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A review by jbeen21
Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles
3.0
I enjoyed "News of the World," so I was excited to read Paulette Jiles' new historical fiction novel, "Simon the Fiddler." Unfortunately, despite some unique secondary characters and vivid descriptions of Texas during the Civil War, this was a very slow read.
"Simon the Fiddler" follows Simon, a youthful-looking 23-year-old musician who, until the story begins, has been able to avoid conscription. His luck runs out in Texas. Fortunately, his fiddling talent keeps him safe, and eventually, along with his three band mates, he leaves the Confederate Army without being properly discharged. The group travels around Texas, performing music and trying to scrape together a living. Simon meets and falls in love with Doris, an Irish governess, and most of the story is devoted to his efforts to re-unite himself with her.
"Simon the Fiddler" is a slow, romantic, beautifully-written book set during a tumultuous time in history. If it hadn't taken so long for me to get into the story, I would've enjoyed it more.
Thank you to Edelwiss, William Morrow, and Paulette Jiles for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book!
"Simon the Fiddler" follows Simon, a youthful-looking 23-year-old musician who, until the story begins, has been able to avoid conscription. His luck runs out in Texas. Fortunately, his fiddling talent keeps him safe, and eventually, along with his three band mates, he leaves the Confederate Army without being properly discharged. The group travels around Texas, performing music and trying to scrape together a living. Simon meets and falls in love with Doris, an Irish governess, and most of the story is devoted to his efforts to re-unite himself with her.
"Simon the Fiddler" is a slow, romantic, beautifully-written book set during a tumultuous time in history. If it hadn't taken so long for me to get into the story, I would've enjoyed it more.
Thank you to Edelwiss, William Morrow, and Paulette Jiles for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book!