Soon to be a Major Motion Picture
National Book Award Finalist—Fiction
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.… the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.
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.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional story of a little girl captured by Native Americans in Texas (inspired by real stories.) The elderly man who agrees to take her home on a dangerous 400 mile journey reminded me of the rangers in Lonesome Dove (a high compliment indeed.) This is Paulette’s best work to date and has appeared on several Best of 2016 lists. It’s one of my favorite books this year.
Set in Texas during the restoration period after the civil war, it’s about senior citizen newsreader who gets saddled with a 10 year old girl who was stolen by Comanches and rescued four years later. Such a great book, and if you’re from Texas, you will recognize the old routes through the state. Really loved this one
What a character. Captain Jefferson Kidd is one I won’t forget. What humor, decency, generosity, and ingenuity. This is a magnificent little book.
In the aftermath of the Civil War, a seventy-something year-old man — who makes a living by reading newspapers aloud — journeys 400 miles with a child who was taken captive by a group of Kiowas. It’s as strange a combination as it sounds.
The adventure was reminiscent to me of The Road, without all the bleakness, and with a dash of Indiana Jones-esque gunslinging. It’s immersive, sweet, and spotted with humor.
Historical fiction at its finest. Jiles imbues every page with an undeniable sense of place, and the characters she sends on this dangerous journey will keep an unbreakable hold on your heart long after you turn the final page.
I will remember this book for a long time. It’s safe to say that this has become one of my all time favorites. Do you like westerns? Then you’ll love this book. Do you shy away from westerns? Then this book is for you, too. It is charming and a jewel of a story. The characters are believable and human and touching. You will love the interaction between the two main characters. I cannot recommend his book enough.
This book taught me a piece of history I didn’t know much about, which I always appreciate. I could tell that the author did her research, because the details were rich and realistic. The two main characters in the book and their circumstances were so well crafted I felt like I was in the wagon with them, and I rooted for both with all my heart as follows their dangerous adventure. The ending truly took my breath away. I’m not normally a historical fiction fan but this story had plenty of current-day themes (family, belonging) to make it feel fresh. A truly enjoyable read.
One of the best books I’ve read in the last few years. It deserves more than five stars for the beauty of its writing.
I highly recommend this book. The characters were fascinating. Definitely not a predictable plot! After I finished it, I found myself thinking about it for days.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. The characters are realistic and indelibly drawn. The attention to historical accuracy is extraordinary, and the narrative draws the reader into the journey.
News of the World follows Captain Kidd as he brings a former ten-year-old Kiowa captive, Johanna, to be with her extended family. Captain Kidd travels through a dangerous post Civil War Texas reading newspapers to small towns and communists to earn money. The writing is great. The details and research that went into the book show. This book is much more than just a Western. Other reviewers have described this as a jewel and I have to agree.
This is a story of a newspaper reader who has been retained to return a young girl to family after being rescued from Indians in Texas. I liked it because it showed how the captured children do not want to be returned and do not feel like they are part of the white world any longer.
I bought this book as an audio for my book club. When I read the blurb, I thought, ugh! It sounded like one of my grandpa’s old westerns, and I thought I would be bored to tears, but I also read that Tom Hanks was due to play Captain Kidd’s part, and so away I listened…. I was intrigued from the very first paragraph as the history of Texas unfolded through the eyes of the older gentleman and war veteran, Captain Kidd. Traveling around from town to town reading the news, this old-timer was the equivalent of today’s social media. Picking and choosing newsworthy stories to tell the people from near and far, he brought more to the patrons than what news he read from the papers. Kidd was recognized as entertainment and enlightenment for rural populations, that were still trying to find their footing during a post civil war Texas. He read to people of all classes, and the fee was only a dime. After losing his print shop and taking to the road, he finds himself burdened with the task of helping a young ten-year-old girl return to her German family near San Antonio. The journey is long and the trials of their travels are many. I thought the description of the night sky, the Irish woman’s explanation of the girl’s psyche, and the way the captain assessed his role as a messenger in life are wonderful highlights in the book, showcasing the authors talents. Her ability to balance history, story and description of the landscape and it’s inhabitants was five star!
A great Western set after the Civil War. Wonderful characters and a terrific “journey’ tale. Highly recommend!
“News of the World,” by Paulette Jiles, was published in 2016. This is a lovely book with a compelling story arc. The tale unfolds along a four-hundred mile swath of Post-Civil War Texas. Regular readers of my reviews might care to take note: This is not a dark, grim story, nor is it a difficult read. My eighty-five year old mother loves this novel. This is not to say that everything in “News of the World” is yellow posies and sunshine. There is a wide streak of American Gothic woven through this novel. And, at two hundred and nine pages, “News of the World” is not a long literary commitment.
“News of the World” is a deceptively simple novel; the story is clear and concise. Despite the brevity of the novel, or perhaps because of it, the tale is compelling. Ms. Jiles has crafted a story that makes one want to read slowly, and, at the same time, quickly. The basic underpinnings are those of a Buddy Story: an unlikely pair of travelers are thrown together on a dangerous path. It is an archetypal tale, one that our prehistoric ancestors told around the firelight in snug, warm caves. The story revolves around two main characters: our pair of unlikely buddies.
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd roams northern Texas with a satchel full of newspapers from around the world. He reads the news aloud to eager small town audiences. Admission to a reading is a dime a pop. Capt. Kidd (wink-wink) is an aging veteran of two wars, set in his ways and happy with them.
As a very small girl, Johanna was orphaned by the Kiowa raiders who killed her family. She was taken by the Kiowa and raised by them. A hard life amongst the plains Indians is all the ten-year old girl knows. Recaptured by the US Cavalry, Johanna is tended to by well-meaning townsfolk who want to be rid of her. They offer Capt. Kidd fifty dollars in gold to return the young girl to her distant (and unknown) relatives San Antonio.
Therein we have the elements of the story. There is an aging man who enjoys his quiet life, a half-savage girl who upsets Capt. Kidd’s life on an hourly basis, and a four hundred mile stretch of bad road. Throw in a fifty-dollar gold piece and there is enough bait to attract predators. In the hands of a less adept writer, this could be the makings of a pulp fiction. Fortunately, under Ms. Jiles deft touch, the tale is compelling, heart-warming, and rewarding.
Recommended reading, and yes, I used the words “Heart-warming” in a review. It is a red-letter day, to be sure.
I loved this book. Unforgettable characters, history, adventure, beautiful prose all in one. I was struck by the fact that news was once so hard to come by, that people would pay to sit and listen to someone read the news from a newspaper, when today we are bombarded by electronic news and information 24/7. I enjoyed being returned to the past when life was harsh, yet simpler. I loved Doris’s impression of Johanna as an elf, a fairy, one that is not real and not not-real. A girl torn from both worlds she had ever known to become something “other.” And Captain Kidd is forever etched in my memory, for his humanity, his commitment, his compassion and love.
Great book–Loved the capitan & Johannah! Their relationship was so sweet.
One of the best books I have read for a long time. Great characters, setting, very well written. I will be looking for more books by this author.
This book would make a great movie. Weaves together multiple lesser-known aspects of the post civil war south (specifically Texas) that come together in a very
fulfilling way. I was sad to say goodbye to the principal characters at its conclusion.
Beautifully written and a fascinating perspective on human nature