R.I.P. Charles Portis (True Grit author)

US American comic writer Charles Portis died today. He wrote one of the funniest books I’ve ever read (Masters of Atlantis, a sendup of conspiracy theory loons now probably more prescient than when it was written) but is probably best known for writing True Grit, adapted into two well-received films. He and Robert Coover are probably neck-and-neck for funniest American author of the latter twentieth century, imho.

“True Grit” was one of the best written American novels of all time. The movies captured some of the elements, but never the excellent narrative, the characters, and the story he portrayed.

RIP Porter. And thank you.

Wound up tighter than dick’s hatband. One of those great whaaaaaaa? lines.

— Alan

One of my favorite bloggers (Brian Phillips) belatedly blogs about Portis.