News Of The World by Paulette Jiles

News Of The World by Paulette Jiles – Audio

Book Blurb:

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, an aging itinerant news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people in this morally complex, multi-layered novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust. 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. 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.

My Review: 4 stars

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News Of The World follows retired US Army Captain Jefferson Kidd returning a young girl, who believes she is Kiawah, back to her remaining family in San Antonio. The landscape of post Civil War Texas is daunting during the 1870s as it’s no longer part of the Union. The land is peppered with continued Indian raids and discord between the Confederates and the Yankees that remain.

This book, at a slight 209 pages, offers succinct writing that tells so much more than what’s imaginable in its compact size. I listened to the audio version, which was amazingly well narrated. The main protagonist, Captain Kidd, was a public newsreader. He traveled the plains and for a dime, read the news that covered many areas outside of Texas. This was advantageous to the reader as it allowed us to get a glimpse of what was happening around the world during this time period.

The relationship between Captain Kidd and Johanna was tender and smart. Their relationship started with apprehension and fear, as there was a large language barrier and no trust between them. Over time that changed to one of respect as a grandfather and granddaughter would have. I loved their journey as they grew and conquered the plains.

This novel was nominated for the 2016 National Book Award. I wish I’d read it sooner. For those who enjoy the historical fiction genre, American Indians and the fall out after the Civil War, this is for you.

Quotes I liked:

Laughter is good for the soul and all your interior works.”

-“If people had true knowledge of the world perhaps they would not take up arms and so perhaps he could be an aggregator of information from distant places and then the world would be a more peaceful place.

-“The baseline of human life was courage.”