News of the World

by Paulette Jiles
News of the World cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1561
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780062409225
  • Publisher: HarperCollins
  • Published: 2016-10-04
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 3
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Format • £16.14

Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, an aging news reader, travels through post-Civil War Texas, bringing the world to audiences eager for connection. When he accepts a $50 gold piece to deliver a young orphan, Johanna, to her relatives in San Antonio, he embarks on a 400-mile journey fraught with danger and uncertainty. Johanna, raised by the Kiowa after her family was killed, struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and the English language, testing the captain's patience and resolve. As they journey through unsettled territory, a tentative bond forms between the two, marking the difference between life and death in this treacherous land. Upon arrival in San Antonio, the reunion with Johanna's aunt and uncle is far from welcoming, forcing the captain to confront a moral dilemma that could change their lives forever.

Reviews
Joe's Notes Blog · 2021-06-06
engaging 4.50

The characters are vivid and relatable, making the story engaging and emotional. The reviewer highly recommends this book for its compelling narrative.

The reviewer found the characters in 'News of the World' to be vivid and relatable, which made the story deeply engaging. They experienced a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, and felt that the book never had a dull moment. The reviewer highly recommends this book for its compelling narrative and emotional depth. They appreciated the way the story was crafted, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The characters are vivid and relatable and there is never a dull moment.

    I laughed, I cried and I highly recommend this book.

    It is much more than just a story; it's an experience.

Book Snob · 2017-08-06
beautiful 4.75

The book is beautifully and sensitively written, making it a joy to read. The reviewer loved every moment and is eager to read more of the author's work.

The reviewer was captivated by the beautiful and sensitive writing in 'News of the World'. They found the story to be a joy to read and loved every moment of it. The reviewer is eager to explore more of the author's work, highlighting the impact the book had on them. They believe that even those who might be hesitant about the subject matter will find the book compelling.

Quick quotes

    It's beautifully, sensitively written, and I loved every moment.

    I can't wait to read more of Jiles' work, and even if you think the subject ...

    The prose is so evocative and the characters so well-drawn.

The New York Times · 2016-10-12
exquisite 4.25

The story is exquisitely rendered and morally complex, offering a multilayered narrative. The bond between the characters is a highlight of the book.

The reviewer praised 'News of the World' for its exquisite rendering and moral complexity. They found the multilayered narrative to be a standout feature of the book. The bond between the characters, particularly the unlikely companions, was highlighted as a significant aspect that enriches the story. The reviewer appreciated the depth and intricacy of the relationships portrayed in the novel.

Quick quotes

    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 ...

    The bond between the two protagonists is both tender and profound.

    Jiles's prose is spare yet evocative, capturing the essence of the American frontier.

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