True Grit (1968) tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just fourteen years of age when a coward going by the name of Tom Chaney shoots her father down in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash.

To sign up, please contact our convenor, Kathy Schultenover THE BOOK

This will be a virtual gathering by Zoom. Room is limited, so reserve your space in advance. The Club will meet at two different times to discuss the book, in order to allow for good conversation in small groups. Every character in this novel has a unique way of expressing himself, and it's clear to the reader that Portis genuinely loves each and every one of these characters and creating for them a unique vernacular.įor fans of True Grit or other Charles Portis novels and for readers who have yet to discover his work, a trip with Portis and Lamar Jimmerson will be great fun and full of rewards.Join us for the Parnassus Book Club virtual discussion of True Grit, by Charles Portis in a private Zoom meeting. Portis is often compared to Mark Twain because, like Twain, Portis focuses on and plays with the wide range of expression found in American speech. Soon he is basking in the lore of lost Atlantis, convinced that his mission on Earth is to administer to and extend the ranks of the noble brotherhood.Ĭharles Portis wrote five novels, and this is his penultimate. It's the Codex Pappus: the sacred Gnomon text.

Stationed in France in 1917, Jimmerson comes across a little book crammed with Atlantean puzzles, Egyptian riddles, and extended alchemical metaphors. Lamar Jimmerson is the leader of the Gnomon Society, the international fraternal order dedicated to preserving the arcane wisdom of the lost city of Atlantis. Masters of Atlantis is a cockeyed journey into an America of misfits and con men, oddballs, and innocents, by one of America's most respected novelists. The books are so funny that they cry to be read aloud.' -Donna Tartt, author of The Goldfinch and The Secret History, New York Times

'I've loved his work all my life-'The Dog of the South' is a family favorite, as is 'Masters of Atlantis.'. 'A wonderful talent-original, quirky, exciting.' -Larry McMurtry, author of The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment Description New York Times bestselling author!

Charles portis books in order