True Grit by Charles Portis

Mattie Ross is a 14 year old girl, is hunting Tom Chaney, the outlaw who killed her father. She hires US Marshal Rooster Cogburn, accompanied by a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, to help her find her man.

Mattie Ross is a really cold character. When her father is murdered there is no grief, when a man is hanged there is no shock at the matter. She simply keeps moving on to the next decision and the next destination. A part of me wonders, if Charles Portis, did that on purpose or not... Did he not know how to write emotion? Or did he leave it out, so the readers could see the only differences between an outlaw and good citizen is in the choices made, so the lines between good and bad could be pleasantly blurred... This is my first time reading Charles Portis, so I really have nothing to compare to.

I do think the dialogue between her and Rooster is awesome. I love how this little girl just takes charge of every situation, like she has no idea of her own age; she refuses to let herself be limited. Her self righteous, smart-alecky voice often puts her two hardened companions on their knees (metaphorically).

I enjoyed this.

Rating: 4/5