News of the World
by Paulette Jiles (Goodreads Author)
In the aftermath of the Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this exquisitely rendered, morally complex, multilayered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.
Brina rated it
Elyse Walters rated it
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it
Diane S ☔ rated it
In the wake of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings from newspapers to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence.
In Wichita Falls, he is offered a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan to her relatives in San Antonio. Four years earlier, a band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna’s parents and sister; sparing the little girl, they raised her as one of their own. Recently rescued by the U.S. army, the ten-year-old has once again been torn away from the only home she knows.
Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forming a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.
Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember—strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. A respectable man, Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become—in the eyes of the law—a kidnapper himself.
Community Reviews
4.07 · 57,557 ratings · 8,574 reviews
Angela M rated it
Shelves: edelweiss-reviews
I don't know why I didn't give this 5 stars to begin with but I have now . Every once in a while a character comes along that leaves that indelible mark on my heart that will make me think about them for a long time and think that if this were a real person, I'd want them... Read full review
Will Byrnes rated it
The Latest News and Articles from the Major JournalsCaptain Jefferson Kyle Kidd is in his early 70s. He sports a shock of white hair... Read full review
Of The Civilized Word
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd Will Read a Compendium
From Selected Newspapers
At 8: 00 P.M. At The Broadway Playhouse
Brina rated it
over 3 years ago
Shelves: historical-fiction
It is 1870. Reconstruction era Texas is governed by a combination of outlaws and bandits and bordered on by Native Americans. Enter Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd. A veteran of three wars, he uses both his position as a war hero and Texas' isolation from the rest of the coun... Read full review
PirateSteve rated it
Try not to mourn the demise of Penelope and Amelia. "Iss the song and the sigh of the willy" and laff-ter is so good for the soul.
Weather you measure time with a gold watch or the click, click, click sound of a broken wheel...
Spend as much time as possible with someone... Read full review
Weather you measure time with a gold watch or the click, click, click sound of a broken wheel...
Spend as much time as possible with someone... Read full review
Jen rated it
Shelves: 5-star-favourites
Magnificent. I was rendered speechless upon finishing. Needed time to dry my tears and gather my thoughts.
What an adventure this was to read.
Captain Kidd is a seasoned man who reads the world news to towns and village folk in 1870. An ambitious illusion he has created in... Read full review
What an adventure this was to read.
Captain Kidd is a seasoned man who reads the world news to towns and village folk in 1870. An ambitious illusion he has created in... Read full review
Elyse Walters rated it
over 3 years ago
The year is 1870. The Civil War has ended.
"News of the World" is a heartfelt story.
A young 10 year girl, Johanna, gets introduced to Captain Kidd, in Wichita Falls.
Their relationship together - and their journey together is genuinely beautiful!
The author, Paulette Jiles... Read full review
"News of the World" is a heartfelt story.
A young 10 year girl, Johanna, gets introduced to Captain Kidd, in Wichita Falls.
Their relationship together - and their journey together is genuinely beautiful!
The author, Paulette Jiles... Read full review
Annet rated it
Shelves: history , classics , favorites , wow-impressive , beautiful-poetic , have-to-read-again , age-ing , coming-of-age , wisdom-philosophical , gritty , family-ties , charming
To comfort himself and slow down his mind he thought of his time as a courier, a runner, and Maria Luisa and his daughters. Maybe life is just carrying news. Surviving to carry the news. Maybe we have just one message, and it is delivered to us when we are born and we are... Read full review
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it
over 2 years ago
Shelves: library-book
I would never have read this book if it wasn't for one of my groups pick for a badge.
I thought it was really sweet.
The story of a man and a little girl. Bittersweet and brought a tear to my eye. A happy tear. Enough said.
Mel 💕 Read full review
I thought it was really sweet.
The story of a man and a little girl. Bittersweet and brought a tear to my eye. A happy tear. Enough said.
Mel 💕 Read full review
Diane S ☔ rated it
over 3 years ago
This book dang near broke my heart...... but in a good way and solely due to the authors expertise in creating two wonderful characters with a unique relationship. captain Kidd, travels Northern Texas as a news reader, in post Civil War, Texas. He is offered a tidy sum to... Read full review
Lyn rated it
A very good book.
Paulette Jiles 2016 novel about a traveling news reader in 1870 who comes across a child needing to be brought home to her family in the semi-wilds of northern Texas was a gem. Good enough to garner a National Book Award nomination and five stars from thi... Read full review
Paulette Jiles 2016 novel about a traveling news reader in 1870 who comes across a child needing to be brought home to her family in the semi-wilds of northern Texas was a gem. Good enough to garner a National Book Award nomination and five stars from thi... Read full review
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