About:
News of the World by Paulette Jiles is a novel taking place in Texas around 1870. This book is a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award in Fiction.
My rating for News of the World – 5
Buy News of the World from Amazon.com*
Buy News of the World from HarperCollins
More Books by Paulette Jiles
Thoughts:
News of the World by Paulette Jiles is a wonderful, well written novel with engaging characters and a fascinating historical story. I enjoyed reading the book which combines a great narrative, with humor and insights.
The book moves at an even, deliberate speed. The storytelling is not fast, but not crawling either, a pace I would imagine Texas moves to and always has been. The author captures the time of the country abided by its own unwritten laws, enforced by rough quite men.
Most of the story is told from the perspective of Captain Jefferson Kidd, a man who rides around with newspapers reading the news to rural folks. Captain Kidd has been paid to take a small child with him back to her family after she has been kidnapped, and raised, by Native Americans.
This is not the Wild West that movies and TV shows had led us to believe existed, but a more subdued, slower and personal. Ms Jiles wrote a wonderful western which feels authentic, warm yet unforgiving.
Synopsis:
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, an elderly widower, travels through Texas in 1870 reading papers to paying audiences hungry for news. Captain Kidd is offered $50 in gold to get a young orphan to her relatives 400 miles away.
Johanna was kidnapped by Native Americans who killed her family, however at 10 years old, her adopted family, adopted language, and culture is all she knows. Johanna refuses to act as “civilized” society expects her to and will not make Captain Kidd’s job easier.
Buy News of the World from Amazon.com*
Buy News of the World from HarperCollins
More Books by Paulette Jiles
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free from TLC Book Tours
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
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Captain Kidd's job is one I had never thought of before, but it makes a lot of sense in that time period. I'm looking forward to reading this book!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Actually, the Wildwest did, indeed, exist just, apparently, not where they were.
I would like to read this book. I wish I had seen this article sooner.