News of the World by Paulette Jiles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Date read: February 9 to 12, 2017
What an emotional journey this book took me on! I am absolutely spent after reading this novel!
NEWS OF THE WORLD by PAULETTE JILES was a uniquely written historical fiction novel that takes you on a 400-mile long adventurous and sometimes dangerous journey across the state of Texas in 1870 after the American Civil War.
Reading this book via e-book THE COVER and TITLE did not come into play for me as it was chosen solely to be read on the recommendation of my sister, Brenda. Although, I do find both the cover and title to be extremely fitting for this book.
The CHARACTERS, 71 year old respectable Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd who travels Texas to read the NEWS OF THE WORLD to a paying audience and scared, lonely, and unsettled 10-year old Johanna who is learning to cope in her new surroundings. Through the kindness and goodness of Captain Kidd they form a relationship that bonds them together by love, trust, responsibility and understanding.
PAULETTE JILES delivers an impressive and descriptive story here that was at times a little hard for me to read, as I found the pacing a little bit slow at times. For me living out in the country on a ranch and having a real cowboy as a husband this book took me to places that were familiar to me and have learned about through the stories that were shared to me by my husband and his family. I really liked Captain Kidd’s description of the people who are called “cowboys”, an “occupational speciality”. I shared that one with him…..lol
What I particularly loved about this book was THE ENDING as it was one of those books for me that made me realize that everything I just read was absolutely beautiful.
To sum it all up it was an endearing, steady-paced, and an easy read with a very satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
Penny For Our Thoughts 