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 only 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 ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; Reprint edition (November 5, 2010)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159020459X


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 97


Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up


Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 800L


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.35 x 0.95 x 7.95 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #8,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #89 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction #167 in Westerns (Books) #304 in Classic Literature & Fiction


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • The classic western novel narrated by protagonist Mattie Ross
Review Image by Scott Semegran 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 Scott Semegran
    • A Classic Good Enough to Teach
I first read Charles Portis' "True Grit" about 40 years ago. At that time, I was a young teen girl myself, and Mattie Ross became my hero in many ways. I love the (1969) film as well. I even open-air taped it from the television and would listen to it when I went to sleep at night. My best friend and I memorized it and would recite it on long walks in the woods. I read the book possibly ten times back then. I had ordered it through one of those clubs at school. Many years later, I bought the film on DVD. When I heard about the Coen Brother's 2010 release, my childhood bestfriend and I vowed to see it on opening night. But I also remembered the book with great fondness so I bought it again and began to read it. It is even better than I remembered. The adventures of the opinionated, tight-fisted and fiesty Mattie Ross are enthralling and hilarious all at once. Her personality comes through so clearly in the narration, including her digressions, that you can practically see, hear and smell her. And of course the infamous Rooster Cogburn, the one-eyed Marshal who's as tough as any villian in the Old West, secretly tender to "little sister," and full of his own sordid history. Then there is the arrogant LeBoeuf (who does not have a first name), who is appealing and tough in his own, cocky way. These are only the major characters, while minor characters come across as clear and important as these. Lawyer J. Noble Daggett, Lucky Ned Pepper, Tom Chaney, Quincy and Moon, Col. Stonehill, Mrs. Floyd, Gramma Turner, among others, all play vital roles in Mattie's adventure. Even Columbus Potter, Rooster's trusted friend and fellow Marshall, who has died by the book's first line, comes through clearly and with pertinent value to Rooster's being and the unfoling of events for Mattie. And I cannot forget to mention the heroics of Little Blackie and Bo, trusted beasts who prove their own form of "grit." Part of what is remarkable about this book is that Portis not only managed to create vivid and lively fictional characters, but has done so in the context of real U. S. History. Rooster rode with Quantrill. Mattie meets Frank James and Cole Porter. She witnesses (with Rooster on the stand) the workings of "The Hanging" Judge Parker's court and the executions of the Yankee George Maledon. All these and more real people in the history of our nation as it struggled to recover from the Civil War. And Portis intertwines them with these beloved characters with ease and accuracy. I teach adult education: students who are working toward attaining their GEDs. Reading is not in the forte of many of them. So I always search for a great book to present to them. Last year, we did "To Kill a Mockingbird." We read aloud, answered questions and discussed the book. This year, I'm teaching "True Grit." I have written chapter questions, made vocabulary lists and collected information on the historical characters in the book. I am excited to start this project, not only because of the impressive literary work it is, but because it offers an invaluable lesson on the value of courage, persistence, sacrifice and acheivement. As for the Coen Brothers Film, I did like it. I felt the art direction was very true to the book. But in script it digressed much more than the 1969 version. IN reality, neither of them can truly stand up to this remarkable book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2011 by Cking
    • Great to read after seeing the movie
I think this is a reasonably good book, but not as great as some literary critics maintain. I purchased True Grit: A Novel after enjoying the excellent performances of Kim Darby and John Wayne in Henry Hathaway’s film. They were supported by Dennis Hopper, Strother Martin, Jay Silverheels, and General Sterling Price — all great actors. The plot was quickened by fast pacing, and Elmer Bernstein (Copland’s protégé and Glen Miller’s songwriter), contributed a great soundtrack that helped move things along. After seeing the movie, I wanted more Grit, so I bought the book. The novel is very logical and well-organized. True Grit: A Novel tells mostly the same story as the film. But without the movie histrionics, a few of the characterizations and plotting choices seem awkward. On the other hand, all characters are well drawn and you don’t have to put up with Robert Duval and Glen Campbell’s annoying affectations. What I liked best was that the book was told from Mattie Ross’ first-person perspective, giving us a chance to know and appreciate her character better. RECOMMENDATIONS: If you are an adolescent who likes to read for fun, get this book on your telephone or Kindle. If you are an adult who remembers the film, watch it again and then get this book — it’s a fast, easy read. If you are new to both movie and novel and you like wilderness adventure stories, see the film first and then read the novel if you want more Grit. That’s what I did and I had a good time. If you want to read more book reviews or follow my profile, click my name or face above. I hope this review was helpful, and however you spend your time, I hope you enjoy it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021 by Wes Burgess
    • Such a great, history based book.
Saw the movie years ago but finally read the book. What a story and the author such an interesting writer.
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024 by Sharon Dove

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