Norwood, Charles Portisâs first novel, displayed right out of the gate the wit, style, and singular voice that made him one of our great American writers. Out of the Neon Desert of Roller Dromes, chili parlors, the Grand Ole Opry, and girls who
want âto live in a trailer and play records all nightâ comes ex-marine and troubadour Norwood Pratt. Sent on a mission to New York by Grady Fring, the Kredit King, Norwood has visions of âspeeding across the country in a late model
car, seeing all the sights.â By the time he returns home to Ralph, Texas, Norwood has met his true love, Rita Lee, on a Trailway bus; befriended Edmund B. Ratner, the self-described âworldâs smallest perfect manâ; and helped Joann, âthe chicken
with a college education,â realize her true potential in life. As with all of Portisâs fiction, the tone is cool, sympathetic, funny, and undeniably American.