From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

News of the World

Paulette Jiles

Start date: March 2, 2017

Why we're reading this: March challenge: a book set in Texas
[close] March challenge: a book set in Texas

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Apr 28, 2017 Cathy rated it really liked it

I have been off Goodreads for a while because I've been pondering how to review this book, which is a story of an older, retired veteran of the Civil War (Captain Kidd) who takes in a young Caucasian girl that was captured by Kiowa when she was very young and is now "free." He travels the length of Texas to return her to her relatives, and in the meanwhile tries to communicate with this young girl, who believes wholeheartedly that she is Kiowa and is being taken from her family. My opinion on th I have been off Goodreads for a while because I've been pondering how to review this book, which is a story of an older, retired veteran of the Civil War (Captain Kidd) who takes in a young Caucasian girl that was captured by Kiowa when she was very young and is now "free." He travels the length of Texas to return her to her relatives, and in the meanwhile tries to communicate with this young girl, who believes wholeheartedly that she is Kiowa and is being taken from her family. My opinion on this book is likely to be unpopular, but nevertheless, it is my opinion. First, we'll start with the pros: This book is beautifully written. Paulette Jiles' prose is delicate, lovely, and accurate. It's really nice to travel through Texas with her as a guide. The main character is written with skill, and I love the Captain's fierceness and clarity, despite how aging is hindering him. I also liked how she built the friendship between Kidd and the little girl. Now, for the cons. I say this with reservation, but I must say it. This is one of the whitest books I've ever read. I say this because I struggled with the depictions of Native Americans, the references to the little girl's "wildness" and the perplexed despair every character felt upon finding that she'd forgotten her whiteness. Along the same lines, I enjoyed the historical references to how lawless Texas was during Reconstruction, but I felt it was a romanticized version of the dying South. I felt like I was being forced to feel that Captain Kidd was noble, and applaud his good deed until he got to the appointed destination. I also just didn't like how he was becoming so miserable and listless as an old man, but that all turned around and he was given a renewed sense of purpose because he was helping this child. It's a rescue story, and while I wanted to like it in a deeper way, I couldn't because it felt contrived and too sweet for me and my understanding of the historical period. So...lovely story, but some points off for a lack of realism. However! If someone can prove to me that Paulette Jiles did oodles of research and her descriptions of the period are spot on and there are credible references, I will amend my review. If not, this grouchy person of color will remain giving a mild side eye to this lovely, but implausible book. ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Alice rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks-count, historical-fiction

One of the best stories I’ve read in a long while. I’m actually listening through a second time for the sheer delight of the dialogue, characters, and action. I’ve laughed out loud and cried too.

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