How did you respond to Jiles' depiction of life in Texas in the 1870s?
Created: 07/26/17
Replies: 21
Join Date: 10/15/10
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I found it easy to relate to the turmoil that was Texas at that time. The author acknowledged the Native Americans, the Hispanics, the bandits, lawlessness, politics, and other agitating forces in that time period. I was easily transported into that world.
Join Date: 03/13/12
Posts: 548
I knew from my university history classes that Jiles had done her research, and some of the towns and cities she mentioned still have some areas that seem far removed from modern civilization. At first I was bothered by her lack of punctuation - as Cormac McCarthy writes, without punctuation marks and describing the dialogue rather than trying to make it seem to come from the character his or her self. But as with some of McCarthy's books, I eventually got ast that and got "into" the story.
Join Date: 06/07/17
Posts: 76
To be honest, I'd never been particularly interested in Texas history until this book opened my eyes and piqued my interest in the Lone Star State and conditions of the United States as they were during this time. Jiles successfully propelled me back to those days, that era with it's complexities of mixed cultures, politics, economic growth, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I could easily see myself reading more about the western frontier and the New South during this time.
Join Date: 07/10/14
Posts: 72
I found her descriptions very realistic and thorough. Having just returned from a trip to Texas Hill Country her description of that area brought me right back. The writing enables you to picture the scenery, the conflicts and the hardships during that time without having to be a history buff.
Join Date: 07/29/14
Posts: 62
Most of it was quite new to me as I had not been exposed to this particular time period in Texas history before reading this book. I found it all to be very interesting-quite an eye opener actually-and I'm convinced of its accuracy based on many of the former comments on Jiles' research.
Join Date: 04/29/11
Posts: 26
Complete surprise! I have never read a thourough description of life in the southern states after the war, only stories of how some negroes coped. The lawlessness was unimaginable and the Captain, aware of this, is doubly commended for taking on this task.
Join Date: 04/03/17
Posts: 40
From my travels in Texas, and exposure to the folks, history continues today. In an evolutionary positive modern way. And the way Jiles describes life, it is quite believable. I especially like how Kidd goes back to family at the end.
Join Date: 05/16/16
Posts: 149
I agree that you could tell Jiles did her homework. What a difficult political time. It seemed dangerous to have any public gathering. Throw in some gunslingers and life was dangerous! Makes for a rich atmosphere to set a book.
Join Date: 02/05/16
Posts: 362
I too confess to knowing little (and caring less) about Texas history until I read this novel, which transported me there with the author 's descriptions of landscape woven so gracefully into the action, and through the plot bringing together so many elements that were part of the volatile mix in this place and time. I think she chose her setting for its parallels with America today. At least she highlighted many of them as important parts of the story.
Join Date: 08/23/11
Posts: 73
I thought it was great. I spend winters in Texas and have been to many of those little towns in the Texas Hill Country and I could picture just where she was talking about. I think she was very authentic in depicting how life was then.
Join Date: 08/03/17
Posts: 6
As a relatively new citizen of the state of Texas, I thought the historical aspect of the book was really interesting. I certainly wouldn't say I have a definite grasp of Texans and their history but I've been told many things that were right in line with the author's depiction of the time. As someone who was also never previously interested in Texas history, I might actually want to look some things up and find out more info after reading this book!
Join Date: 02/11/16
Posts: 60
I have never been to Texas. I don't like Westerns. I was surprised by just how lawless it was. But it was fascinating. Only a hundred and fifty years ago, but it says in the novel that "there was anarchy" and that "every man did what was right in his own eyes."
I love being able to learn about some new place or time while reading a novel where I'm engaged by the plot and rooting for the characters. This really hit the spot for me.
Join Date: 05/29/15
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Join Date: 06/25/14
Posts: 82
Jiles' brilliant writing and vivid descriptions placed me right in Texas with Captain Kidd and Johanna! I loved imagining the wild Texan landscape with raging flooding rivers, rugged mountains and dry scrub grass. The isolated towns that they traveled through in 1870 were fascinating as well, populated with both kind gentle people but also with many rough and dangerous men. Any novel that can place me in the midst of its story is a winner!
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Join Date: 08/23/11
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I though she was very realistic. I really was interested in the fact that people wanted to stay with the Indian way of life even though they had been held as captives for a short time. I read "The Captives", which was mentioned at the end of her book, and it was really interesting and intriguing. I have been through the hill country of Texas and can just picture the things that happened in her book.
Join Date: 03/29/16
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