True Grit

True Grit by Charles Portis

I saw the original “True Grit” in graduate school, one in a series of several Westerns reviewed for an American West history course. I did not care for it, and I haven’t seen the Cohen’s 2010 version yet. So, why would I read the book? I read a great profile of Charles Portis in the Arkansas Times several months ago, had the book at the back of my mind, and it was on sale on Audible. Donna Tartt’s narration is excellent, and I must say, the first film version does not do the novel justice.

Yes, I am slightly biased because the main character and narrator, fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross, hails from Arkansas, is a staunch Presbyterian, and looks down upon Texas for being an inferior land and Texans as an inferior people. I was surprised at how much I liked Mattie, particularly after finding Kim Darby’s portrayal a bit grating, but Mattie's singled-minded focus is charming. I am now a Charles Portis fan and look forward to reading more of his books.

I am currently reading The China Study and Anna Karenina and today started Bossypants and You Remind Me of Me (must read for book club next week!). Other books I’ve read this year and promise to post reviews for soon:

The Paris Wife (good)

Cutting For Stone (good)

The Lonely Polygamist (you know how much I love books about Mormons!)

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons (surprisingly good)

The Magicians (excellent first half, could have lived without the latter half)

Unfamiliar Fishes (not my favorite Sarah Vowell, but still good)

Crazy Sexy Diet (I gave up meat for Lent and am flirting with going vegan. Chick-fil-A and an upcoming trip to Atlanta stand in my way. And turkey bacon)