![]() ![]() 3 at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville (82). Jiles talks about her book at 7 p.m. Oct. “News of the World” is a perfect little novel. While its structure is simple, there’s not one false or missed note in Jiles’ creation of character, atmosphere, and detail. Its faith in show-don’t-tell narrative achieves subtlety. ![]() Johanna has been bathed by the un-shy ladies of Lottie’s establishment in Wichita Falls and made to wear a cage-like dress with a hem that drags in the mud. From there, the journey’s surprises take all kinds of turns, with as much anti-melodrama as melodrama, and with surges of feeling. ![]() The old man and the girl start their journey in Chapter 4, on page 31. Walking alongside Kidd’s wagon, Johanna sings “Ausay gya kii, gyao boi tol,” to herself - “prepare for a hard winter.” Courage to do without is a Kiowa trait. Kidd has taken on the job of delivering Johanna to an aunt and uncle in San Antonio, 400 miles away. Johanna, four years a captive, is thoroughly possessed of Kiowa skills, beliefs and psychology. A 10-year-old girl, Johanna, rescued in 1870 from Kiowa Indians, enters our hearts in Paulette Jiles’ new novel “News of the World” (William Morrow). Johanna also captures the heart of her protector, 71-year-old Captain Kidd, who crisscrosses Texas reading world news to remote audiences. ![]()
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