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    News of the World: A Novel
    News of the World: A Novel
    News of the World: A Novel
    Audiobook6 hours

    News of the World: A Novel

    Written by Paulette Jiles

    Narrated by Grover Gardner

    4.5/5

    ()

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    About this audiobook

    Soon to be a Major Motion Picture

    National Book Award Finalist—Fiction

    In the aftermath of the Civil War, 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 novel of historical fiction from the author of Enemy Women that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.

    In the wake of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd travels through northern Texas, giving live readings from newspapers to paying audiences hungry for news of the world. An elderly widower who has lived through three wars and fought in two of them, the captain enjoys his rootless, solitary existence.

    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.

    Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forming a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

    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.

    Cover Image © 2020 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateAug 25, 2020
    ISBN9780063041554
    Author

    Paulette Jiles

    Paulette Jiles is a novelist, poet, and memoirist. She is the author of Cousins, a memoir, and the novels Enemy Women, Stormy Weather, The Color of Lightning, Lighthouse Island, Simon the Fiddler, and News of the World, which was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award. She lives on a ranch near San Antonio, Texas.

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    Reviews for News of the World

    4.5/5

    2,131 ratings200 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a heartwarming and interesting story set in the tradition of great Westerns. The writing is well-crafted and the audio narration is superb. The book captures the readers' attention and is difficult to put down. It offers a captivating and captivating story with memorable characters and a sense of time and place. While there are some dry sections and predictable plot elements, overall it is an enjoyable and satisfying read. The book is praised for its descriptive narrative and compelling storytelling. It is recommended for fans of historical fiction and those who appreciate a unique and well-drawn main characters.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      I’m new to listening to audiobooks. The description in colorful detail allowed me to visualize the story better than seeing the movie.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      A great book about friendship and family. A western for those people who don't like westerns. A man is hired to transport a girl who had been kidnapped by Indians across a post Civil War Texas to her remaining family.

      A great narration. There is an author interview at the end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It swept me up and kept my interest to the end.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Am a great fan of historical content, was already excited when I heard the narrator mentioned it happened during the 1800s, just by the mention of that I was already hooked.

      And continuing with the story, where we see captain Jefferson taking responsibility for young Johanna by agreeing to take her to her relatives, and on arrival, the captain is faced with the predicament of whether to live her in the hands of her estranged relatives. This story is worth reading and deserves a movie too.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Just beautiful! I loved every moment of it and it was read perfectly.
      Well done! Whilst I know the film often changes the story for more drama - I’m trusting that Tom Hanks will ensure the authenticity of the author’s words and the haunting rhythm of the reader’s tenderness.
      I loved this story truly and deeply.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book...I listened to it in one day! It’s a beautiful love story and even though it takes place in the 1800’s...to me it’s messages are very relevant today. Kindness, loyalty, compassion & morality shine through. The bond between the most unlikely pair (a young traumatized girl and a lonely, honourable aging wandering man) will warm the heart of all who are lucky enough to find this book. Brilliant writing and narration. I also enjoyed the freedom, trials and adventures they faced...I couldn’t stop listening! We all have many decisions to make along our life path...and we are reminded of the best way to be towards others and of what is truly important. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      If you get half way through this and are trying to decide whether to finish, take heart. The second half moves faster than the first half.Of course it would have been nice if the German hadn't been so bad. For example: Obers (cream) and über (over) are not the same thing at all, and people from the Western edge of Germany would not have used Obers anyway.
    • 5/5
      A very enjoyable short fiction work, made into a popular movie, featuring the journey of an old man who is asked to return a girl rescued from captivity to her remaining family in the years following the Civil War. An excellent description of the Texas frontier at the time, and a heart-warming story of the relationship that developed between the two.
    • 2/5
      It's a breezy read and the characters are perhaps a bit more developed than in the movie adaptation but frankly there's not much more to find here, having seen the feature. No True Grit.
    • 5/5
      This is a good book. Quiet, full of heart, and good for the soul.
    • 5/5
      A lovely story and beautiful writing.
    • 5/5
      Saw thw movie with Tom hanks. Good job following this book. Good listen.
    • 4/5
      News of the World is a sweet story about the relationship that develops between Johanna, a scared 10-year-old girl captured by then rescued from the Kiowa tribe, and 71-year-old Captain Kidd, who is charged with returning her to her relatives. I enjoyed reading it.
    • 5/5
      In the tradition of the great Westerns, the author’s sweeping and poetic, yet concrete and unpretentious language carries this tender story as a gentle mare bears her faithful rider. Through unforgiving terrain, danger, and lawlessness I loved every moment of traveling with the Captain and Johanna. The narrator’s voice is a pleasing, resonant baritone. Easy to listen to, easy to love.
    • 5/5
      Beautifully written, wonderfully narrated. Great sense of time and place. Plenty to think about!
    • 5/5
      Captivating story. You can’t help but love the Captain and Johanna.
    • 4/5
      Good audio book due to the amount of conversations and the dialects spoken. I was struggling with the written work, so happy I found on audio.
    • 5/5
      Very satisfying story with unique well drawn main characters, read in just the right way.
    • 5/5
      I love historical fiction. I moved to Texas 27 years ago and fell in love with its history. I had no idea that there was someone that traveled to small towns and read the news of the world to anyone that would attend. From the beginning, as the story progressed, it was like I was personally traveling with the captain from town to town. I so enjoyed, and cried, throughout this journey. Thank you Paulette for bringing us this. Wonderful book.
    • 5/5
      Amazing story. I was hesitating between watching the movie (Starring Tom Hanks) and reading the book but I chose to read the book (since I'm not the kind of people who can do both, I get bored by repetition) and I don't regret it.
    • 5/5
      A very excellent exciting book that held my attention all the way thru!
    • 4/5
      This book captured me. It is a wonderful story and that’s saying a lot considering how particular I am. It was intriguing and was very difficult to put down for any reason.
    • 5/5
      This book captured me. It is a wonderful story and that’s saying a lot considering how particular I am. It was intriguing and was very difficult to put down for any reason.
    • 4/5
      Wow..we really need things like this.i really love this audiobook
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable tale beautifully narrated with a perfect voice. A very sympathetic main character , interesting side characters and incidents. A bit predictable in plot.
    • 5/5
      Gripping storyline. Easy to get lost in the words imagining the events as you listen.
    • 5/5
      Heartwarming and interesting! Well worth reading or listening in audio version. So I will share this book and look forward to finding more from this author.
    • 5/5
      Beautiful heartfelt story that is so succinct in its story telling. It packs so much compelling humanity into a short novel.

      “Kep-dun” Kidd and Johanna’s bond & found family are delightful travel companions.
    • 5/5
      A superb descriptive narrative along with a most compelling story!
    • 5/5
      First a great narration. Then prosaic story lines. No gimmicks. Just a wonderful yarn. A relief.