News of the World by Paulette Jiles is lauded for its evocative prose and rich historical detail, transporting readers to post-Civil War Texas. The emotional journey between Captain Kidd and the young girl captivates many, though some find the pacing uneven. It excels in character development and atmospheric storytelling, making it a recommended read despite minor flaws.

Fans of historical fiction who appreciated the rich detail in Cold Mountain or the journeying narratives found in Lonesome Dove will enjoy News of the World by Paulette Jiles. Ideal for readers who relish character-driven stories set in post-Civil War America, it offers an evocative, emotional tale of redemption and unlikely companionship.

In Paulette Jiles's novel News of the World, 72-year-old Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd is tasked with escorting 10-year-old Johanna Leonberger, who was kidnapped by the Kiowa, from Wichita to her relatives in Castroville, Texas, in 1870. As they navigate the perils of post-Civil War Texas, including bandits and cultural clashes, they form a deep bond that profoundly changes their lives.

Adventurous / Contemplative / Emotional / Bittersweet / Hopeful

- Paulette Jiles' News of the World was a finalist for the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction, highlighting its critical acclaim and literary significance.
- The novel is set in post-Civil War Texas, and Paulette Jiles herself resides in Texas, giving her firsthand insight into the setting's historical and cultural context.
- News of the World was adapted into a 2020 film starring Tom Hanks, which brought the story to a broader audience and earned several Academy Award nominations.

**Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd**  
The 72-year-old protagonist who travels through Texas reading news to people in isolated communities after losing his printing press during the Civil War. A veteran of two wars, he embodies the spirit of the frontier with his education, integrity, and avoidance of vice.

**Johanna Leonberger**  
A 10-year-old girl who identifies more with her Kiowa captors than with her white family and struggles to reintegrate into American society with the Captain's help.

**John Calley**  
A young man in post-war Texas involved in legal matters, who eventually turns his life around and helps the Captain after a legal incident.

**Wilhelm and Anna Leonberger**  
German immigrants living in Texas who show little warmth or emotion when reunited with Johanna.

**Maria Luisa Betancort y Real**  
The Captain's late wife, who came from an old Spanish family, though little is detailed about her in the story.

**Elizabeth and Olympia**  
The Captain's two daughters, with Elizabeth being the industrious one and Olympia overcoming personal struggles.

**Britt Johnson**  
A freed black man who earns a living hauling freight and is a good friend to the Captain, known for his ability to rescue captives.

**Simon Boudlin**  
A fiddler and friend of the Captain’s who, along with his girlfriend Doris, temporarily cares for Johanna.

**Doris Dillon**  
An Irish woman who, along with Simon Boudlin, understands Johanna's cultural dislocation and offers to care for her.

**Almay**  
The antagonist who tries to buy Johanna from the Captain, escalating to a violent confrontation.

**The Horrell Brothers**  
A group of lawless cowboys depicted as violent and uncouth, opposing the Captain and Johanna.

**The Merritt Brothers**  
Educated cowboys who serve as a foil to the Horrell Brothers, aiding the Captain and Johanna.

**Mrs. Gannet**  
A widow in Dallas with whom the Captain is romantically interested, though their relationship never materializes.

**Adolph**  
A German acquaintance warning the Captain about the Leonbergers' poor treatment of Johanna.

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News of the World

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