''Norwood'' is the first novel written by author

Charles Portis Charles McColl Portis (December 28, 1933 – February 17, 2020) was an American author best known for his novels '' Norwood'' (1966) and the classic Western ''True Grit'' (1968), both adapted as films. The latter also inspired a film sequel and ...

. It was published in 1966 by

Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster () is an American publishing company and a subsidiary of Paramount Global. It was founded in New York City on January 2, 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. As of 2016, Simon & Schuster was the third largest publ ...

. The book follows its namesake protagonist on a misadventurous road trip from his hometown of Ralph, Texas, to New York City and back. During the trip, Norwood is exposed to a comic array of personalities and lifestyles. The novel is a noteworthy example of Portis's particular skill rendering Southern dialect and conversation. ''Norwood'' is included in the

Library of America The Library of America (LOA) is a nonprofit publisher of classic American literature. Founded in 1979 with seed money from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Ford Foundation, the LOA has published over 300 volumes by authors rangi ...

of Portis' ''Collected Works.'' The novel was adapted for a 1970 film of the same title.

Jack Haley, Jr. John Joseph Haley III (October 25, 1933 – April 21, 2001), known as Jack Haley Jr., was an American director, producer and writer, and a two-time recipient of the Emmy Award. His credits include directing the 1974 compilation film ''That's Ente ...

directed, and

Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting ''The Glen Campbell Goodt ...

and

Kim Darby Kim Darby (born Deborah Zerby; July 8, 1947) is an American actress best known for her role as Mattie Ross in the film ''True Grit'' (1969). Early life and film career Darby was born Deborah Zerby in Los Angeles, the daughter of professional da ...

starred.

Characters

Some characters and related events are described, below, using in-universe tone. *Norwood Pratt, recently returned home on special discharge from the Marines. He is an employee of Nipper Independent Oil Company and Servicenter. *Vernell Pratt, Norwood's sister, widely regarded as not quite fit to care for herself, hence Norwood's special discharge. At Norwood's arranging, employee of the New Ralph Hotel Coffee Shop. *Joe William Reese, a Marine buddy, originally from Arkansas but living in New York. Owes Norwood $70. *Bill Bird, an older, retired veteran (regular army). After a brief courtship at the New Ralph Hotel Coffee Shop, marries Vernell, moves into the Pratt home. *Grady Fring (The Kredit King), a disbarred lawyer, shyster, and car hustler. Convinces Norwood to drive an Oldsmobile 98 (with a Pontiac Catalina in tow) to New York City. *Yvonne Phillips, Norwood's unrequested passenger on the road trip to New York. Norwood and Yvonne part ways when Norwood abandons the cars and instead completes the trip by hitchhiking, trainhopping, and more-legitimately arranged train passage. *Dave Heineman, an undermotivated freelance travel writer, New York resident, and one-time friend of Joe William. *Rita Lee Chipman, estranged wife-to-be of a Marine named Wayne. She meets Norwood on his bus ride back to Ralph. The two take a romantic interest in each other. *Edmund B. Ratner, "the world's smallest perfect ''fat'' man." He opens Norwood's eyes to certain of society's slights against midget culture. Expresses sympathy for Joann the Wonder Hen, The College Educated Chicken, liberated from her servitude by Norwood and company.

Critical reception

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' wrote that "Norwood is just simple enough to be believable and the story has just the right brand of humor." ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' called the book "delightfully original," writing that it "orchestrates some of the tinnier strains of today's America into a cool little fugue."

References

{{reflist

External links

IMDB entry for film adaptation
1966 American novels Novels by Charles Portis American novels adapted into films