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 loved this fictional look at early Texas from the point of view of a traveler who made his living by taking newspapers from town to town and reading them to groups of people as he took on the burden of returning a young girl, kidnapped from her family by Indians, back to her aunts and uncles across the wild and danger fraught territory. This is a new point of view and an exciting and telling story of two people of grit, integrity, and initiative. I really liked the characters.
I loved the relationship between Joanna and Captain Kidd. It was such a sweet book.
did’t care for the story. to slow.
Just couldn’t hold my interest.
Great book. Really interesting.
Having seen the trailer for the movie, knowing this story of an Indian captive forced to reassimmilate into the white world would so be my cuppa, I listened to the audio version on a recent road trip. I was enthralled. I was moved to tears. I laughed a lot (that I did not expect). While the character of Johanna was captivating it is Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd with his unique blend of pragmatism, honor, and compassion, who will stick with me most deeply. This is the story of how two wounded souls fit themselves together in their broken places and found a sense of wholeness.
This is a gem of a novel. Paulette Jiles’s writing is so beautiful and evocative.
This was a wonderful book with great characters.
This is the first of Paulette Giles’ books I’ve read. It was recommended to me by a friend. I enjoyed the story and was very happy with the ending. I absolutely loved the character of Captain Kidd. I also enjoyed the author’s poetic descriptions. She does not use any quotation marks in her writing, and it took me awhile to get used to that. A good story.
I enjoyed learning about the way news was shared in frontier towns. I liked the goodness of the main characters. I was caught up in the story line. It held my interest completely.
A wonderful read and amazing characters. You root for the right ending.
I have read almost all of Paulette Jiles novels. She is always spot on regarding the historical setting of her novels. Her research is excellent and her characters are true to the age they lived in, not 21st century people dressed up in 150 year old costumes. Also, she is a true wordsmith.
I am very familiar with the area that the book is set in. I loved the descriptions of the country side and enjoyed learning more about the natives and non-natives who populated the area.
Sweet little novel that takes place in Texas a few years after the end of the Civil War. An elderly gentleman who makes his living roaming the small town reading the world news to the residents accepts the task of returning a 10 year old girl to her remaining family. She was captured by the Kiowa at age 6, doesn’t remember her previous life or language, and has no desire to leave her adopted people. The relationship that unfolds between the little girl and the old man on the long trip back to her people is delightful. The Aunt and Uncle he delivers her to are horrible people. Is there any justification for ripping her away from all she knows twice in her young life? Is being forced to be a Christian in white society particularly any better for her than being left among the tribes? The author used histories of returned captives to create the personality for the little girl. The movie based on the book – starring Tom Hanks — is supposed to come out in December of this year (assuming the pandemic doesn’t delay it).
I can’t express with words how much I absolutely love this book. I read it in one setting it is so heartwarming and sweet I couldn’t stop listening. I listen to it on audible and the narrator did a great job, but the book was so good I don’t see how a narrator could ruin it. When Captain Kidd agrees to take a sold your home he is I asked to also accompany a little girl home after her family was killed by Indians and she was taken by them. He agrees to take her to her living relatives down to Texas. Because it takes a while and they go through trials and tribulations throughout the journey he comes to care about the girl and when he drops her off with her family he’s not so certain it’s what’s best for her. I love this book so much! It is such an original plot it is so great I just loved it I read it years ago and when I saw it again on bookclub I decided to go and buy it on Audible. It’s that awesome. I highly recommend this book.
Worth the time.
Interesting narrative of culture and adaptation. A very sensitive exploration of the plight of a girl who had been captured by Native Americans and subsequently released. A refreshing read.
The interaction between the two characters was great! I really liked this book
I loved this book. The title is somewhat off-putting and doesn’t grab potential readers. I would not have picked it up had my book club not been reading it for discussion. I was pleasantly surprised; the book was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. I love the characters.
An enjoyable historical fiction book.