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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Even though this book was exquisitely written ,and it was refreshing to read something different; it lacked that certain "x" factor. Despite of that i enjoyed the book thoroughly. Looking forward to reading other works from the author.
This was a very cool story about the old America, 1870.
It was a really creative way to show different cultures and what was going on around that time period. I also love the relationship that forms between the captain and Johanna.
Johanna is a German immigrants daughter whose family was killed by Indians, she was taken in by them and raised as there own before being sold and ending up in the care of the captain.
He is tasked with bring her across Texas to get to her distant relatives.
Different mannerisms, ways of life, and culture come into play through various points of the book.
Life was harder then and I enjoyed finding at least one person who was able to see how much this little girl had been through.
If you listened on audible the interview with the author after was amazing, i learned so many things and appreciate the research that was put into the book.
It was a really creative way to show different cultures and what was going on around that time period. I also love the relationship that forms between the captain and Johanna.
Johanna is a German immigrants daughter whose family was killed by Indians, she was taken in by them and raised as there own before being sold and ending up in the care of the captain.
He is tasked with bring her across Texas to get to her distant relatives.
Different mannerisms, ways of life, and culture come into play through various points of the book.
Life was harder then and I enjoyed finding at least one person who was able to see how much this little girl had been through.
If you listened on audible the interview with the author after was amazing, i learned so many things and appreciate the research that was put into the book.
In the winter of 1870, an elderly "news runner" was charged with a challenging task. He agreed to deliver a young girl who had been abducted by Kiowa Indians from Wichita Falls, Texas, to San Antonio in order for her to be reunited with her surviving family. This is a very touching little (200 page) story of duty and survival. I really enjoy reading books about this time period. Life was so different back then.
When I discovered that I was 30 pages from the end, I put the book down and refused to read any more. An unread book is an unfinished book and I couldn't bear the thought of finishing this one so soon. My resolve lasted for about 3 minutes.
adventurous
tense
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
Surprising, in that I actually liked a book club book for once! Besides the book that I picked (The Unit) and the one that my Mom choose (Station Eleven) all the other books that have been chosen I've either hated with the passion of 1000 suns (American Marriage) or yawned my way through (The Red Tent).
This was a really nice story and had a setting that I really enjoyed learning more about. The survival aspects to the story also made this a win for me, some truly harrowing stuff happens in here. The America South in the 1800's is seriously no joke, and the author does a great job making us feel how scary, unpredictable, and fraught this time period really was.
The main character was a complex character, yet still a hero you could root for and the relationship between him and the little girl was lovely. However, both the characters and their relationship did feel somewhat simplistic and could have used more development.
In the end, I liked it. And as far as book-club picks are concerned, that means a lot!
This was a really nice story and had a setting that I really enjoyed learning more about. The survival aspects to the story also made this a win for me, some truly harrowing stuff happens in here. The America South in the 1800's is seriously no joke, and the author does a great job making us feel how scary, unpredictable, and fraught this time period really was.
The main character was a complex character, yet still a hero you could root for and the relationship between him and the little girl was lovely. However, both the characters and their relationship did feel somewhat simplistic and could have used more development.
In the end, I liked it. And as far as book-club picks are concerned, that means a lot!
This is a heartwarming story set in post Civil War Texas that follows the adventures and developing bond between a grizzled old veteran and a little girl who was raised by Native Americans after the rest of her immediate family was murdered. While the two characters are seemingly so different on the surface, they are ultimately both people who are struggling to adjust and find their new place in a rapidly changing world while fighting to stay true to their own sense of self and values. Their relationship develops into one of mutual respect and trust that is very sweet. I found the ending a bit anticlimactic (after the cowboy shootouts & etc), but ultimately the book left me with a sense of optimism that makes it well worth the read. Like the Captain knowing when to deliver a 'fluff piece' of news from a far-away place to his restless audience, Paulette Jiles has delivered a refreshing feel-good story that will restore your faith in humanity, in spite of the current 'news of the world.'
Set in 1870, this book really reminded me of the movie, "True Grit." It is a great western--a tale of a reluctant hero whose noble nature forces him out of retirement of a sort and into an active role as a protector of a young girl. The girl is no sweetie-pie: She's being returned to her family of origin by the Kiowa tribe who killed her parents and baby sister and took her captive when she was 6. But she's completely assimilated to the tribe, and at 10, only wants to return to what has been a happy life with them. Her rescuer, a former army man who is now in his 70s, has been making a living doing public readings of newspapers in Texas towns. In the course of the book, I learned a lot about post-Civil-War Texas, and the strong political divisions reminded me of our own times. Jiles creates an exciting ambush scene with real bad guys and serious consequences if the Captain is unable to prevail. She also makes the young girl's plight believable and affecting.
slow-paced
This one really stuck with me. Lovely book and well developed characters!