News of the World

Synopsis: It’s 1870, and Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd is traveling through north Texas, giving live readings of the news to the local citizens. For a dime, they are entertained by a dramatic reading, and hearing the “news of the world” that is so hard to come by. A widower, the Captain has lived through three wars, and fought in two, and now enjoys his solitary, rootless life. In Wichita Falls he is offered a $50 dollar gold piece to return a young orphan girl to her relatives in San Antonio. Johanna had been kidnapped by Kiowa raiders four years earlier, while the remainder of her family was killed. She is then “rescued” from her native home by the US Army, and the Captain is persuaded to take her on the 400 mile journey to her aunt and uncle.

Review: This was not a long book, but it certainly covers a lot of territory both literally and figuratively. When the Captain takes on the duty of escorting Johanna to her aunt and uncle, he does not realize that she has forgotten how to speak English, will try to escape at any chance, and is defiant about trying to keep her new identity as a Kiowa. Gradually though, they build a bond of trust and a relationship akin to grandfather and granddaughter. What an odd buddy/road trip story! Naturally, they encounter lots of dangerous situations: brigands, white slavers, unfriendly natural elements and such. They manage to evade all this, and at times Johanna is as much his savior as Captain is hers. The growth of their relationship is the real story here, and it’s masterfully told. Johanna begins to see his kindness and wisdom, and the Captain learns to see her strength and intelligence. I was seriously moved by this novel, and if you are the type that is prone to tears, get your Kleenex ready. Paulette Jiles did an exceptional job of conjuring a place and time. If you like historical fiction, this was fantastic.

Rating: 5/5

Recipe: I’m taking some liberties with this selection, because Captain Kidd certainly did not have aluminum foil to cook things in over a campfire! But if he did, he and Johanna would certainly have enjoyed this Tex-Mex foil pack dinner.

Ingredients:

3 small chicken breasts

1 cup quick cooking rice

1 cup water

1 packet taco seasoning

1/3 cup salsa

1/2 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese

1 cup bell pepper slice into thin strips

1/4 cup sliced onion

1/2 cup black beans

1 tablespoon olive oil

lime cut into wedges

1) combine the rice, water and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning in a medium bowl and let soak for 5 minutes.

2) Divide between 3 sheets of foil

3) Pound chicken breast thin, and season with taco seasoning. Place chicken on top of the rice. top with a few tablespoons of salsa and a sprinkle of cheese.

4). Add the vegetables and beans on the sides of the chicken.

5) Drizzle with olive oil and fold up the foil packet, sealing tightly.

6) Cook over campfire/grill for 30-35 minutes, or in a 400 degree oven if you prefer.

7) Chicken is done when internal temp is 165 degrees. Squeeze with fresh lime juice and serve with sour cream, cilantro or garnish of your choice.