lwhite52's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rebeccatc's review
5.0
News of the World is a classic western that I found to be delightful. Veteran Captain Jeff Kidd agrees to transport ten year old Johanna, who was recently recovered from the Indian tribe that kidnapped her when she was six, four hundred miles through Texas to her relatives. Their adventures made this book hard to put down, it had a humorous side, and the story of a lonely old man helping a traumatized child was heartwarming. The only thing I didn't love about this book was the lack of quotation marks for the dialogue, which I find distracting. Highly recommended.
the_weirdling's review
4.0
Like most westerns you know how this is going to play out somewhere at the end of the first act. But, like all good westerns, there is something enjoyable about the way you get there- the steady pace, the characters, the small events and characters along the way, the execution of the tale that brings the resolution you always knew was going to come. This is one of the better westerns published in the last few years. Very enjoyable.
tracybabler's review
4.0
Notes for book club:
This is such an interesting book. There is lots of dialogue, but no quotation marks.
I believe this is an omniscient narrator and I can't remember that last book I've read that employs that POV. Combined with the lack of puntuation, it was tricky to follow in spots.
The wrap-up chapter was so unusal. I didn't even remember some of the characters revisited.
But none of this is negative. Just different.
The characters were wonderful.
This is such an interesting book. There is lots of dialogue, but no quotation marks.
I believe this is an omniscient narrator and I can't remember that last book I've read that employs that POV. Combined with the lack of puntuation, it was tricky to follow in spots.
The wrap-up chapter was so unusal. I didn't even remember some of the characters revisited.
But none of this is negative. Just different.
The characters were wonderful.
johanna620's review
5.0
Did my best not to cry in the backseat as I finished this during my trip to Colorado. Loved Captain Kidd and Johanna; they were funny and true to themselves and you wouldn't want to mess with them! A quick journey story that represented a time and place I knew little about. Loved!
hannahcfarley's review
4.0
This quick read was well worth the time I spent reading it. The story of a news-teller and a young girl traveling through Texas told of the hardships and tribulations one would face during this particular time period. The plot was excellent and kept me wrapped in the story. However, full disclosure, I did watch the movie prior to reading the book (not knowing the book even existed) and was very happily pleased. Once I finished the book, I found that it was a bit easier to formulate imagery in my mind of what was playing out on the page. The book is well-written and suitable for ages older than 14. I was able to set this book down and pick it up in another hour, not feeling like I had missed a beat, as the writing flowed together so well and stayed in my mind.
kriste's review
4.0
Interesting historical book. Cicada - ha ha - and reading just portions of the news to avoid conflict - timely!
jcarsrud's review
4.0
I didn’t know I liked westerns! I really enjoyed this book and want to see Tom Hanks as Captain!
kandicez's review
5.0
This book was a marvel. I was reminded, from page one, of the story of Cynthia Ann Parker/Naduah and [a:Lucia St. Clair Robson|96160|Lucia St. Clair Robson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1204921638p2/96160.jpg]'s [b:Ride the Wind|165446|Ride the Wind|Lucia St. Clair Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320493238l/165446._SY75_.jpg|159741]. I was surprised when Parker was mentioned by name, and I have to admit that made it easier to read. I did not want to read a rehash of that sad tale.
Captain Kidd, a man who makes his living reading news from the world across the United States, is charged with returning a young girl to her birth family. The girl was abducted by the Kiowa tribe at the age of six and in the few years she has lived with them has become Kiowa herself. She is given no choice in the matter, and you can bet this is not the choice she would have made.
Kidd slowly befriends and then begins to love the little girl, and is emotionally torn over his task.
These stories are so incredibly hard to read. You feel for the families that lost their children, of course, but you also begin to realize they are not the same people anymore. Even when these captives were given back to their families eventually (not always) it becomes apparent that this is a no-win situation. All you can do is feel badly for everyone involved.
The story was told in sparse language that added a feeling if authenticity. Despite making his living with words, Kidd is not a big talker, so the narrative style fit perfectly. I was happy with the ending, and very relieved to realize I was reading fiction.
Captain Kidd, a man who makes his living reading news from the world across the United States, is charged with returning a young girl to her birth family. The girl was abducted by the Kiowa tribe at the age of six and in the few years she has lived with them has become Kiowa herself. She is given no choice in the matter, and you can bet this is not the choice she would have made.
Kidd slowly befriends and then begins to love the little girl, and is emotionally torn over his task.
These stories are so incredibly hard to read. You feel for the families that lost their children, of course, but you also begin to realize they are not the same people anymore. Even when these captives were given back to their families eventually (not always) it becomes apparent that this is a no-win situation. All you can do is feel badly for everyone involved.
The story was told in sparse language that added a feeling if authenticity. Despite making his living with words, Kidd is not a big talker, so the narrative style fit perfectly. I was happy with the ending, and very relieved to realize I was reading fiction.
cconifer86's review
5.0
It’s been a while since a book brought happy tears to my eyes. What a delightful read!