In Post Civil War, 70 year old Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, an aging widower travels around Texas reading various newspapers to audiences to earn money. In Wichita Falls he is offered money to deliver a 10 year old orphan, Joanna to her Aunt and Uncle in San Antonio. He accepts only because he feels he has the best chance of keeping her safe and not arousing a scandal. Since he is elderly, it is unlikely that he would be accused of impropriety like a younger man could.
Joanna’s farm was raided by a band of Kiowa. They kill both of her parents and sister and kidnapped her four years prior. She no longer know English nor basic manners of Texas society like how to eat with a fork.
In ‘News of the World’ we follow Captain Kidd and Joanna in their struggle to work their way to San Antonio. In just about every city they stop, Kidd reads the news to audiences eager to hear what is going on in faraway places. He also helps Joanna learn English again and proper manners for a young lady. They face a lot of danger along the way including threat of a Kiowa attack and men who would love a 10 year old girl for their brothels.
As they get closer to their final destination Captain Kidd begins to wonder if Joanna’s aunt and uncle will adopt her as one of their own or set her up for the rest of her childhood to work for them. Will she be well treated or become their property?
Though this book was a bit uneven for me, I ultimately enjoyed it. It is full of adventure and I loved the relationship that grew between Captain Kidd and Joanna. I recommend this book for readers who enjoy historical fiction and westerns.
I received the eBook via Edelweiss for my honest review.
4/5
About Paulette Jiles
Paulette Jiles is an American poet and novelist. Born in Salem, Missouri, she was educated at the University of Missouri with a degree in Romance Languages. Jiles lives in the Texas Hill Country on a small ranch.
