The novel was published in 1968. The movie in 1969 starting John Wayne made it famous. Charles Portis, who lives in Little Rock, has written other novels, but this is his magnus opus.
The novel is highly entertaining---comic, realistic, full of memorable characters. It's a first person narrative told by a woman in adulthood remembering what happened when she was 14 and she hooked up with a US Marshall named Rooster Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father in the "territory." Since the story starts in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in the late 1870's, I assume the territory is present-day Oklahoma.
The novel is literary with snappy language and dialogue. It is interesting how the realism combines with the humor to make for a satisfying story.
Charles Portis, where are you?
I saw the movie yesterday. I say the movie will receive an Oscar nomination and that Jeff Bridges will also receive a nomination. I like the flow of the picture as it deftly moves from one short scene to the next. This is a real Western, not the flaked up Westerns of old.
Both book and movie are great entertainment.
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