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True Grit

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True Grit

By: Charles Portis
Narrated by: Donna Tartt
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About this listen

Now a major film written and directed by the Coen Brothers

There is no knowing what lies in a man's heart.

On a trip to buy ponies, Frank Ross is killed by Torn Chancy, who shoots him down for a horse, $150 cash, and two gold pieces. Ross's single-minded teenage daughter, Mattie, travels to claim his body... Then she meets Rooster - a man with grit - and persuades him to join her on a deadly quest to avenge her father's murder.

Narrated by bestselling American author Donna Tartt, who brings True Grit - her favourite book - to life with perfect intonation, insight and suspense.

©1969 Charles Portis (P)2006 WF Howes Ltd Contemporary Fiction Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Genre Fiction Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

“What book has given me greater pleasure in the last five years? Or in the last twenty? I do not know. What a writer!” (Roald Dahl)
All stars
Most relevant
Brilliant narrator. I can remember seeing the John Wayne film of True Grit and superficially enjoying it. The Coen brothers then excelled with their remake starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and (a then unknown) Haley Steinfelt as Mattie Ross. Love this movie and thought that the book must be good. I was wrong, the book is a masterpiece. I listened to the audiobook (which is narrated by Donna Tartt) Donna clearly loves this book and voices the characters thoughtfully and with real care. Her essay at the end is also excellent. I’m now off to buy my own copy of True Grit, so I can read it properly.

Outstanding in every way.

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M/s Tartt’s reading of this famous novel is wonderful.

I enjoyed the experience of this novel.

Read with Passion

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This was an enjoyable, well paced story. However, the narrators voice was a bit dull and her dry mouthed, lip smacking and swallowing between sentences was annoying.

A solid story hamstrung by below par narration

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A strong young female main character. An adventure story from another time. Worth your time

Great main character

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A pious opinionated teenage girl with sharp wit and mule headed determination, meets a violent uneducated middle aged man; frequent “cork puller” with his own strong tendency to have his own way. Somehow while engaged in a truly exciting and memorable adventure, these two are both changed for the better, and are each allowed to see each other more deeply and from a different perspective. The dialogue is gorgeous also. Donna Tartt does a lovely job as the narrator. Thankyou Charles Portis.

Banishment of preconceived judgments by real life experience.

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When reading this I felt like the context and values were very much like other great Southern US literature I have read as well as having the moral overtones of novesl like Little House on the Prarie, To Kill a Mockingbird and the Canadian gem Anne of Green Gables. Mattie can be a tad judgemental about the "Trash" she encounters but she is still a charming character and her insights into characters like Cogburn are profound. I found many a life lesson quote from this classic. Charles Portis is as I think it was a Dahl stated, " The best writer I have never heard of..." The narator's voice and use of vernacular were impecable.

A Bucket List novel

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Since I have been listening to audible books for the last six years this, true grit would have to be in the top 10 an outstanding listen I recommend it to everybody

One of the Best.

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I wasn’t really looking forward to reading this story but since it was selected by my book club I decided to read it. What a special story and performance.

The story is amazing! The performance was amazing!

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A decent story, but the narration wasn't great with sloppy editing and an unconvincing voice artist...... She does have a great accent though.

OK story, not told particularly well.

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