Many fantastic books have been turned into films over the last few decades, but not all of them have been a success. However, that can’t be said about one Western book that inspired what some call “one of the greatest movies of all time”. The novel is set in 1878 and the story follows a 14-year-old girl who sets out to avenge her father’s death.

She teams up with a tough US Marshal and a Texas Ranger to track down the man responsible. Decades later, she recalls the journey in her own words. The book is now seen by many as one of the best Western novels ever written, and readers have been full of praise. One person said: “Wow, what a book! It really takes you by the hand and when you notice, you finish it!”

Another wrote: “Bloody great read. Masterful language and rich characters which get the reader talkin’ like a sheriff from Oklahoma.”

A third added: “The book is a masterpiece. There aren’t too many fantastic Western books, but this one tops the list for sure.”

The novel is True Grit by Charles Portis. It was first published in 1968 and later released as part of the Library of America’s collected works.

It tells the story of Mattie Ross, who travels from her home in Arkansas into Indian Territory in search of the man who killed her father, Tom Chaney. She hires Marshal Rooster Cogburn to help find him and insists on going along for the ride.

They are joined by LaBoeuf, a Ranger who has been after the same man for months.

The book was first adapted into a film in 1969, starring John Wayne, who won an Oscar for playing Rooster Cogburn.

A sequel followed in 1975, and a made-for-TV version aired in 1978. But it was the 2010 film version that brought the story to a new audience.

Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the new adaptation starred Jeff Bridges as Cogburn, Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie, and Matt Damon as LaBoeuf. The Coens stuck more closely to the original book and told the story from Mattie’s point of view.

Film fans called it one of the greatest Westerns ever made. One person said: “It’s by far the best Western ever made and definitely one of the greatest movies of all time.”

Another wrote: “A masterpiece, plain and simple. Hailee Steinfeld is incredible, and the story moves like Swiss clockwork.”

A third added: “This is a fantastic modern Western. Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon gave great performances.”

The film was a box office success and made more than £200 million worldwide. It was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Bridges, and Best Supporting Actress for Steinfeld.

It also received several BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild nominations and won Best Cinematography at the BAFTAs.

A special edition of the book was released to go with the film and later became a number one New York Times bestseller.

True Grit is available to stream on Prime Video.