Reviews

Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles

llwooldridge's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sthielking's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.5

ccrogers's review against another edition

5.0

This one left me with a book hangover. I want to know what happens after the story ended. Loved the characters and the events!

Having lived in deep, south Texas in this century, reading a story set there in the past was a wonderful way to imagine it’s history. Not much is written about the wild land south of San Antonio.

sillytothejoe's review against another edition

4.0

I could have gone higher or lower than this. The bits that I loved (the descriptions of how Simon thought about music for instance) I REALLY loved, but the bits I didn’t I REALLY didn’t. It felt like the novel really leaned into some western tropes in places that the superior News of the World subverted them.

hollyg35's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

sarahmulford's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

pumpkinsoup1162's review against another edition

5.0

In a style reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses, but perhaps not as dark, Simon the Fiddler is a meandering adventure through Texas at the end of the Civil War. Love the friendships that are built and a long-distance undercover love developed through letters. By hook or by crook Simon and gang survive extreme poverty through creativity and music.

kylafrank14's review against another edition

4.0

3.5. I liked News of the World much more. This was still good.

timetoread_more2022's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

kat2's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A tremendously entertaining account of a musician at the close of the Civil War. Set in Texas, the novel follows Simon (the fiddler) as he seeks food, shelter, clothing, money, and love during a dangerous, lawless time.