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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Wonderful entertaining historical fiction during that time period. Know wonder this book became a motion picture.
Great book. Also a very good movie.
Historical.
Great book about the good in a man. I couldn’t put it down.
I have lived in Oklahoma and Texas and love history. There are so many fascinating stories of early settlers and Indians. The author’s research into the time period, the people and the geographic area are excellent and evident. I relished the characters and cultural “norms” of the time period. There is constant tension between good and evil.
I wanted to read this book before seeing the movie. Tom Hanks doesn’t fit my imagination of Captain Kidd, but I’m certain he can pull it off. Another actor who could is Tom Selleck.
I didn’t want the story to end. It was such a relief to have a happy ending!
It isn’t very good writing, but an excellent story.
Among my top five books for the year. Wonderfully told.
This is an exceptional book. Readers already know the backstory—old ex-soldier escorts young girl who was captive of plains Indians back to relatives in Texas. I was captivated by the character development of 70 year old Captain Kidd and 10 year old Johanna. This is definitely not a shoot-em-up western, but is a fascinating novel delivered in reconstruction era Texas. The evolving relationship between the two main characters is well paced and believable. The one major action sequence is so well executed that I went back and read again as I progressed in the novel. I read 3-4 books a week, and recommend this book as the best book I read this year.
An important read.
Why I never read this book before is a mystery to me. It’s absolutely beautiful…the tale of an old man who travels with a young girl who was kidnapped by Indians at the tender age of 6, and what each learns from the other along the way. The writing is mesmerizing and the characters are beautifully drawn. It’s a definite “must read.”
The story just gets warmer and warmer and by the end, I didn’t want to leave these characters.
I hadn’t expected to enjoy this book as much as I did. Having seen the upcoming movie clips, I decided to read the book first. I’m so glad I did. It was heart-warming and touching – a rarity in today’s world of books I’m afraid. Great read.
I often recommend this book to friends. A peek into a little known and meticulously realized piece of 19th century America just after the Civil War. Though a film version will be released soon, you may want to read this gem first.
I loved the book and am anxious to see the movie with Tom Hanks.
The gunfight scene was the funniest I have ever read!
Excellent prose. This is a beautiful book with real characters. I loved it.
Interesting…
Loved the glimpse of a part of our history I never even thought of.
Loved it!! Couldn’t put it down!!
While this story is limited by it’s white is right point of view, it gives some interesting observations about children abducted by Native Americans and how they never were comfortable returning to their birth culture, if “rescued.“ Also, the dialogue is remarkably consistent with how they thought and talked at the time. I enjoyed this